This week we meet and learn from Melissa Gilbo of Women’s Business League.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Melissa as she tells us that networking doesn’t have to be so scary, about how we can make networking easier, how to take the leap to start a new business, and even gives us some marketing suggestions.

Contact links

Melissa Gilbo

[email protected]

https://womensbusinessleague.com/

https://linktr.ee/Melissa_Gilbo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagilbo/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-gilbo/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/womensbusinessleague/

Other links

Amy Pocsik, co-founder Women’s Business League:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amypocsik/

Flatbreads - Georgetown:  https://americanflatbread.com/locations/georgetown-ma/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Scott Winters of CNA Stores.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Scott as he tells us about music in his life, a massive motorcycle accident that changed his life, working to not only legalize but to stand behind cannabis locally, and his life working with CNA Stores CEO and Founder Rob DiFazio.  We learn about marketing and hiring at a cannabis shop and also all of the philanthropic work they do for our community.

Contact links

Scott Winters

[email protected]

https://www.cnastores.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cnastores/

Other links

River Street Cafe

METRC

Mayor Kassandra Gove

VNEOC

Amesbury Industrial

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Tim O’Neil of Bigfoot Waterproofing.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Tim as he tells us all about their marketing plans, employee appreciation (which may or may not involve hugs), as well as the fact that it can be the smallest of things to ensure the best customer experiences.  Tim may have even created a new segment, Voices After Dark, where we dug deep into Tim’s thoughts on the podcast, how he’d like to see Ben video things for him at AFA, and asked all the deep insurance questions that John loves to hear.

Contact links

Tim O’Neil

(978) 338-4545

https://www.bigfootwaterproofing.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bigfootwaterproofing/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BigfootConsultantsLLC

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUu6X95yNssBk5nDrDmQyCg

Other links

603 Basement Solutions

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Ken Michienzi, founder and CEO of The Merrimack Company.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Ken as he tells us about giving up a life in major technology companies like Apple and Tesla, to found his environmentally responsible apparel company that focuses on community, nature and adventure.  Not only do we talk about the highs and lows so far with his new company, but we also learn about his massive, long-term vision.  World domination visions is something all of us business people should think about for our own businesses!

Contact links

Ken Michienzi

https://themerrimackcompany.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/themerrimackcompany/

Retail location:  Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson St. 4th Floor, Lowell, MA. 01852

Other links

15% Discount Code:  cleanfifteen

The School for Field Studies

Patagonia & Yvon Chouinard

Frank H. Cann

Drive by Daniel H. Pink

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

Although we took a bit of a hiatus, Voices From The Valley is back for Season 2.  

During Season 1, hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chatted with a number of business people from the Merrimack Valley and learned about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship from the people that lived them.  Season 2 will have more of the same.

During this preview episode, John and Ben talk all things from what they’ve learned hosting a podcast and things they are currently facing in their businesses as well as topics like haunted lakes  and getting hyped up on Mountain Dew.  Be sure to keep an eye out for all of the Season 2 episodes that will be dropping soon!

Contact links

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Dr. Allison DiSalvo, owner and treating physician at The Body Remedy.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Dr. Allie as she tells us about going out on her own as the pandemic was changing up the world of chiropractic care.  Dr. Allie talks about having to lean on other people in her network to get the business up and running.  Not to mention, you might be surprised as this chiropractor is not all about the popping and cracking!

Contact links

Dr. Allie DiSalvo

https://www.thebodyremedyma.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebodyremedyma/

Phone: 978-231-9032

Email:  [email protected]

Other links

SLS Fitness - https://www.slsfitness.com/

F45 - https://f45training.com/northandover/home

Salon Metta - https://www.salonmetta.com/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Jon Almas, founder of Aeropex Media Creative.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Jon as he tells us about leaving a corporate career and starting his business.  He has gone from a video production company to now including marketing strategy as a core focus for his clients.  We dig into why companies need to focus more on the strategy than the actual tactics.

Contact links

Jon Almas

https://www.aeropexmediacreative.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/am_creative_marketing/

Phone:  978-464-8895

Email:  [email protected]

Other links

Amesbury Chamber of Commerce - https://amesburychamber.com/

Newburyport Chamber of Commerce - https://www.newburyportchamber.org/

Matt Forcier - https://www.lmv-productions.com/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Zach Field, owner & instructor at Zach Field Drums & Music.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of AFA Auto Repair chat with Zach as he tells us that he’s on this planet to perform and to teach.  But along the way of building this business with 30+ instructors and over 600 students, he needs to dig into the weeds like any other business person.  We talk about systems, hiring & firing, mergers & acquisitions, etc.  But that’s not all.  We talk about his new performance space and a teaching software that he is launching.

Contact links

Zach Field

https://zachfielddrumsandmusic.com/

https://www.thespacezfdm.com/

https://www.drumroom.io/home

Phone:  (978) 462-1100

Email:  [email protected]

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/zachfielddrumsandmusic/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/zachfielddrumsandmusic

Other links

The Music Mill Manchester - https://manchestermusicmill.com/

Blue Man Group - https://www.blueman.com/

Percussive Arts Society International Convention - https://pasic.org/

https://www.score.org/

Dave DiCenso - https://davedicenso.com/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://afaautorepair.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Anthony Tomacchio, co-owner of Loaded.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of Amesbury Foreign Auto chat with Anthony as he tells us about all of the ups and downs of starting a business in another state then coming back home and co-founding two restaurant concepts.  But through it all, never being satisfied and always having the next idea on the horizon.

Contact links

Anthony Tomacchio

https://loadedfoodgroup.com/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/getloadedhaverhill/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088561870694

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprimalfooddude/

Other links

Stacks Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/feedmestacks/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://amesburyforeignauto.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959

This week we meet and learn from Gerald Schiavoni of Five Point Strategies & Merrimack Valley Eats.  Hosts John Bachmann of Norwood Insurance Agency and Ben Tallberg of Amesbury Foreign Auto chat with Gerald as he tells us about going from contributing to local Facebook town pages, to starting one of his own with close friends, to seeing the audience grow to over 60,000 members!  We learn all about the struggles related to being a restaurateur but also some avenues to seek help when starting out in this space.

Contact links

Gerald Schiavoni

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mveats/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hungrybeyondboston/

Post about the Rusty Can in Byfield:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mveats/permalink/1926744990838542/

Haverhill Small Business Support Links:  https://www.haverhillbusinessportal.com/support-programs

https://www.score.org/

Alpine Butcher in Lowell TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@alpinebutcher

Simon Sinek Start With Why:  https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/

John Bachmann

https://www.norwoodinsurance.com/

Phone:  978-372-5921

Ben Tallberg

https://amesburyforeignauto.com/

Phone:  978-388-5959