- 40 minutes 21 secondsMichele Asch / Twincraft SkincareMichele Asch is the kind of leader who builds things… and then helps others do the same. As Chief People Officer at Twincraft Skincare, she's part of the team making Vermont a legitimate hub for skincare innovation, manufacturing premium products for over 150 brands across North America. Outside of Twincraft, Michele invests in startups by putting real capital behind Vermont founders who are building something that matters. This one's for anyone who believes Vermont is a place where innovation actually happens.
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7 May 2026, 12:00 pm - 29 minutes 19 secondsKevin LeSage / SearchLightIf there’s an entrepreneur to watch right now, it’s Kevin LeSage. He’s the founder of SearchLight, an analytics platform bringing a clear, unbiased view to return on ad spend and showing contractors which leads actually turn into booked jobs. He’s taken a different path to get here, choosing to learn inside other businesses before building his own. From marketing and corporate sales to business development and a family business foundation, Kevin brings a wide-angle view to what it takes to grow something that lasts. No matter your industry or stage, this episode is a reminder to stay close to the work, trust the data, and keep building with an expert team.
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16 April 2026, 10:00 am - 45 minutes 37 secondsJason Levinthal / J SkisJason “J” Levinthal started making skis in his parents' garage at the age of 24. After founding a company, seeing it acquired, and realizing he wasn’t built to sit still, he launched J Skis, a direct-to-skier brand creating hand-crafted, limited-edition skis. With a background in brand marketing, J’s goal is to turn heads on the mountain and beyond, from brand partnerships to collaborations with musicians. He’s been through nearly every lesson that shapes a founder. Tune in, clip in, strap in. No matter how you ride, lock in.
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2 April 2026, 10:00 am - 50 minutes 25 secondsJason Wilbur / WILBURJason Wilbur is the founder of Wilbur, a luxury watch company. He joins the show to talk about what it really takes to break from the expected and build something entirely your own. After leading advanced design at Honda, Jason walked away to create what he calls “mechanized art”— a bold reimagining of luxury rooted in craftsmanship, rebellion, and individuality. Inspired by the counterculture of snowboarding and skateboarding, he shares a candid look at building a brand with edge, navigating the realities of high-cost hardware innovation, and embracing the “creative survival” mindset required to keep going. Don’t skip this one.
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19 March 2026, 10:00 am - 48 minutes 31 secondsJulie Jatlow / FuseJulie Jatlow is truly a queen. She is one of the owners of Fuse, a teen and young adult marketing agency helping brands reach the younger generation. Julie explains everything from working with the world’s biggest brands to strategies centered on youth culture, sports, and experiential marketing. There are so many good tips and stories in here. Take notes!
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5 March 2026, 3:57 pm - 35 minutes 3 secondsChelsea Bardot Lewis / VBSR
We sat down with our friend Chelsea Bardot Lewis, the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). She’s steering VBSR into its next chapter by doubling down on in-person connection, pragmatic advocacy around housing, healthcare, workforce, and climate resilience, and building a stronger, more generous Vermont business ecosystem! We loved hearing her passion for the workforce in this state. This is one that e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e should listen to.
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19 February 2026, 5:20 pm - 42 minutes 55 secondsDavid Aronoff / MCJWe sat down with our dear friend David Aronoff, managing partner at MCJ, one of the leading early-stage climate tech venture funds. David brings decades of venture experience, from building rocketship startups to investing at top firms like Greylock and Flybridge. What sets MCJ apart is its unconventional approach: no board seats, no led rounds, just relentless focus on portfolio support powered by a massive community of talent. With deep roots in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, a passion for durable companies, and a clear-eyed view on everything from AI bubbles to Vermont’s innovation ecosystem, David offers sharp insights for founders, investors, and anyone serious about climate solutions.
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15 January 2026, 8:21 pm - 37 minutes 45 secondsSam Holland / InformalToday, we sit down with our friend Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal. Sam is a hardware builder at his core, but has a rare talent for making it feel inviting to all. He’s built everything from brain scanners to burrito holders, and brings that same creativity to the meetups he hosts. He also brings a healthy dose of humor to every conversation. If you’re exploring hardware or considering launching a hardware company…or oblivious to it all and want to give it a try, this episode is a great place to start.
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2 December 2025, 3:00 pm - 47 minutes 51 secondsPhil Beauregard / Impellent VenturesWith a background that spans startups, exits, and investing, Phil Beauregard brings raw energy, humility, and a deep belief that world-changing ideas can come from anywhere. He’s an Ivy League grad, ex-investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. Now, managing partner at Impellent Ventures, Phil and his team focus on uncovering the next unicorns in emerging regions, from overlooked cities to unexpected founders. This is one you don't want to miss.
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4 November 2025, 8:53 pm - 55 minutes 40 secondsAdam Farmer / The Farmer CompaniesAdam Farmer is the CEO of The Farmer Companies. Also known as the team behind Cabot Mac & Cheese, Nathan’s Beef Sticks, and Guinness Pretzel Pieces. He joins Start Here to talk about scaling in the food space, striking smart partnerships, and what it really takes to get snacks on shelves everywhere. If CPG is your thing, you gotta tune in.
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1 October 2025, 12:55 pm - 41 minutes 31 secondsTom MessnerYou probably know him well. Whether from NBC5, the Lake Monsters field, or VT Startup News, Tom Messner is (smiling) everywhere. In this episode of Start Here, we explore his passion for Vermont’s entrepreneurial scene, his commitment to investing locally, and even unravel the mystery of weather balloons.
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