Vermonters In Business

Kate Robinson - Wild Birch Design

Co-hosts Drew Kinney and Travis Spencer welcome Kate Robinson, founder of Wild Birch Design, to the podcast. Kate shares her journey from upstate New York to Vermont, a move inspired by her family’s search for more inclusive educational opportunities for her brother with cerebral palsy. In the Vermonter Hot Seat, Kate reveals some of her Vermont favorites—from waffles with Baird Farm maple syrup and summer days on Lake Dunmore to meals at Crooked Ram and a maple-strawberry creamy from Canteen Creemee Company. Kate discusses the launch of Wild Birch Design in 2020 and her transition from healthcare into the world of hospitality, interior design, and landscape horticulture. She explains how thoughtful design influences the way people experience spaces and why creating authentic, memorable environments is more important than ever for vacation rentals, event venues, and boutique hotels. The conversation explores branding unique properties, avoiding trendy design mistakes, building local partnerships, balancing aesthetics with durability and accessibility, and making strategic improvements that deliver a return on investment. Kate also shares insights on entrepreneurship, finding community in Vermont, and how guest expectations have evolved toward more experience-driven stays. Episode Highlights * Why Kate moved to Vermont * The story behind Wild Birch Design * Designing spaces that create memorable guest experiences * Branding vacation rentals, venues, and boutique hospitality properties * Avoiding gimmicks and design trends that don't last * Prioritizing accessibility, durability, and functionality * Making smart upgrades with ROI in mind Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Show 01:26 Meet Kate Robinson 02:44 Vermonter Hot Seat 04:57 Wild Birch Origin Story 17:47 Starting the Business 18:49 Finding Your Community 20:52 Branding Unique Venues 23:21 Avoiding Gimmicky Decor 24:18 Handling Difficult Clients 27:27 Budgeting for ROI Upgrades 29:47 Recommendations and Wrap-Up

Fiddlehead Brewing - Matt Cohen

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Cohen, owner of Fiddlehead Brewing Company. Matt shares the story of how he got started the lessons he's picked up along the way, and what's next for the business.Whether you're a fellow entrepreneur, a curious Vermonter, or just someone who loves a good business story, we think you'll find something to take away from this one. If you enjoy the conversation, please like this video and subscribe. It genuinely helps us bring more Vermont stories to the channel. Hit the bell so you don't miss the next episode.Thanks for watching, and thanks for supporting Vermont business.

Vermont Doula Company- Mary Kate Spiegler and Haley Parizo

The Vermont Doula Company on Birth, Postpartum Support & Building Vermont’s Only Doula AgencyCo-hosts Drew Kinney and Travis Spencer welcome Mary Kate and Haley from the Vermont Doula Company to discuss their paths to Vermont, their work as birth and postpartum doulas, and what doulas do as non-medical professionals providing physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. They explain common myths—such as doulas being only for unmedicated births or confusing doulas with midwives—and describe how support can range from days to months, sometimes longer. The founders share how Island Doula grew into the Vermont Doula Company, now in its fifth year with 12–15 team members, offering birth, postpartum, education, and in-house massage. They highlight their employee-based model, team/partner approach for continuity, leadership growth, challenges like staffing sustainability and burnout, and future goals including training, a podcast, consulting, and improving access to doula care.00:00 Show Welcome00:41 Hot Take Healthcare01:20 Meet The Guests01:47 Haley Vermont Journey02:54 Vermonter Hot Seat06:18 Vermont Doula Origin09:39 What Is A Doula12:24 Postpartum Support Gap14:23 Who Needs A Doula16:31 Doula Myths Busted17:58 Hands On Doula Support19:12 Holistic Care And Referrals19:53 Employee Based Agency Model20:56 Two Doula Team Approach22:59 Growing As Leaders24:40 Lessons And Hard Years27:16 Staffing And Burnout28:48 Boundaries And Debriefs30:34 Repeat Clients And Business Reality32:47 Future Plans And Training35:39 Guest Suggestions And Wrap Up

Molly Mitchell, Founder and Artistic Director of Stowe Children's

Join us for a conversation with Molly Mitchell, Founder and Artistic Director of Stowe Children's Theatre, LLC. Originally from Pocatello, Idaho and now based in Stowe, Vermont, Molly has dedicated her career to creating meaningful theatre experiences for young performers.In this episode, Molly shares:Her journey to founding Stowe Children's TheatreRecently earning her Master's Degree in Education with an endorsement in Theatre Arts — a long-held personal dreamA behind-the-scenes look at Stowe Children's Theatre's summer programsA special spotlight on the high school production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown"Why theatre arts education matters for kids and teensWhether you're a parent, educator, young performer, or theatre lover, you won't want to miss Molly's passion for the stage and the next generation of storytellers.📍 Learn more about Stowe Children's Theatre:🌐 Website: www.stowechildrenstheatre.com📧 Email: stowechildrenstheatre@gmail.com📞 Phone: (802) 730-4158📮 731 Worcester Loop Rd, Stowe, VT 05672#StoweChildrensTheatre #YouthTheatre #VermontArts #TheatreEducation #YoureAGoodManCharlieBrown #CommunityTheatre #ArtsEducation

Valerie Sodano - Jericho Country Store

Co-hosts Drew Kinney and Travis Spencer welcome Valerie, owner of the Jericho Country Store, and discuss her path from running a bed and breakfast to buying Vermont’s oldest continuously operating country store (opened in 1807). Valerie describes what the store offers—deli sandwiches, grill items, creemees, gifts, groceries, beverages, beer and natural wines, and gas—and emphasizes her role as a steward for the community. They cover seasonality, competition with larger chains, staffing challenges, rising costs, and the complexities of managing aging gas pumps and tanks, including required training and upfront fuel purchases. Valerie shares updates she’s made to refresh and reorganize the historic space, notes the impact of the post office leaving in 2024, and outlines plans for more community events, catering, and prepared dinners.00:00 Show Welcome02:39 Finding Vermont08:15 Buying The Store13:48 Must Try Items24:34 Lessons Learned and Advice28:09 Avoiding Burnout28:41 Support Local Stores28:51 Guest Suggestions Wrap29:35 Final Thanks Outro