Western Mass Business Show on 5.23.26

Western Mass Business Show on 5.16.26 – Paradise City Arts

Join us as we hear from the new owners of Paradise City Arts, Elana Churnick Kritz and Mariah Swanson. They are not strangers to the arts and have developed quite a name for themselves in the art world before taking over the helm at PCA. A 30-year legacy is a hard ship to Captain, but they are taking it in stride and as a team. Please attend PCA on May 23-25 at the 3 County Fairgrounds, go to www.paradisecityarts.com for more information, times, food, and music schledue. Tune in for the surprise news, artist line up, and new showstoppers. Thank you for joining us in the excitement and fun of our local arts, business, and non-profit community.

Western Mass Business Show on 5.9.26

Join us as we speak to Jennifer Derringer (Managing Attorney of the Franklin and Hampshire County) and Tom Navin (Development Director) from Community Legal Aid to learn about their 75 years of helping people across the state get legal services at, they would otherwise not be able to afford (or the system easily navigated). Started in 1951, as Western MA Legal Services, the focus has been on low income, elders, housing, benefits, immigration, elder law, Cori, re-entry, and custody proceedings. With over 200+ staff members the organization has grown significantly over the past decade partially due to increased need and partially due to the housing crisis. Listen in as we learn about this amazing community resource from some of its dedicated staff.

https://communitylegal.org/

Western Mass Business Show on 5.2.26 – Kisha Zullo

Join us as we speak to Kisha Zullo, Founder of Events of Joy and the Women in Business Summit now in its 21st year. Kisha has been an Event Planner for over 20-years. She talks about the ins and outs of event planning and what it means for small businesses to make an impact like a large institution. As a Certified Meeting Planner, she is constantly working on gaining more knowledge for her clients. She looks for saving money and hidden items omitted and needing to be included into contracts. As a part of Meeting Professionals International in Connecticut, she brings events to the Northeast region and since 2025 internationally as well. Listen in as we hear about the upcoming Women in Business Summit in September and how hiring an event planner can give you back the much-needed time and mental capacity that you need to achieve your goals for your next event. Thank you for coming on Kisha and to our listeners for tuning in.

www.eventsofjoy.com

Western Mass Business Show on 4.18.26 – She Is

Join us as we talk about insurance and events through the eyes of Jenny MacKay and Regina Burns Murphy. Jenny is a Senior Vice President at the Alera Group specializing in employee benefits consulting and Regina is the Director of Sales and Marketing at Wycoff Country Club and Owner of Rise Event Production. Both joined forces to fight against misuse of words and mislabeling of women by creating She is…she is a brand and movement challenging labels that women are given at work and beyond. The core idea behind this effort is to acknowledge the behavior but change the label because labels can impact opportunity. For example, promotions, recognition, accolades, and relationships. The flip it movement encourages people to think before they label someone and to recognize that language shapes perception. They want to be hired to speak at conferences, put on a workshop for your company, or purchase their merchandise to spark a conversation. Check out www.allsheis.com to learn more about this incredible movement.

Western Mass Business Show on 4.11.26 – Irida Kakhtiranova

Join us as we speak with Irida Kakhtiranova, the Perogi Lady. Her business P’frogi has been in the 413 for the past 7 years and is a familiar face around the region. Along with her husband Brian and their three kids this business has thrived because of the amazing quality of her products and the support of the community, special shout out to Ben Clark and Monte Belmonte. P’frogi features pierogies, golumkies, and other seasonal treats depending on the week and the venue they are popping up at. Find their products in retail locations throughout Western MA by going to their website www.pfrogi.com. Also, on the farmers market and fair circuit be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Irida there as well. Hopefully with a successful season the trailer that she recently purchased will be outfitted and ready to roll in the coming year. As Irida likes to say, one step at a time.

Western Mass Business Show on 4.4.26 – Angela Park

Join us as we speak with Angela Park the Executive Director of 52 Sumner in Springfield. They are a 501(c)(3) performing arts venue. They want to bring the arts back in a more accessible way to Springfield. In their building, they have the Springfield Community Theatre of Massachusetts and can rent the venue out to a variety of places, activities, and events. From weddings to concerts to fundraisers, they are drawing from a wide geographic area and creating economic development for the region. Cofounder Dan Mckellick was also instrumental in getting this project off the ground. The attractiveness of 52 Sumner is that they are an accessible and easy venue to engage with, there is free parking and easy on and off the highway with police escorts to cross the street into the venue. Listen in as we hear of upcoming shows, and the stories of what it takes to create something new for the community that you love. www.52sumner.com

Western Mass Business Show on 3.28.26 – Good Dog Spot

www.gooddogspot.net

Sometimes people know what they are going to do with their lives in the third grade. That is exactly what Elizabeth Staples knew. Since then, she had wanted to be involved with animals and working at a kennel as a teen and in her 20s solidified her dream of having her own business one day. She opened her first location in Chicopee in 2007, shortly thereafter she met her husband Corey Staples in 2009, and they decided to make it a family affair having him join her in the business in 2013 so they could begin to build their family and business lives together more seamlessly. The Good Dog Spot opened a second location in Northampton and has been going strong on King Street since then. Listen in as we hear all the ways that TGDS provides care for your pet members of the family. Whether it’s training or boarding or daycare or grooming, your animals will be well taken care of here (cats too). Check out the webcam with the 360-degree videos on their website for a better view into the operations and care you will receive at TGDS.

Western Mass Business Show On 3.21.26

Join us as we learn from 2 powerhouse women who have local businesses and heart to back them up. Meghan has been in marketing and branding for over 20 years and the owner of Chik Media for 14+. One of her long-time clients is Ann Bronner owner of Summerlin Floors in Amherst who tells us a story of perseverance and strength. Join us as we laugh and cry over family, community, struggles in business, and what it means to survive. www.summmerlinfloors.com www.chikmedia.us

Western Mass Business Show on 3.14.26 – Kate Riley

Kate Riley grew up in WMA going in and out of houses as a foster child, did she ever think she would end up in real estate, probably not. With a background in property/causality insurance and recruiting she had the listening skills and mindset to survive and thrive, and that’s exactly what she’s done. Her husband Nick, a broker and business owner himself, gave her the push in Covid that she needed to get her license and get into real estate. Making a difference and getting involved is very important to Kate and you can see it in her volunteer work. Join us as we learn more about Kate and why you need to call her to help you find your dream home, she will go the extra marathon for you and not even break a sweat. Check out here website to learn more, www.rileyhomerealty.com