The Founder Beat

Catalina Ruiz left Mexico with her husband 24 years ago and found a home in York. She eventually got a job at Just Cupcakes in Central Market and later took over the business and rebranded it to Cupcakes & More. In this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, Catalina talks about transitioning from a kindergarten teacher into a baker, the challenges of running a business based in Central Market (especially during the pandemic), and the inspiration behind some of her recent pop-up...

JT Hand served 22 years in the US Army before finding a job with the York Water Company, where he worked his way up to President and CEO in 2020. In this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, JT talks about how he managed York Water through the early days of the pandemic, how his military experience helped him lead a company, ways a 200-year-old business finds ways to be innovative, and more. About The Founder Beat Podcast The Founder Beat Podcast is a production of Our York Media. This...

Today we're chatting with York-based artist Dizz Gavins of Dripped Gawd. His work can be found on murals, mix-tape covers, and even on sneakers. He talks about finding financial freedom as a creative designer, his solution to managing apparel inventory, and his recent work with the York Revolution. Bonus: Rebecca learns what it means "to take an L." About The Founder Beat Podcast The Founder Beat Podcast is a production of Our York Media. This episode was hosted by Rebecca Hanlon and...

On this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, we sit down with Molly Halbert, owner of m.elene. She talks about the challenges of running a boutique clothing shop in downtown York, balancing her time as a single mother and entrepreneur, and the importance — and benefits — of engaging with your community. About The Founder Beat Podcast The Founder Beat Podcast is a production of Our York Media. This episode was hosted by Rebecca Hanlon and produced by Brady Pappas and Will Hanlon. For more...

Since starting his hospitality career as a busboy and dishwasher more than 25 years ago, Michael Blum worked his way up to the top of the industry, managing hotels around the country before eventually being tapped as the general manager of the iconic Yorktowne Hotel. He talks about the challenges of marketing a hotel that isn’t open yet, how a hotel that’s almost 100 years old can be innovative, and the importance of “good, old-fashioned hospitality.” About The Founder Beat Podcast The...

On this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, we sit down with Michelle Wright of Luxe and Mane Salon. After initially considering a career in nursing, Michelle enrolled in beauty school shortly after moving to York and earned her cosmetology license. She worked for a handful of salons after graduation before opening her own shop in 2015. Business came to a halt in 2020 when the pandemic forced her to shut her doors, and a building fire later that year made her comeback all the more...

On this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, we sit down with Anthony Billet, founder and president of abSketches — the company behind renderings you might have seen of the Yorktowne Hotel, York History Center, and the Codorus Creek Beautification Initiative and plenty more you probably haven't seen in New York and across the globe. He talks about the challenges of starting and growing a company, managing employees, adding services, and his vision for what's next for his business. About...

On this episode of The Founder Beat Podcast, we sit down with Chelsea Foster, who helped make The Grotto co-working space come to life in downtown York in 2019. She talks about the early challenges of getting it going, how the The Grotto's fulfilling its mission to be a community center, and a little bit of what The Grotto might be 50 years from now. About The Founder Beat Podcast The Founder Beat Podcast is a production of Our York Media. This episode was hosted by Rebecca Hanlon and...

Mr. Bob Pullo’s career began back in 1958 when he left high school to become a messenger at the State Street Bank and Trust in Boston. He held various roles within the bank until 1976, after an unexpected layoff, when Mr. Pullo was recruited to be executive vice-president of the York Federal Savings and Loan based in York, Pennsylvania. He had no concept of York when he moved here with his wife, Donna, and their four children. Five years later, he became president of the bank. He...

What does it mean to love York? Like, really love York. All of York. ❤️ How might our community look if we loved both the thriving market district and the less-frequented blocks not too far away? How would the children who live there see themselves differently - if they knew they were loved? Richard Craighead chats with us about the meaning of agape love in the latest episode of The Our York Media Podcast. We hope you find it as thought-provoking as we did.

We chatted with Michael Muldrow, Commissioner of the York City Police Department, in the latest episode of The Our York Media Podcast. We learned about his career before joining the department, some of the many initiatives has has (and hopes) to get started, and why he's so into emojis.

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Rich Randall of New Level Advisors. They cover networking in the time of COVID, what it means to bring value to someone else, and why the businesses that make it through the pandemic will be those who dream big.

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with JJ Sheffer. They talk about opportunities that open up with virtual events; shifting her energy to advocating for independent music venues; still figuring out how to work from home; what to expect of events scheduled for next year; and a lot more. Here are some of the things JJ's involved with in and around York: • Kable House Presents • York Story Slam • York: Crafted • One to One • SkillSwap Thanks a lot for...

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Kevin Forry, the president of York Young Professionals. They talk about building friendships within YYP, the effect the organization has on the York community, and helping others say "yes" to opportunities. ⠀ • Special thanks to PeoplesBank for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more about what they can do for you here: https://www.peoplesbanknet.com/ ⠀ • This week's White Rose Award recipient: Meagan Given. Do...

• In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Brando Manuel Jaimes-Diaz, a York chef obsessed with infusing local products into Mexican cooking. They talk about how why his girlfriend spitting out a taco he made her ended up being a good thing, how Taste Taste turned around his culinary career, and his vision for his ideal restaurant in York. ⠀ • This week's White Rose Award recipient: Alyssa Rohrbaugh. Do you know someone who deserves some recognition?...

• In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Angie Garrison, a local advocate for Puerto Rico and its people. They talk about how what she does is different from traditional charity, how her trips to the island have evolved over time, and her passion for Puerto Rico, Puerto Ricans, and humanity in general. ⠀ • This week's White Rose Award recipient: Katie Hartman. Do you know someone who deserves some recognition? Nominate him or her today:...

• In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Dr. Monea Majeed, Racial Justice Coordinator at YWCA York. They talk about yoga as a megaphone for peace, why talking about racism is like talking about puberty with your parents, and her hope for York's future and how she can impact it. ⠀ • This week's White Rose Award recipient: Mary Yeaple. Do you know someone who deserves some recognition? Nominate him or her today:...

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Susan McDaniel, Chief Instigator at Venture in York's Royal Square District. They talk about the evolution of the art scene in York since she moved here 25 years ago, enhancing the neighborhood of artists in the community, and where she finds her inspiration. ⠀ • Special thanks to The Parliament Arts Organization for sponsoring this episode. You can learn more about what they do here:...

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Eric Himes, a local foodie who considers food a language of love. They’ll talk about Eric’s view of food as a gateway to connect people, why you might find him carrying chocolate in his pocket, and how he sees the future of dining in York. ⠀ • This week's White Rose Award recipient: Angie Nugent. Do you know someone who deserves some recognition? Nominate him or her today:...

In this episode of The Our York Media Podcast, Rebecca Hanlon chats with Dominic DelliCarpini of York College. They talked about what brought Dominic to York County, "action research" vs. academic research, and why it's so important to work with community partners as the College becomes more involved with the city. Special thanks to Glatfelter Insurance Group for sponsoring this episode.