It’s Freitag! - Business and Life in the Monadnock Region

35 - Wink Faulkner, What 70 Clients Taught Him About Business Coaching

In this episode of It's Freitag, Jan sits down with Wink Faulkner, founder of Red House Advisors, to talk about what four decades in business really teaches you. From Markham to Italy to the CEO seat, Wink shares why servant leadership works, why the fundamentals matter, and how helping others is the best business strategy of all.

34 - Paul Finley, What It Takes to Scale in the Trades

Paul Finley, owner of Finley Construction, shares how he went from running a painting business to leading a 15+ person construction company in New Hampshire. In this episode, Paul talks about the systems, team culture, and client experience that made scaling possible — and the hard lessons learned along the way. A must-listen if you're in the trades or growing a service business.

33 - Jordan Cemorelis, From ICU Nurse to Med Spa Founder

In this episode of It’s Freitag Podcast, Jan Ziegler sits down with Jordan Cemorelis, founder of Max Aesthetics, to talk about her transition from pediatric ICU nurse to entrepreneur. From building a med spa rooted in clinical expertise to balancing business ownership with advanced medical training, Jordan shares an honest look at growth, risk, and creating a patient-centered approach to aesthetics and wellness.

32 - Corinne Breton-Benfield, Building a Stronger Future for New Hampshire

Jan Ziegler sits down with Corinne Breton-Benfield, Executive Director of Stay Work Play NH, to talk about workforce challenges, young talent retention, and building a stronger future for New Hampshire. From addressing housing and childcare barriers to fostering collaboration across business, government, and community leaders, this episode explores how intentional action can shape a more sustainable and thriving state.

31 - Michelle DellaVita, Elevating Leadership Across the Monadnock Region

Jan Ziegler sits down with Michelle DellaVita, Director of Leadership Monadnock at the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, to talk about regional leadership development, workforce retention, and building stronger community connections. From expanding leadership pipelines to fostering cross-sector collaboration, this episode dives into how intentional leadership strengthens the entire Monadnock Region.

30 - Colleen Spear, Building Sustainable Businesses from Day One

In this episode of It's Freitag Podcast, host Jan Ziegler interviews Colleen Spear, founder of Spearpoint Strategies. Colleen shares her journey from sustainability student to business consultant, explaining how she helps companies scale and grow with purpose through systems and strategy. From the importance of networking to redefining consulting for small businesses, Colleen offers insights into building businesses that thrive long-term without losing their culture or values. Tune in for practical advice on creating systems that support both profit and purpose.

29 - Joe Shawver, Building a Bookkeeping Business in Keene

In this episode of It’s Freitag Podcast, Jan Ziegler sits down with Joe Shawver, owner of The Square Books. They discuss Joe’s journey building a bookkeeping business rooted in trust, education, and long-term relationships. Tune in for valuable insights on understanding the story behind the numbers, helping business owners identify profitability, and growing a service-based business through referrals and community involvement.

28 - Emily Benson, How Bensonwood is Solving the Skilled Labor Shortage

In this episode of It’s Freitag, Jan Ziegler sits down with Emily Benson, Head of Employee Success at Bensonwood. They discuss Emily's journey growing up in her family’s construction business, the innovative apprenticeships she's creating to solve local workforce challenges, and her vision for the future of Keene. Tune in for valuable insights on workforce development, community leadership, and the importance of housing and downtown vitality.

27 - Todd Horner, Supporting Local Towns With Expertise and Long-Term Vision

In this episode of It’s Freitag, Jan Ziegler sits down with Todd Horner, Executive Director at the Southwest Region Planning Commission. They discuss Todd's journey from farming to leading regional planning, tackling challenges like affordable housing, transportation, and climate resilience across the Monadnock Region. Tune in for valuable insights on community planning and the future of small towns.

26 - Andy DeMeo, Championing Optimism with the Granite Goodness Podcast

In this episode, Jan Ziegler sits down with Andy DeMeo, creator of Granite Goodness, to explore how optimism and progress-driven storytelling can reshape the way we see the world. Andy shares what inspired him to push back against the negativity bias in traditional media, the overlooked stories of progress in areas like health, equality, and sustainability, and how he’s applying this “progress journalism” lens to highlight innovation and collaboration across New England communities. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about media, community impact, and building a movement around positive storytelling.