Brian Slawin joins the podcast to discuss his crucial work with Ben Franklin Technology Partners. Specifically, Brian works in Central and Northern Pennsylvania, but Ben Franklin has been a statewide economic development program for over 30 years. They provide "both early-stage and established companies with funding, business and technical expertise and access to a network of innovative, expert resources." Our conversation covers all that, plus: the changing economy in Erie, why he loves mentoring emerging entrepreneurs, and working with (former guests of this podcast) Fish Gods. Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

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Brian Slawin (Ben Franklin Technology Partners)

This episode checks in with various figures from the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network and beyond, detailing the progress and future of our network. Interviews include: Jacob Marsh (Penn State Behrend), Dr. Lisa Jo Elliott (Penn State Behrend), Brad Gleason (Gannon), Brian Fuller (Mercyhurst), Patrick Moran (Erie County Public Library), Dr. Michael Hannan (Edinboro University), and Dr. Scott Miller (Edinboro University). A keynote speech is provided by Hunter Klobucar and Tyler Waltenbaugh (Fish Gods). Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Beehive State of The Union — September 2021

Dan Bickel joins the podcast to discuss his company: Hopleaf Tea. A product made right here in Erie, Pennsylvania, Hopleaf blends fresh hops and natural tea leaves into over 20 current blends. Along with being able to buy these blends on Etsy, locals can also find Hopleaf at places like The Tipsy Bean, Luminary Distilling and Voodoo Brewery. In fact, Dan and Voodoo just unveiled their newest collaboration, an organic ceylon tea blend with lemon grass and citra hops called “Voobrew.” The Edinboro Beehive helped Hopleaf with its branding, while the Mercyhurst Beehive provided crucial market research.  Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Dan Bickel (Hopleaf Tea)

Jon DeMarco joins the podcast to discuss his role as Executive Director for the Presque Isle Partnership. The Partnership works to enhance visitor experience at the Erie state park through various projects, all the while protecting the natural resources. They also organize several high profile events, including Discover Presque Isle, PI Lights, and the new MyPI 100 Challenge. The Beehive helped launch "MyPI 100" by creating a logo, explainer video and more, a collaboration Jon discusses in detail on this episode. Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Jon DeMarco (Presque Isle Partnership)

Scott Hitz joins the podcast to discuss his new adventure experience company, Your Sailing Adventure. An endeavor designed to show tourists everything Erie has to offer, they're currently accepting their first bookings for early July (the Memorial weekend date mentioned in the episode has been adjusted). Along with the origins of the company, you'll also find out how Scott came to love sailing in the first place. Then, you'll get the inside story on how he came to work with the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, and how he'll be involving other local businesses in Your Sailing Adventure (Facebook). Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Scott Hitz (Your Sailing Adventure)

Kristen Santiago returns to the show to discuss Gone Local. The online shop and corporate gift box company, which she owns, stocks goods from local makers. Get the inside story on how she acquired Gone Local, what it's been like working through the pandemic, and why she continues to collaborate with the NWPA Beehive. We also discuss her other enterprise, Ivy + Atlas, "a business consulting agency focused on helping small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs make improvements to their organizations." Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Kristen Santiago Returns (Gone Local, Ivy + Atlas)

Tony and Deanna Arnt, owners of Edinboro staple Lakeside Bagel & Deli, stop by to discuss an eventful 2020. Beyond simply having to adjust business operations in a post-COVID-19 landscape, Lakeside Bagel & Deli also celebrated its 25th anniversary and announced a move to a new location.  Our guests also discuss their purchase of the shop, the secrets behind their delicious bagels, and much more.  Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Tony and Deanna Arnt (Lakeside Bagel & Deli)

In this episode, Hunter Klobucar, co-founder of the eco-friendly company Fish Gods, sits down with us to talk about the company and its first product, The Clean Earth Bag. He talks about how he and his co-founder, Tyler Waltenbaugh, worked with several branches of the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, along with revealing the origins of the company and more. This is a unique example of how the Beehives were meant to collaborate and serves to illustrate the potential that is waiting to be unlocked in the region. Fish Gods recently launched their Clean Earth Bag on Kickstarter and are well on their way to achieving their financial goals. Make sure to pledge, so you can get the early bird pricing on the bag.  Sponsored by: Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership Music: Kevin Macleod’s "pamgaea" available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made. Audionautix's "Roboskater" by Jason Shaw available via Creative Commons Attribution-International 4.0. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, No changes were made.

Hunter Klobucar (Fish Gods)

Business growth via collaboration; it's the guiding ethos of the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network. Join Edinboro’s Center for Branding and Strategic Communication as we talk to beehive clients, past and present, in order to learn more about them, their work, and their collaboration with Erie region academic institutions.

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