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 concepts. 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 stories about local entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, visit TheFounderBeat.com. Special thanks to our inaugural Benefactors: The generosity of our Benefactors allows us to produce a set number of local stories at no cost to readers or the subjects. These Benefactors include: CGA Law Firm Mayer Wealth Advisory PeoplesBank White Rose Leadership Institute York College of Pennsylvania York County Economic Alliance How to support The Founder Beat The best way to support is consume and share our content. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here, sent about every Tuesday morning. Subscribing to this podcast on your favorite podcast app would also be cool.

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 episode was hosted by Rebecca Hanlon and produced by Brady Pappas and Will Hanlon. For more stories about local entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, visit TheFounderBeat.com. Special thanks to our inaugural Benefactors: The generosity of our Benefactors allows us to produce a set number of local stories at no cost to readers or the subjects. These Benefactors include: CGA Law Firm Mayer Wealth Advisory PeoplesBank White Rose Leadership Institute York College of Pennsylvania York County Economic Alliance How to support The Founder Beat The best way to support is consume and share our content. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here, sent about every Tuesday morning. Subscribing to this podcast on your favorite podcast app would also be cool.

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 produced by Brady Pappas and Will Hanlon. For more stories about local entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, visit TheFounderBeat.com. Special thanks to our inaugural Benefactors: The generosity of our Benefactors allows us to produce a set number of local stories at no cost to readers or the subjects. These Benefactors include: CGA Law Firm Mayer Wealth Advisory PeoplesBank White Rose Leadership Institute York College of Pennsylvania York County Economic Alliance How to support The Founder Beat The best way to support is consume and share our content. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here, sent about every Tuesday morning. Subscribing to this podcast on your favorite podcast app would also be cool.

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 stories about local entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, visit TheFounderBeat.com. Special thanks to our inaugural Benefactors: The generosity of our Benefactors allows us to produce a set number of local stories at no cost to readers or the subjects. These Benefactors include: CGA Law Firm Mayer Wealth Advisory PeoplesBank White Rose Leadership Institute York College of Pennsylvania York County Economic Alliance How to support The Founder Beat The best way to support is consume and share our content. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here, sent about every Tuesday morning. Subscribing to this podcast on your favorite podcast app would also be cool.

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 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 stories about local entrepreneurs, innovators, and changemakers, visit TheFounderBeat.com. Special thanks to our inaugural Benefactors: The generosity of our Benefactors allows us to produce a set number of local stories at no cost to readers or the subjects. These Benefactors include: CGA Law Firm Mayer Wealth Advisory PeoplesBank White Rose Leadership Institute York College of Pennsylvania York County Economic Alliance How to support The Founder Beat The best way to support is consume and share our content. Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter here, sent about every Tuesday morning. Subscribing to this podcast on your favorite podcast app would also be cool.