Strictly Business on KSVY
by KSVY Radio
Strictly Business engages the people and issues of business and management history, corporate growth and profitability, entrepreneurial breakthroughs, operating successes and failures. Covering all factors contributing to Sonoma County’s economic growth and development. Kip Altman: Raised in Boston, graduated from Georgetown and the Un-O-Chicago Graduate School of Business. Worked on Wall Street and lived in New York City for many years, moved to S.F. in 2003, Glen Ellen in 2013. An active trader of stocks, author, and creator of the largest existing business history site businesshistory.com.
Episodes
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Strictly Business KSVY - Owner, King's Nursery - Fred King
We will talk about: 1. On this radio program, we love business history. King's Nursery is a 130-year-old, fourth-generation, family-owned retail plant business, the oldest continuing operating nursery in Sonoma County. You've worked there for 75 years, you've managed it for 55 years - Always a...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author: The Rush: California Gold: The Civil War and the Making of the Modern World
Guest: Nathaniel Philbrick, Author: The Rush: California Gold: The Civil War and the Making of the Modern World 1. What attracted you to the topic - (over the course of nine months in 1849, Nantucket, once the whaling capital of the world, lost a quarter of its voting population to the gold…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Founder and Proprietor, Book Passage, Independent Book Store - Elaine Petrocelli
We will talk about: 1. How did you get the idea for a bookstore In 1976, and what did you do after you got the idea? 2. You started hosting authors live in that same year. Considering how many books are published each year, how do you decide which authors to host? Is attendance at live authors'...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author of Tin Can Coast: A History of Industry, Greed and Fishing in the Golden State - Joseph Ogilvy
We will Talk about: 1. Whole story seems a sad commentary on rational (human) expectations and behavioral economics (how human psychology, emotions, and cognitive biases influence financial and economic choices), 2. Is fishing (and ‘over fishing’) a prime example of the ultimate battle between...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Co-author, Wineland; Celebrating the Heart of Sonoma - Matt Villano
We will talk about: 1. How did you wind up in Healdsburg, since you're from Long Island and moved to Seattle before coming to California? 2. We live in an agricultural county, but it doesn't seem that you've written that much about agriculture. Is that correct? 3. Had you ever done this kind of...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author, "Brand New Beat" - Peter Richardson
What we will talk about: 1. Why focus on Rolling Stone magazine?, 2. Why write about just the first decade of its existence, 1967-1977?, 3. Was Wenner an example of right place/right time phenomenon?, 4. Wenner wanted to be ‘the Henry Luce of the counterculture’ when he started Rolling Stone...
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Strictly Business KSVY - K3 Innovation Supporter, Philanthropist - Gary Nelson
We will talk about: 1. Take us back 56 years - did you find the market for staffing or did it find you?, 2. How did HR policies change over your years in the business?, 3. You were in HR in-house for about 10 years before starting your business - what need did you see which needed to be filled?…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Blue Sky Vacations - Ann Macker
We will talk about: 1. How has travel industry changed over the past 30 years?, 2. How did travel agency management change over your years of ownership?, 3. Effect of 9/11, 2008 financial crisis, COVID on the travel agency business?, 4. How did the Internet affect travelers’ decision making and…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Founder & Executive Chairman Black Bear Diner - Bruce Dean
Bruce Dean - Founder & Executive Chairman Black Bear Diner We will talk about: 1. Why would your first job as a dishwasher at Sambo's Restaurant at 15 ignite your passion for the restaurant business?, 2. You took over a defunct Jerry’s restaurant in Shasta to start the business from scratch in…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Garret ACE Hardware of Healdsburg and Windsor - Jordan and Rod Matteri
We will talk about: 1) Why did Carole buy the business from the Klein family?, 2) When did the company become an ACE Hardware affiliated retailer?, 3) Benefits of becoming a member of ACE Hardware Coop (greater buying power through the agreement, as well as business upgrades; store dramatically...
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Strictly Business KSVY - President, Bambury, Inc. (Bonneau Fuels) - Chris Bambury
We will talk about: 1) Your family has been at this for 105 years - surprised it has lasted so long?, secret to longevity of the business?, 2) You started as a ‘retail associate’ 24 years ago - what did that entail?, what did you learn? 3) 8 gas stations in Sonoma - which does the most business?,...
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Strictly Business KSVY - President and CEO of the 103 Year-Old Costeaux French Bakery - Will Seppi
We will talk about: 1. The bakery changed owners at least 6 times before 1981. Why, in your opinion?, 2. 1981 - When your parents (Karl - golf pro and Nancy - nurse) purchased the business from the Costeaux family (owned it for 8 years), they had no professional baking experience - why did they…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Santa Rosa United Soccer Club - Lee Summerscales
We will talk about: 1) Is the World Cup the biggest inspiration for youth soccer development?, 2) Is the World Cup the biggest inspiration for donations to SRU?, 3) How has youth soccer grown over the years (players, clubs)?, 4) How many people participate in SRU programs?, 5) How do you define…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Reporter for the Press Democrat - Phil Barber
We will talk about: 1) Why did LeFever/Mattson target Sonoma for real estate purchases?, 2) When did you first cover this scandal?, 3) Were purchases random or did they fit a pattern?, 4) Were objectives more than real estate fraud (political or religious)?, 5) Had LeFever not discovered...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Professor Landscape Architecture & Environmental Design: "Pastoral Capitalism" - Louise A. Mozingo
What we will talk about: 1) First transitions - when the executives at companies like Connecticut General or General Foods decided to pack up their urban offices - what was the defining financial or cultural trigger point? 2) Did abandoned cities try to fight to retain their corporate citizens -...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Executive Director, Green Music Center - Jacob Yarrow
1) What does Kennedy Center debacle suggest about leadership in the arts? 2) Renee Fleming (has performed at GMC), among others, cancelled scheduled performances at the Kennedy Center - was she right to do so? 3) Role of the Board in steering the direction of the Green Music Center?, 4) How you...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Founder of Press Onward an Alternative News Source for Sonoma County - Troy Niday
What we’ll talk about: 1. How did you feel when Alden Capital showed itself as a likely buyer of Sonoma Media Investments?, 2. How differently was the PD run vs. other newspapers you’d worked with (Omaha World Herald, the Oklahoman, Birmingham News, Arizona Republic)?, 3. Why nonprofit digital…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Associate Professor of Media and Pop Culture at UCSD and Author of "Derivative Media - How Wall Street Devours Culture" - Andrew Dewaard
What we will talk about: 1. Why the book thesis and project?, 2. Why is ‘financialization’ a dirty word?, 3. Financing vs. financialization - the difference?, 4. Did ‘Hollywood accounting’ draw scrutiny from ‘financial actors?, 5. Was operating record of studios, broadcasting companies and labels...
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Strictly Business KSVY - 4th Generation Owner of Corrick's in Santa Rosa - Keven Brown
1. Has the store experienced an incarnation with each new family owner over the past 111 years?, 2. You’ve said that as you were growing up, you always knew you wanted to run the store (family business)- why?, 3. How big a burden is ‘legacy’ in managing a family business?, 4. How big a burden is...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author of "Inflation" - Martha Olney
What We’ll talk about: 1) Why write the book now? 2) What have been, or should have been, the obvious economic lessons from inflationary periods post WW I, post WW II and OPEC oil crisis in the 1970s?, 3) Why 40 years of ‘manageable’ inflation?, 4) 2008 - deflation - aggregate demand shock,...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Wealth Manager and Former Tax Accountant - Lillian Meyers
We will talk about: 1) Why the move into wealth management in 2003 after 18 years as a tax accountant?, 2) What constitutes ’high net worth’?, 3) How liquid are the assets of high net worth individuals?, 4) Do you find that clients have historically overpaid their taxes?, 5) How well do clients...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author, Financier, College President, Vintner and Organizational Leadership and Performance Expert - Rich Moran
1) Many ‘job changes’ - which taught you the most about organizational leadership and performance?, 2) You’ve said your career path was ‘serendipitous’ - what do you mean?, 3) How do you recommend that a person become more risk-oriented in his career?, 4) You’ve written humorous books on…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Systems Director for Sonoma County Information Systems - Dan Fruchey
We will talk about: Your almost 30 years in information technology - amazing changes?, Is AI in its infancy or is it maturing quickly?, Is AI a productivity enhancer or cost reducer? How well do you think the public understands the promises and the perils of AI?, Is Sonoma County a model of AI...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Inventer and Entrepreneur, The Electric Potter's Wheel - Robert Brent
We will talk about: You opened a pottery school (1967) a year after taking your first pottery class - why?, what potential did you see or anticipate?, did you learn pottery on a kick wheel?, You never claimed to be a fine ceramics artist - did you want to be?, Lacking enough money to buy wheels,...
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Strictly Business KSVY - President & CEO North Bay Black Chamber of Commerce - Nancy Rogers
We will talk about: 1) your role as President and CEO of the NBBCC, 2) the efforts of the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow Foundation, 3) how and why you got started in the NBBCC, 4) competitive factors which have affected black entrepreneurship in Sonoma County, 5) the services and support offered by…
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Sctrictly Business KSVY - Pinocchio Furniture - Sasha Papadin
We will talk about: How did you learn to restore furniture? How has technology changed furniture restoration? What is the difference between restoration and refinishing? Does refinishing or repair harm my antique’s value? How do you determine what to charge for furniture restoration: size of the...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Ad Man and Artist - Steven Stone
We will talk about: What the advertising industry was like when you started?, Why you started your own agencies, What constitutes an effective ad?, How advertising has changed over the years, The mechanics of creating an advertisement for a client, How much time it takes to create an…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author, Truck Driver, Reporter - Austin Murphy
We will talk about: Your 33 years at Sports illustrated (1984-2017, eventually senior writer covering NFL, college football and the Tour de France) - how did coverage of sports change over those years, how did access to athletes change, how did you change?, How did your coverage of sports evolve…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Owner of CafeMac - Jim Witous
What we will talk about: Jim, a computer expert, will bring us up to date on scams (Internet, AI, etc.) and ways to protect our identity, privacy and possessions online and offline. Guest URL: http://cafemac.net/
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Strictly Business KSVY - Executive Director: Sebastopol Center for the Arts (Art Trails) - Serafina Polandech
Guest: Serafina Polandech, ED - Sebastopol Center for the Arts (Art Trails) We will talk about: How Art Trails got started, What were its original objectives?, How has it changed/grown over the years?, Why you sold your interstate in Hip Chick Farms in 2018, Why you switched from food to art, How...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author of "California Avocados" - Rob Crisell
We will talk about: Why you got interested in avocados as a topic to write about, How far back does California’s involvement with avocados go?, How big is U.S. avocado production vs. Mexico? Why were Mexican avocados banned until 1997 (ending an 83-year-old import prohibition), Why was there a...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Lead Buyer Copperfield Books - Sheryl Cotleur
We would ask you about: Your 40 years in the book business: how it has changed, how you have changed? Your 13 years at Copperfield’s - what has changed?, How have readers’ tastes changed over that time?, Do readers’ tastes vary with store location at Copperfields? How do you work with publishers...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Award Winning Wine Country Realtor - Daniel Casabonne
Guest: Daniel Casabonne, Award Winning Wine Country Realtor We will talk about: Why you decided on a career in real estate, How your ‘production’ evolved over the years as you rose to #11 of all Sotheby’s agents in the U.S., What the Sonoma real estate market was like when you began, How has the...
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Strictly Business KSVY - CEO & Co-Founder of Trellus - Adam Haber
We will discuss: Why you started Trellus almost 5 years ago, why so passionate about small businesses solutions?, Why start Trellus in Marin & Sonoma counties (long way from NY) - demographics?, Do you work with local Chambers of Commerce, Merchant participation expectations?, Main selling point...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Founder of Cultrual Threads in Truckee - Kristen Kempt
1) when you first visited the village in the Andes at 14,000 feet = essentially half-way up Mt. Everest, 2) what you found when you got there, 3) how difficult was it for you to assimilate with the women artisans there?, 4) what the Peruvian women artisans were making with alpaca before you got...
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Strictly Business KSVY - VP of Leasing at Codding Enterprises - Lois Codding
We will talk about: 3 generations of the Codding family in Sonoma County real estate, How each generation has influenced management of the family business, From origins in home building to shopping center development to real estate acquisitions to mixed-use development - where next for the…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Executive Director of Sonoma County Farm Trails and Producer of the 52nd Gravenstein Apple Fair - Carmen Snyder
We would talk with you about: How you found your way to Sonoma County Farm Trails, How are the Gravenstein Apple Fair has changed over 52 years, How the number or composition of participants in the Fair has changed over the years, How did Sonoma County Farm Trails first to get involved in…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Owner of Petaluma Pumkin Patch - Jim Groverman
Guest: Jim Groverman, Owner, Petaluma Pumkin Patch We will talk about: How pumpkins became associated with Halloween How pumpkins are grown in quantity How are some people able to grow giant pumpkins into the 1000’s of pounds How did you get into the pumpkin patch business? When did pumpkin…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Author - Professor Debra Michals
Guest: Debra Michals professor and author of the 2025 book: “She's the Boss: The Rise of Women’s Entrepreneurship Since World War II” We will talk about: When you realized this theme would be your book, How you began your research, Any pre-conceived notions about women’s entrepreneurship before…
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Strictly Business KSVY - A Senior Editor at Fortune Magazine (45 Years) - Shawn Tully
Guest: Shawn Tully - one of two Senior Editors-at-Large at Fortune Magazine (45 years at the magazine) We will talk about: How different is Fortune today than when you started (editorial policy, company coverage, depth of pieces, length of time to research? etc.), The biggest stories you’ve…
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Strictly Business KSVY - 6th Superintendent/President of Santa Rosa Junior College SRJC - Dr. Angélica Garcia
Guest: Dr. Angélica Garcia, 6th Superintendent/President of Santa Rosa Junior College SRJC We will talk about: 1. Your reaction to political attacks on colleges and universities, 2. Your perspective on anti-semitism on college campuses - real or conjured conflict, 3. Your opinion on university...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Executive Director of the Musem of Sonoma County - Karen Wise
Guest: Karen Wise, Executive Director of the Museum of Sonoma County We will talk about: Your reaction to the denigrating of the Smithsonian, Context into which you might place these attacks, Is criticism of Smithsonian justified, Do you expect the ‘mission of the Museum of Sonoma County’ to be...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Owner of Sonoma Mission Gardens - Dave Fazzio
Guest: Dave Fazzio, Owner, Sonoma Mission Gardens We will talk about: 1. Why you entered the field of landscape architecture/gardening?, 2. How the industry has changed over your 35 years in it, 3. How well do homeowners understand the value of landscape gardening?, 4. Do internal houseplants...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Demeter Advisory Founder - Jeff Menashe, CEQ
Guest: Jeff Menashe, Founder, CEQ, Demeter Advisory We would discuss: 1) why you started the business 22 years ago, 2) why you focused on the adult beverage industry, 3) what constitutes a ‘premium’ adult beverage M&A transaction, 4) have premiums expanded more in ‘spirits’ than in wine in recent...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Healdsburg Running Company - Skip Brand, CEO
Skip Brand - CEO, Healdsburg Running Company We will talk about: 1. your 10 years in the ‘specialty retail’ business, 2. why you made a career change from digital marketing to specialty retail, how you decided to make the move after 8 years, 3. why you founded Healdsburg Running Company…in...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Griffo Distillery - Will Maroun, CEO
Hosts: Kip Altman with Scot Hunter Guest: Will Maroun, CEO, Griffo Distillery We will talk about: The 10 year operating history of Griffo, What ‘scientifically crafted spirits’ means, The operating condition of the distillery when you arrived, The vision you had for the distillery when you…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Founder of Safari West - Nancy Anne Lang, Ph.D
Guest: Nancy Anne Lang, Ph.D - Founder of Safari West We will talk about: 1) your 30+ years running Safari West, 2) your 20 years at SF Zoo and as general curator, 3) the challenge of setting up Safari West in Sonoma County, 4) why a safari experience vs. a zoo, 5) the difficulty of securing’...
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Strictly Business KSVY - Director of Consignments & Senior Numismatist | Stack's Bowers Galleries - Dennis Hengeveld
Guest: Dennis Hengeveld Director of Consignments & Senior Numismatist | Stack’s Bowers Galleries We will talk about: 1. the 5 banks in Sonoma County which you include in your book (FNB Geyserville, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Sonoma) and ask about: 2. the founders and their impact on their...
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Strictly Business KSVY - President of Copperfield's Books, Inc. - Paul Jaffe
Hosts: Kip Altman with Scot Hunter Guest: Paul Jaffe, President Copperfield’s Books, Inc. We will discuss: 1) your 40+ years in the book business, 2) how the business of selling books has changed over the years, 3) how book buying has changed over time (book store owners and consumers - hard…
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Strictly Business KSVY - Senior Wine Analyst - Chris Bitter, PhD
Hosts: Kip Altman with Scot Hunter Guest: Chris Bitter, PhD - Senior Wine Analyst We will talk about: 1) the economics of the wine industry (in general), 2) how the economics of the industry has changed over the years (pre-tariff), 3) the effect of tariffs on grape growing, 4) the impact of…
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About this show
Strictly Business engages the people and issues of business and management history, corporate growth and profitability, entrepreneurial breakthroughs, operating successes and failures. Covering all factors contributing to Sonoma County’s economic growth and development. Kip Altman: Raised in Boston, graduated from Georgetown and the Un-O-Chicago Graduate School of Business. Worked on Wall Street and lived in New York City for many years, moved to S.F. in 2003, Glen Ellen in 2013. An active trader of stocks, author, and creator of the largest existing business history site businesshistory.com.
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