Kent local Katy Thomas has hosted the “Kent in Good Company” podcast since the beginning of 2024.

Every Wednesday, a new episode is released featuring Thomas sitting down with a local business owner and learning their story.

After starting her own business in 2019, teaching English as a second language, she realized just how hard being an entrepreneur is, giving her the idea for the podcast.

“From that experience, I realized, man, business owners who actually go out and do the things. I’m so inspired by them, especially in a small town,” Thomas said. “It can be hard to get your business off the ground, and for it to really sustain itself and grow. I just had a whole new outlook.”

Thomas also works as a digital marketing project manager for a company that specializes in helping local businesses with their marketing. She wanted to help the businesses in her community. She learned through her work that podcasts were a great way to help local businesses grow and gain customers.

“Every time I went to Scribbles and saw the owner working, or every time I went into a shop and I saw who I thought was maybe the owner, I was like, man, I’m so inspired by these people,” Thomas said. “I’d love to hear their story and how they got from the beginning, where I couldn’t seem to get out of, to this.”

When Thomas approached Heather Malarcik, executive director of Main Street Kent, with the podcast idea, Malarcik said she was on board right away.

“We were thrilled when Katy came to us with the idea to create a podcast,” Malarcik said. “We’re even more excited now that it has come to fruition and been a new vehicle for us to tell the Kent story.”

Since the podcast has started, Thomas has learned a lot about Kent businesses, especially hearing about the support they all give each other.

“I am hearing that over and over and over again that business owners are really just reaching out to help other business owners all the time,” Thomas said. “I think they realize how taxing it is and how scary it is to get a business started and to take a big step getting a physical location … it’s a whole network of support and kindness and generosity.”

One of her favorite episodes is episode 16 of season one, where she interviews Gwen Rosenberg, the owner of Popped!

“I almost forgot that I was recording because I was so into the conversation,” Thomas said. “She just blew me away with how much she knows about candy … just hearing about her expertise that goes so deep into a world that I had no idea existed, that was truly fascinating.”

Now almost 40 episodes in, Malarcik said the podcast has a positive impact on the Kent business community.

“The podcast has helped our business owners get to know each other, and our community members get to know the people behind the businesses that make our town so great,” Malarcik said. “I think ‘Kent In Good Company’ has opened people’s eyes to what it really means to support local businesses, and sparked lots of curiosity about businesses people did not know were here.”

Sitting at around 5,000 total listens, Thomas hopes this number keeps growing.

“I think the whole inspiration for me to do this podcast was to show people that there are humans and real personal stories behind these businesses,” Thomas said.

Thomas’ dedication to the podcast shows through her efforts to record, edit and post every episode herself.

“Ultimately, we want people to discover new favorites and love the time they spend here in Kent,” Malarcik said. “The podcast is helping us with that, and we hope to have it for years to come.”

Lauren Cohen is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].