Our Mission
Artisan Exchange provides an affordable environment that supports entrepreneurs committed to producing hand-crafted, sustainable foods while sharing sound business practices that have a positive social impact.
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What began as a way to leverage our resources has evolved into a passion for helping people pursue their dreams and changing the way business is done. As individuals and as a team, we are motivated by the idea that collaborative entrepreneurship is important in a world moving quickly with new technology and new economic realities.
Our Experience
Our team started with people from diverse backgrounds and we've learned a lot working together. We have a solid understanding of the food manufacturing business and have been successful in helping entrepreneurs (start-ups and existing businesses) in areas involving setup, operations, marketing, negotiations, financing, regulations, and relationship building.
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We believe our fundamental strength is an ability to provide focus and speed in implementation of business plans for new and expanding businesses. Since our inception in 2012, we've helped over 230 businesses start, grow, or expand.
Our Values
Our values are built on our experiences. We believe diversity encourages collaboration, creativity, innovation and trust.
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We prioritize getting the right people to build a collaborative culture that values family and friendship while supporting the success of everyone in our business community.
We believe that our success depends on the success of suppliers, members, customers, partners, and the larger community around us.
Our greatest strength is our ability to provide implementation of business plans for new and expanding businesses.
Meet The Team
Frank Baldassarre
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Frank J. Baldassarre, is an owner and principal in Artisan Exchange West Chester LLC. He brings over thirty (30) years of experience in the financial services sector, including executive level experience at a number of the regions’ banks. He possesses extensive managerial, lending, accounting and regulatory knowledge that has been instrumental in the success of Artisan Exchange and its member companies. His responsibilities include day to day operations of Artisan Exchange including all financial, accounting and operational activities.
Joe Stratton
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Joe Stratton has been an entrepreneur for more than 40 years. He earned an MBA from Penn State and worked a dual career in the corporate world (where he served 6 years as president and managing partner of a farm equipment sales finance company) and as a local farmer (where Joe and his life and business partner Laura, and their family manage the family farm). As a Principal at Artisan Exchange, Joe is responsible for facilities and business development support to member companies across a broad range of challenges (e.g. regulations, certifications, equipment, and operations), as well as handling our daily bookkeeping activities.
Jackie Baldassarre
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Jackie Baldassarre is the Artisan Exchange Distribution Sales Manager. She graduated from Widener University in 2019 and soon after fully joined the Artisan Exchange Team. She has been working and apart Artisan Exchange and Golden Valley Coffee for over 10 years. She has excellent customer service experience and has brought on many new accounts for Artisan Exchange Distribution.
Maryann Baldassarre
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Maryann Baldassarre, has over twenty-five (25) years of retail and managerial experience including leadership positions in the commercial retail and financial services sectors. Over the last fifteen (15) years, she has managed the day to day operations of Golden Valley Farms Coffee Roasters as President. In this role, Maryann was instrumental in transitioning Golden Valley Farms into a USDA Organic certified coffee roaster. Her current responsibilities at Artisan Exchange focus on marketing including print, social media, newsletter, radio and public relations.
Margaret Mace
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Margaret Mace is a Partner in Artisan Exchange Distribution and AEDirect. After 25 years spent in financial investments she started
Pure Scents Candle Company.
Margaret uses her leadership experience to execute business strategy and her entrepreneurial experience to support Artisan Exchange Members as they navigate the logistics of wholesale distribution.
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Jessica Adami
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Jessica Adami is the Social Media Director and AE Market Manager for Artisan Exchange. She has been apart of the AE team since opening day. She has been a pivotal part in our small business community. You can find her at our Saturday Market running the show and in our office during the week!
Ryan Fox
Ryan is Artisan Exchange lead Graphics Designer. He assist with logistics and customer relations. Ryan has been a huge support to many of the AE members assisting them with
e-commerce, and product development.