Pain Points

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Allison Raffaele, CEO of Medical Health Associates of Western New York (MHA) , to explore the realities of leading a healthcare organization that balances independence, compliance, and community connection. Allison shares her winding career path — from surgical technology to animal hospital administration — and the pivotal Pain Points that shaped her le...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with MarioRodriguez , President of Forseti Protection Group , a full-service security company that’s redefining what it means to keep people, property, and organizations safe. Founded in 2012, Forseti Protection Group was born from the belief that clients deserve more than box-checking and basic protection—they deserve peace of mind . With a team built on mi...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Beth Clark , third-generation owner of Bridal Chateau , a beloved local bridal shop that’s been serving brides for nearly 50 years. Beth shares the evolution of the business her grandmother started—from a small in-home operation to a leading bridal destination that’s focused on experience, inclusion, and authenticity. Together, they explore the Pain Poi...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with Steve McMorrow, Founder of the Buffalo Cannabis Network (BCN) and longtime advocate for cannabis normalization and education.  Steve shares his cross-country journey from LA film schoolto launching a cleaning company for grow facilities in Colorado, to ultimately returning to Buffalo to build an inclusive and informed cannabis ecosystem. Together, Maggie...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with creative strategist and community leader Lindsay Taylor (Director of Advancement & Development, Buffalo PAL; Founder, Beau Fleuve Music & Arts).  Lindsay shares his journey from organizing school trips andparties to launching multi-city festivals, community programs, and one of Buffalo’s most dynamic “third spaces.” Together, Maggie and Lindsay d...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis of  StaffBuffalo  sits down with fellow woman-owned business leader  Danielle Bickel , founder of  Strokes Painting & Contracting .   Danielle shares her journey launching Strokes during the height of the pandemic, from working around the kitchen table to managing 14 crews and opening a dedicated shop. With a commitment to integrity, transparency, and culture, Dan...

In this transparent and compelling episode, host Maggie Shea visits East Leaf Dispensary, a woman- and family owned, New York State licensed adult-use cannabis retailer in Cheektowaga, NY. Maggie sits down with co-owner, Gina Miller, and team member, Taylor Smith, to dive deep into the  real  Pain Points of navigating a brand-new cannabis dispensary from scratch.  From opening a thriving liquor st...

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, host LaurenLewis sits down with Tom Akers — founder of  Renew Bath + Body  and  Junk Free Skin  — for a raw and insightful discussion on the real  Pain Points  behind sustainability, innovation, and scaling a purpose-driven business.  After leaving the fast-food world (yes, he once ownedmultiple Taco Bell and KFC locations), Tom found himself at a c...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis and Maggie Shea dive deep with Dustin Snyder, founder of Wayforward Associates, to uncover the most common Pain Points that keep companies stuck in cycles of disengagement, turnover, and missed opportunities.  Dustin shares his journey from labor relations to consultingand reveals the game-changing strategies he uses to help companies identify and resolve the root cau...

In this deep and engaging conversation, Maggie sits down with Elle Musialowski, CFO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to talk about the  real  Pain Points that arise along a high-powered finance and accounting career — and how to move through them with intention, reflection, and authenticity.    From early beginnings in public accounting to traveling the globe with Praxair/Linde, El...

In this episode, Maggie sits down with Melissa Moore, Horticulture Program Co-Coordinator and Cannabis Instructor at SUNY Niagara, to explore the Pain Points of transitioning from the legacy cannabis market to the legal landscape — and what it means for cultivators, educators, and aspiring professionals in the space.    From Monkeys to Marijuana – Melissa takes us on her unique career path from bi...

In this episode, we sit down with Janna Willoughby-Lohr, the creative mastermind behind Papercraft Miracles, an eco-friendly, handmade paper art company that brings magic and joy to people's lives through unique creations.  Janna takes us on a journey from her unexpected start in the art world, beginning with navigating her college major, to discovering her passion for paper art, and finally build...

In this episode, we sit down with  Melissa Winkler , a certified  Level 2 Sommelier  and owner of Winkler & Samuels, a boutique wine and spirits shop offering curated wine classes, a premium wine storage facility, and a passion-driven approach to wine education.   Melissa takes us on a journey from her unexpected start in the wine industry—beginning as a nanny, to discovering her passion at Le...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Larry Mietus ('Leadership Larry') — author, business consultant, and founder of Speaking of Strategy . Larry has spent decades helping businesses obliterate excuses, build strong cultures, and lead with strategy.  Pain Points We Tackle in This Episode:  Why businesses get stuck – and how to break free  The #1 excuse that kills growth (and how to overcom...

Tune in to another episode of The Pain Points Podcast, where we explore how Impressia Bank is changing the game for women entrepreneurs and the financial struggles that they face!  In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Schellinger, VP/Regional Relationship Manager at Impressia Bank to discuss the financial roadblocks women-owned businesses encounter, the funding gap in traditional banking, and...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Pain Points Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Saverio “Sam” Marrazzo, Chief Innovation Officer at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), as he shares his incredible story from his early days in the Navy, how he found his love for technology, and to his transformative role in the non-profit sector. Hosted by Maggie Shea, th...

Welcome to another episode of the Pain Points Podcast, where we dive deep into the critical challenges that businesses face in scaling and sustaining growth. Today, we’re excited to feature Mike Belin, Executive Growth Strategist at Nacre Consulting, a firm renowned for helping businesses grow their top-line revenue, optimize sales processes, and build sustainable growth strategies. With over 5 ye...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pain Points Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with a dynamic leader in B2B sales and corporate innovation— Sondra Vidal —to explore the challenges and successes that have shaped her remarkable career. From driving growth at Favordrop to leading multiple ventures, including RelPro and Luc and Lyla LLC, Sondra brings a wealth of experience in turning...

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pain Points Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Bill Boulden, a seasoned technology leader and serial startip CTO for multiple innovative companies. Bill brings over 15 years of experience navigating the complex landscape of B2B technology, product design, and artificial intelligence.  As a visionary in technology management, Bill has successfull...

Welcome to another episode of The Pain Points Podcast! In this engaging conversation, we’re diving deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Len Morrissey, Managing Partner at Morrissey Metcalfe and Associates, and published author of "Cursed Gift". With over 16 years of banking experience across two countries and a dynamic transition into entrepreneurship, Len Morrissey shares the key Pain Points...

In this episode, we’re diving deep into the journey of overcoming obstacles, transforming challenges into opportunities, and turning Pain Points into power moves. Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Nicholle Overkamp , a powerhouse entrepreneur, financial guru, and AI-driven business strategist, to uncover the lessons learned from the toughest moments in her career. Nicholle Overkamp is the...

Welcome to another episode of the Pain Points Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories behind the successes and challenges of industry leaders. In this episode, we're thrilled to host Nhi Kha, the CEO and Co-founder of Sativa Remedy Hemp Dispensary in Buffalo. Sativa Remedy is a pioneering force in the cannabis space, dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable hemp products while advocati...

Join us on the Pain Points Podcast for an enlightening conversation with Matthew K. Pelkey, Partner at Colligan Law LLP, who brings a wealth of experience in high-growth ventures, technology, and business law. In this episode, Matthew shares his remarkable career journey, offering insights into the legal challenges he faced and overcame along the way. Discover how Matthew's practical approach to b...

Welcome to another episode of The Pain Points Podcast, where we delve into the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned by leaders across various industries. In this episode, we're thrilled to have Brian Lehman, President of EmergenceTek Group (ETG), join us for an insightful conversation about his 20-year journey in executive management and the IT industry. Whether you're an aspiring leader in t...

In this episode of the Pain Points Podcast, we sit down with Ryan O’Connor, a Founding Partner and Wealth Management Advisor at Primacy Financial, a multi-specialized wealth management firm.  Ryan’s path to success is nothing short of inspiring. As a certified Financial Planner professional, he has built a career by offering tailored financial advice and written plans to business owners, high...