Behind the Frame

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson are joined by Ted Carter, president of Pinehurst Landscapes. As a second-generation business owner, Ted shares the strategic, architectural, and structural changes required to scale a family business from a 1960s local lawn route into one of Maryland’s premier landscape design and construction firms. The Evolution of a Family B...

In this episode, hosts Jay Duffy and Annette Quigley switch gears to explore the high-risk, immediate-feedback world of the entertainment business with viral stand-up comedian Dominic Solesky. Dominic shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at building a digital brand with hundreds of millions of views while navigating the intense psychological resilience required to perform live stand-up comedy....

In this episode, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson welcome Laura Reynolds, the founder and CEO of Executive Endurance Coaching. As a competitive ultrarunner and triathlete, Laura unpacks the true definition of an "endurance mindset" and explains how the mental grit required to survive a grueling multi-mile race directly applies to the challenges of corporate leadership and sustainable business gro...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy sit down with Dr. Pete Diacoloukas, owner of Love Your New Smile. Moving far beyond traditional "drill and fill" dentistry, Dr. Diacoloukas shares how he built a boutique brand centered on life-changing transformations and the business strategy behind high-end cosmetic care. A Lifetime in the Lab: Dr. Diacoloukas reveals that dentistry is the on...

In this episode, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson are joined by Dimitrios Komninos, founder of Dmitri Olive Oil. This episode explores how Dimitrios transformed a 200-year-old family legacy into a premium international brand through grit, education, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Pure Quality from Grove to Gallery The Anatomy of Real Olive Oil: Dmitri explains that true extra virgin...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Annette Quigley are joined by Dr. Sarah Cannon, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Cannon Dermatology in Bel Air, Maryland. Dr. Cannon shares her journey from the burnout of traditional, high-volume insurance practices to pioneering a direct care model that prioritizes quality time and evidence-based medicine. The Direct Care Revolut...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Morgan Watson and Annette Quigley are joined by entrepreneurs Kurt Selmer and Michael Clark. Together, they discuss their unique partnership and the creation of Park and Social, a members-only car storage and social club that merges high-end automotive care with community building. From Passion to State-of-the-Art Operations: Kurt Selmer discusses transit...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Morgan Watson and Annette Quigley are joined by Robert "Rob" Commodari, a multifaceted entrepreneur, author, and host of the Chiseled podcast. This episode dives deep into the psychology of high achievement, the spiritual catalyst for personal growth, and the internal battles that define successful leaders. The Masterpiece in Progress: The Origins of "Chi...

In this episode, Jay and Morgan are joined by Danny Whitehurst, Co-Founder of Ten Oaks Builders. This episode goes deep into the world of land development and high-end custom home building, emphasizing that the "messy middle" of construction is best managed through transparency and radical accountability. From Lacrosse to Land Development: Danny reflects on his transition from being a college goal...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with Alessandro Vitale, CEO of Highland Sporting Outfitters. Alexandra shares a masterclass in turning a lifelong passion into a premier gallery experience, navigating the complex world of high-end shotguns and land development. Building a Gallery Experience: Alexandra discusses how he moved away from the "seedy gun sh...

In the 13th episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson are joined by Mike Naylor, Co-Founder and CEO of Direct Mortgage Loans (DML). Mike shares the high-stakes journey of building a full-scale mortgage lender from the ground up, starting from a snowy car accident to achieving a massive $1 billion milestone in annual mortgage originations. The "Accidental" Career: Mike reveals...

In this episode of the Behind the Frame podcast, hosts Morgan Watson and Annette Quigley sit down with Kelly Casalena, owner of Kelly’s Hair Design in Joppa, Maryland. Kelly is not only a seasoned cosmetologist but also a trichologist—a specialist in the science of hair loss and scalp disorders. The Science of Trichology: Kelly explains that her work exists at the intersection of aesthetic care an...

Hosts Morgan Watson and Annette Quigley are joined by Brent D. Francis, a third-generation funeral director and the owner of Parkview Funeral Home. This episode provides an insightful look into the "business of compassion," debunking common industry myths while offering practical business advice for surviving a shifting landscape. Generational Roots & Modern Realities: Brent shares his journey...

In this episode, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson interview the legendary voice of the Baltimore Ravens, Emmy-winning sportscaster, leadership and communication coach, and founder of the Sandusky Group, Gerry Sandusky. Gerry, who humorously describes the feeling of playing a "pickup game with an NBA player" when doing a podcast, shares the often non-linear and accidental path that led him from a...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson welcome Dr. Paul Fox, the owner and lead veterinarian at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital. Dr. Fox purchased the practice in 1994 , and it has since become a comprehensive care center in Northern Baltimore County, offering everything from diagnostics and dentistry to surgery and general treatment for small animals. Dr. Fox shares h...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with a good friend of Jay's, Joe Perez, the owner and operator of Outsiders CrossFit. Joe's gym is described as one of the most disciplined, tight-knit, and fast-growing fitness communities in the region, built on accountability, culture, and pushing people past their perceived limits. The conversation dives deep into...

Ready to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving business as a husband-and-wife team? This episode of Behind the Frame goes beyond the highlight reels to sit down with Cory and Stefanie Skidmore, co-owners of a Celebree School franchise, as they discuss the messy, yet rewarding, middle of scaling a business centered on family and community. Jay Duffy and Annette Quigley t...

Welcome to Behind the Frame, where we go beyond the LinkedIn bios and Instagram highlight reels to talk about what really happens when you’re building something from scratch. In this episode, Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with their close friend, Joe Rector, Co-Founder of Pelican Property Management! Joe and his co-founder, Jordy, took the leap to start Pelican in 2013 and have since grown...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy, Morgan Watson, and Annette Quigley sit down with former NFL wide receiver Qadry Ismail — also known as “The Missile.” Qadry shares stories from his football career, what it taught him about teamwork and perseverance, and how he’s applied those lessons to life after the game. The conversation explores resilience, leadership, and finding purpose...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with Nick Waldner, real estate entrepreneur and team leader of the Waldner Winters Team, to talk about building a thriving business, leading with integrity, and creating lasting client relationships. Nick shares how he grew his real estate business, the challenges he faced along the way, and the mindset that has fueled...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with Joe Conciatori, a successful Maryland restaurant owner, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a business that reflects your values. Joe shares his journey from the challenges of starting out to running a thriving restaurant, offering an inside look at the grit and determination it takes to succe...

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson talk with Eric Rittmeyer, a former U.S. Marine, mental toughness expert, and national speaker on emotional intelligence. Eric brings a no-nonsense perspective on what it takes to stay resilient—mentally, physically, and emotionally—in both business and life. Together, they explore the connection between emotional discipline, le...

In the premiere episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sits down with Mariela C. D'Alessio, a dynamic leader and entrepreneur, to discuss what it really means to build a career—and a life—on your own terms. Mariela shares the pivotal choices, personal values, and professional experiences that shaped her path, offering honest insight into both the challenges and rewards of f...

Get ready to go Behind the Frame, a new podcast that brings you inside the minds of Maryland’s top business owners and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Jay Duffy, co-founder of Frame Wealth, this series dives into the real stories behind building a business: the bold moves, the missteps, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Each episode features candid conversations with some of the most succ...