Building Success Stories with Ann Donnelly

In this episode, Joël Lynn Ralph shares her journey from a family background in kitchen and bath design to establishing her own business. She discusses the challenges and joys of being self-employed, the intricacies of kitchen design, and her passion for reviving historical homes. Ralph emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs and building strong relationships, while also reflecting...

Update 2/17/2026: Cleome announced on its Facebook page that it is closing on 3/1/2026. Best of luck to Jakob and the team on their next ventures. Join Ann Donnelly as she learns about the culinary (and business) journey of Jakob White, the chef and co-owner of Cleome Table and Bar in Glens Falls, New York. Discover how Jakob's passion for cooking led him from Glens Falls to Boston to the Virgin I...

In this episode, Ann speaks with Chuck Copenspire, Creative Strategist and Author, who shares his journey from overcoming social anxiety through improv to building a successful marketing business, Identity Pending. Chuck discusses the importance of networking, authenticity in marketing, and the role of vulnerability in connecting with clients. He emphasizes the need for disruption in traditional m...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Carrie Barber, a medical legal consultant with a rich background in nursing and healthcare. Carrie shares her journey from being a nurse to establishing her own Medical Legal Nurse Consulting practice, discussing the challenges she faced, the importance of networking, and the fulfillment she finds in her work. The conversation al...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Wendy Waldron, CEO of WaldronWorks, who shares her journey from the "corporatey" world to entrepreneurship. Wendy discusses the importance of community, accountability, and the challenges she faced while starting her business. She emphasizes the significance of overcoming self-doubt, embracing risks, and the value of implementing...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly speaks with Ginny Brandreth, COO of Zobel and Co Kitchens. Ginny shares her journey from a marketing career to entrepreneurship. Ginny, who is also the current Chair of the Women's Business Council of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, discusses the importance of networking, the challenges of starting a business, and the support a...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Jess Keller, a photographer who has opened a community-focused space in Glens Falls, Light & Lens Studios. The conversation explores Jess's journey into the art of photography, the vision behind creating a space for local artists, and the importance of community engagement. The discussion also touches on the challenges of bui...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews James Rubino, Co-Owner of LakeGeorgeVacay.com , a luxury vacation rental management company. They discuss the inception of the business, the unique offerings that set it apart in the market, and the importance of creating memorable experiences for guests. James shares insights on navigating the luxury rental market, the significa...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Sheila Greco, founder and CEO of SGA Talent. Sheila shares her journey from a bond trader to a successful recruitment entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of risk-taking, research, and understanding competition in business. The conversation covers various aspects of recruitment, including the significance of niche focus, effe...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Johanna von Geldern, owner of Mint Farm to Table Restaurant. Mint grew a dedicated following quickly when it opened in Glens Falls in 2022 and is now expanding with a new location in Slingerlands opening in March 2025. Johanna shares her journey into the culinary world and emphasizes the connection between food, health, and welln...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Keri Wytrwal, co-owner of Shipology, a woman-owned fulfillment center that supports small businesses in the e-commerce sector. They discuss the origins of Shipology, the challenges faced during growth, and the importance of flexibility and adaptability in business. Keri shares insights on hiring practices, the significance of cli...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Victoria Bushey, co-owner of Kingsbury Printing. They discuss the origins of the family business, the transition of leadership, and the importance of community engagement. Victoria shares insights on the challenges faced in the printing industry, the significance of client relationships, and the future plans for expanding their s...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly speaks with Erica Wood and Vittoria Buzzelli from Meliora Law Firm about their journey in establishing a law firm that prioritizes collaboration, sustainability, and a supportive culture. They discuss the challenges of starting a new business, the importance of aligning with core values and creating an approachable environment for clients....

In this episode, Ann Donnelly speaks with Lourene Bouffard, Owner of Every Penny Bookkeeping & Business Services, who shares her journey from aspiring CPA to entrepreneur, detailing the challenges she faced while starting her business during the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of building strong client relationships, networking, and providing tailored solutions to meet the uni...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Kevin and Neelo Jaikeran, the owners of Queensbury Billiards. They discuss their journey from Guyana to opening a unique billiards hall that offers not only pool but also a diverse menu inspired by their cultural background. The conversation highlights their commitment to customer service, community engagement, and the importance...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann speaks with Paula Traina, a dedicated State Farm agent with offices in Queensbury and Glens Falls who has built a thriving business rooted in community involvement and a passion for helping others. With a strong foundation in the insurance industry and a commitment to personal and professional growth, Traina has positioned herself as a trusted advis...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews Nicole Rothe, a seasoned physical therapist and personal trainer. They discuss Nicole's journey in the health and wellness industry, her holistic approach to training, and the importance of community building. Nicole shares her experiences working with diverse clients, her plans for a new studio, and her unique brand identity as...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, I speak with Riham LaRussa, owner of Saratoga-based Small Packages, a company built on the idea that gift-giving should be personal and stress-free. Riham left the corporate world to take over Small Packages in late 2022 and aims to empower customers to find the perfect gift for any occasion. Small Packages offers a variety of gift boxes, each filled wi...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly interviews culinary power couple Jenny and Chris Dore, who have recently taken over the Peppermill Family Restaurant in South Glens Falls. They discuss their backgrounds, the legacy of the restaurant, their vision for the future, and the importance of community engagement. Chris shares his culinary journey and the thoughtful process behind...

In recent tourism news, Alaska raised cruise tourism limits as residents’ concerns about over-tourism grew. Over-tourism is an increasing issue in trendy tourism destinations, and one solution that will keep revenue flowing is to focus more on bringing in visitors outside the regular busy season. Unless downtime is needed for maintenance or other recovery, selling year-round is a goal of most busi...

This week's topic is aimed at those who may not listen to podcasts, but you may have a relative or friend who could use this advice, so please spread the word! With nearly three-quarters of the US population using social media regularly, it’s a given that digital marketing is the best way to generate leads and get more customers in almost any type of business. Yet, a few people still feel that wor...

It’s time to review your goals and targets from earlier this year. Ideally, you’ve been reviewing these weekly or at least monthly, but so many people don’t, which is why this mid-year assessment is critical.  It’s so easy to lose track of time this time of year. Schools are out, vacations and holidays happen, and we get out of our routine. Hopefully, you are having fun and enjoying the fruit...

In this episode of Building Success Stories, discuss how to build a successful relationship with your digital marketing agency, the audio from a video presentation I've recently recorded. Throughout my years in digital marketing, I've met many business owners who did not have a good relationship with their digital marketing agency. Often, they were unsure if the agency was providing the services t...

In this week's episode of Building Success Stories, Seth and I welcome Kate Austin into the studio. Kate is the Founder, Owner, and CEO of Advokate, LLC . Advokate empowers startups, small businesses, nonprofits, and artists with the marketing tools they need to be successful. Born and raised in Killington, Vermont, Kate resides in Glens Falls, New York, with her dog Sasha and her three kiddos, He...

A few weeks ago, I came across a very insightful episode of the Ed Mylett Show on a four-hour drive from my daughter's college. I couldn’t wait to get home, listen again, take notes, and share the episode with everyone! Mylett’s guest was Leila Hormozi, and the topic was Transform FEAR into FUEL. Mylett had recently had dinner with Hormozi and her husband, Alex, who are highly successful entrepren...