Growing Up B2B

In this special 50th episode of Growing Up B2B, Richard Palatini interviews the President of Delia Associates Branding & Marketing, Ed Delia. Ed discusses his journey joining and leading his family’s branding firm, lessons learned from his father, and the evolving challenges of B2B marketing. Ed reflects on the unique dynamics of family businesses, the importance of brand strategy, and insight...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Business Coach, Author, Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and Speaker, Dr. Christiane Schroeter. Christiane explores the unique challenges of family businesses, focusing on leadership, legacy, communication, and emotional intelligence. She shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, embracing wellness, and fostering inno...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the CEO and President at Knichel Logistics, Kristy Knichel. Kristy shares her journey from joining the family business at 19 to leading it as a certified women-owned logistics provider. She discusses overcoming early challenges, working with family, and transforming the company into an industry leader specializing in intermodal shipping. Krist...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the CEO at World Wide Metric, George Contos. George shares his journey as a second-generation leader, discussing the company’s evolution from a family-run marine supplier to a diversified, resilient B2B business. He reflects on lessons learned from his parents, overcoming setbacks, modernizing operations, and navigating challenges like the COV...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the CEO Mentor and Strategist, and Vistage Chair at Vistage Worldwide, Adam Blecker. Adam shares his journey growing and exiting a family-run healthcare business, highlighting the importance of clear roles, formal agreements, and honest communication in family enterprises. He discusses the challenges of scaling while preserving company culture...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Director of Strategic Growth at Gamer Packaging, Joey Gamer. Joey shares insights on joining the family business, working alongside his mother, brother, and cousin, and balancing tradition with innovation. He discusses the company’s growth, focus on personalized service, and adapting to industry trends like canned beverages and cannabis pa...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Director of Electrode Sales and Product Manager for Alumina Graphit at FRC Global, Dianne Detwiler. Dianne shares her journey from early exposure to her father's international business trips, through her education and career at Corning, to joining the family business alongside her sisters. She explores FRC Global’s growth, leadership trans...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Vice President of Sales at Carolan Packaging, Joe Carolan. Joe shares the company’s history, the challenges of running a contract packaging firm, and deeply personal stories of family resilience through tragedy and illness. He discusses lessons learned from growing up in the business, the importance of adaptability, and the value of treati...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Expert EOS Implementer at EOS Worldwide, Sara Stern. Sara discusses the unique challenges of family businesses, the importance of separating family and business roles, and practical tools like the Three Circle Model and Family Business Office Hour. Sara shares insights on leadership transitions, fostering healthy team dynamics, and the val...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Sales and Marketing Manager at Bihler of America, Adam Nordmeyer. Adam shares his journey into the family business, the challenges and rewards of working with relatives, and how Bihler delivers advanced automated manufacturing solutions for industries like automotive and medical. He covers Bihler’s technological innovations, expansion into...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the President at Montrose Molders Corporation, Brendan Wilson. Brendan discusses the company’s 60-year history, the upcoming generational transition as his father retires and his brother becomes operations manager, and their commitment to innovation and core values. He covers Montrose’s technological advancements, plans for automation and grow...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Director of Sales and Business Development at Utility Recyclers International, Sam Shine. Sam shares his journey from working outside the family business to leading its environmentally responsible recycling operations across North America. He discusses the challenges and rewards of joining a century-old enterprise, the importance of reputa...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Managing Partner at Delaware Valley Family Business Center, Sally Derstine. Sally shares insights from over 30 years advising multigenerational family businesses, discussing the complexities of leadership, governance, and succession. The conversation explores family dynamics, the importance of communication, integrating non-family executiv...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the President of Basil Advisory Group, John Basil. John shares insights from his experience in companies like Bakkt and Philco, discussing family culture, succession planning, leadership alignment, and strategies for building trust. He discusses how non-family leaders can navigate family dynamics, manage change, and drive growth, while also ad...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Production Manager and the System and Specials Project Engineer at Larson Tool & Stamping Company, Andrew Larson and Kyle Cederberg. Andrew and Kyle discuss the company’s 100-year legacy in deep draw metal stamping, the dynamics of working with family, and balancing tradition with innovation. Andrew and Kyle share personal stories abou...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the CEO and President at Anago Cleaning Systems, Adam Povlitz. Adam shares his journey from corporate finance to leading his family’s commercial cleaning franchise, founded by his father in 1989. He discusses Anago’s unique three-tier franchise model, the company’s agile pivot during COVID-19, and the ambitious $100 Million Challenge. Adam emp...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the President and CEO at Data Lab and INVAR Technologies, Vadim Shelomyanov. Vadim shares his entrepreneurial journey, from developing a university software project acquired by NYU to leading INVAR’s evolution from a family consulting business into a managed IT services firm. He discusses the influence of his parents, lessons learned from busi...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Founder and CEO of Glen Eagle, Susan Michel, and the President and CIO of Glen Eagle, Rob Michel. Susan and Rob discuss building and evolving a family-run wealth management business, focusing on legacy, reinvention, and succession planning. They highlight the firm’s unique family-driven culture, the importance of transparency and vision, a...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the VP of Grocery at IT Retail, Luke Henry. Luke discusses starting in tech support and marketing, leading the development of a cloud-based POS system for small grocers, and navigating the challenges of family business dynamics. He shares insights on scaling the company, the emotional process of selling to Quilt Software, and lessons learned f...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Executive Vice President of The Mid York Press, Kyle Tenney. Kyle shares his journey from production roles to leadership in his nearly 200-year-old family packaging business. He discusses the evolution of company culture, the impact of AI and sustainability trends, and the challenges of today’s labor market. Kyle offers advice for future f...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the President of Fintelligent, Rob Ripp. Rob discusses the unique financial challenges faced by family-run and founder-led businesses, especially those with $2–$10 million in revenue. Rob shares insights on achieving financial clarity, the emotional side of financial decisions, and the importance of structured financial processes. He also cove...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Founder of Wealthrive, Noah Rosenfarb. Noah shares how his family background shaped his approach to business, the lessons learned from selling companies, and his philosophy of being "rich beyond money"—aligning wealth with personal values and purpose. He covers family business dynamics, the impact of AI on entrepreneurship, and the importa...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the CEO and Founder of NOMADICS, Nicholas DAmbrosio. Nick discusses NOMADICS’ evolution from environmental work to defense contracting, the challenges of federal procurement, and the integration of his father-in-law as company controller. He explores family business dynamics, adapting during COVID-19, and NOMADIC’s commitment to community and...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the President and Operations Manager, Brielle Freda, and the Vice President of Brewster Washers, Tom Freda. Brielle and Tom Frieda are fifth-generation leaders of Brewster Washers. They discuss the challenges and rewards of running a century-old family business, reflecting on their upbringing, the legacy of previous generations, and lessons le...

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, Ed Delia interviews the Founder and COO of Defined Frameworks, David Forster. David shares his journey of building and exiting businesses with his wife, Tabitha, highlighting the importance of communication, clear roles, and systems in family-run ventures. He discusses challenges faced by home service businesses scaling from $2M to $5M, the value of delegation, a...