Hudson Valley Hustle

Fernando Paulino turned his passion for sim racing into a thriving business called FK Sim Solutions , helping racers and gaming enthusiasts build professional racing setups. In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , Fernando shares how he: Started FK Sim Solutions as a side project in his garage Built his first rig from scratch Grew his client base through word of mouth Balanced family and busines...

Kate Baumann knew nothing about running a business when she opened her first yoga studio. What she did have was drive, a clear vision, and a willingness to learn. With the help of mentors from SCORE , Kate built Rooted Yoga from the ground up, turning one small studio in Wappingers Falls into two thriving locations across the Hudson Valley. In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , Kate shares: Ho...

When COVID hit, fitness trainer Jake Allyne lost his job, and found his calling. What started in his garage has grown into a 7-figure, mission-driven gym serving clients of all abilities . Jake joins Hudson Valley Hustle to talk about: How he bootstrapped his gym with zero funding Building a team around servant leadership Growing from “no’s” to nonstop momentum Turning passion into purpose and pro...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, Joe Amato sits down with Angelo Notaro , the mastermind behind Famous Food Events — the company behind Hudson Valley Wing Fest, Pizza Fest, Taco Fest, Empanada Fest, and more. Angelo shares how he left a successful career in the auto industry to chase his dream of bringing people together through food. From organizing his first event with 1,000 attendees to...

Bryanna Russo , owner of Furever Friends Family , went from underpaid and underappreciated at Petco to owning two thriving pet business locations — one in Hopewell Junction, NY, and another in Danbury, CT. In this episode, Bryanna shares her story of betting on herself, building her first store from scratch with no investors, and now preparing to franchise her dream . Follow Bryanna: https://www.i...

Diego Martín, owner of Hudson Valley Tattoo in Wappingers Falls, NY, left his full-time tattoo job 12 years ago to open his own shop — and never looked back. In this episode, Diego shares how he built one of the most respected tattoo studios in the Hudson Valley, grew a team of artists, and even launched the Hudson Valley Tattoo Convention that attracts talent from around the world. We talk about:...

Most people talk about starting a business. Paul Mascia actually did it. After 12 years working at BMW dealerships, he hit a breaking point and decided to open M Autwerks , a BMW-only service shop in Congers, NY. Four years later, he’s running the whole thing himself and booked out for weeks. In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , we talk about what it really takes to go from employee to busine...

Eliza Edge is creating an ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the Hudson Valley. Learn how she’s helping startups secure funding, grow revenue, and stay rooted in the region through her work with the Hudson Valley Venture Hub.

Brian Stylez went from spinning weddings to building a CRM software for DJs across the globe. Hear how he transitioned from the DJ booth to launching a tech startup right from the Hudson Valley.

Oliver Wilkinson turned his family’s British pie recipes into a booming business in Wappingers Falls. From farmers markets to frozen shipping plans, this episode dives into the hustle behind Brazed Pies—and why locals can’t get enough of shepherd’s pie and sticky toffee pudding.

Dan Feliciano is the CEO and co-founder of Clotheslyne, a peer-to-peer laundry platform that's revolutionizing how we think about laundry, gig work, and startup funding. In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, Dan shares what it takes to build a disruptive business, why most startup advice is garbage, and the brutal truths about raising money when you're just starting out. Whether you&#39...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, I sit down with personal injury attorney John DeGasperis, founder of New York Injury Law, to discuss his journey from partner at a respected law firm to starting his own successful practice. With over 200,000 followers on social media, John shares the honest realities of law school, how personal branding changed his career, and what it takes to thrive in th...

Jose Marti, sensei and owner of Marti Martial Arts Academy, joins Hudson Valley Hustle to discuss his journey from learning kung fu for self-defense in Brooklyn to becoming a community leader shaping character and discipline through martial arts. Discover how Jose blends physical fitness, self-defense, and life lessons into an impactful 23-year career.

Can you really make money doing something you love, or is it just motivational talk? Matt Hernandez joins us on Hudson Valley Hustle to share his honest story about leaving the corporate accounting world behind to open a successful salsa dance studio in Chester, NY. He breaks down the ups and downs, why salsa dancing is secretly harder than most people realize, and how he's turning students wh...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, we talk to Ron Cardillo, co-founder of Toadstool Labs, about the world of medicinal mushrooms and their impact on health and wellness. We dive deep into the benefits of medicinal mushrooms, the differences between culinary, medicinal, and psychedelic mushrooms, and how mushrooms can transform your health. Ron shares his journey, business insights, and how T...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, we sit down with Anthony Cascarino, owner of Cascarino's in Montgomery to uncover the secrets behind running a successful pizzeria for over 23 years. We discuss the challenges of the restaurant business, what makes Cascarino’s a community favorite, how to stay competitive, and the importance of adapting to change. From family dynamics to the power of word-o...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , I chat with Kevin Wilson from Relax at Home Massage , a mobile massage therapist who left the corporate world and spa life behind to run his own business full-time. We talk about: ✅ The moment he knew he had to go all in on his business ✅ Why reviews drive more leads than social media ✅ The struggles of scaling a service-based business ✅ How he learned...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , we sit down with John Ragusa , owner of the Imperial Castle, a beloved vintage toy store in Pawling, NY. John shares his journey from corporate life to running a store that’s become a haven for nostalgia lovers. Discover how his love for collecting transformed into a thriving business, the emotional stories behind iconic toys, and his unexpected leap into...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, Nina Bartholomew shares her journey from starting a Montessori-inspired educational community to running a successful business built on values of connection and joy. Learn how she balances entrepreneurship, education, and family while staying true to her mission of creating a supportive space for children and families. Connect with Nina https://littlegarden...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle, we sit down with Jason Coppola, owner of Hudson Valley Sun Rooms. Jason shares his journey of taking over a 40-year-old business, the challenges of maintaining trust in a luxury market, and the importance of empowering his team to build a sustainable future. Discover actionable lessons in entrepreneurship, reputation management, and standing out in a compet...

Zachary Gumpel of HRH Development joins us to talk about building custom homes in the Hudson Valley. We explore his transition from NYC real estate to upstate home building, the hidden costs and challenges of land development, and why so many people underestimate the process. Plus, Zachary shares tips on avoiding costly mistakes and making the dream of a custom home a reality.

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , Joe is joined by Judy Annunziata, the Fruit Queen of the Hudson Valley and owner an Edible Arrangements franchise. Judy shares her unique perspective on running a franchise like a local business, the misconceptions about franchising, and the real hustle it takes to succeed. From building brand awareness to managing holiday rushes and pivoting in 2020, Judy...

In this episode of Hudson Valley Hustle , we sit down with Russell Rojas, the young entrepreneur behind Rojas Collectibles. Russell opens up about his journey from a lifelong collector to a thriving business owner, sharing insights on taking risks, building a brand, and the power of nostalgia in the world of collectibles. Perfect for collectors, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to turn passion in...

Andrew Torres, better known as DJ Grand Finale, joins the Hudson Valley Hustle Podcast to talk about his career in entertainment and what it takes to succeed as a DJ and business owner. From humble beginnings at age 15 to running a team that handles events from weddings to nightclubs, Andrew shares insights on balancing work and family, managing pressure, and staying passionate. Tune in to discove...

In this episode, Leslie Noble of Noble Pies and her son, Zachary, join the Hudson Valley Hustle Podcast to share their entrepreneurial journey. Starting with a love for baking, Leslie turned her passion into a thriving business. They talk about the challenges of scaling a small operation, the importance of staying connected to the local community, and their dedication to delivering high-quality pi...