New York's Business Podcast

Stepping into the world of Marisa Orlich Interiors is stepping into a philosophy: updated traditional design—where history, pattern, wallpaper, antiques, and warmth meet modern livable spaces. In this episode of New York’s Business Podcast, Marisa shares how she creates homes that feel curated, personal, and deeply lived-in… not like a magazine set or a fleeting Pinterest trend. Marisa works with...

Meet John Sampogna, CEO & Co-Founder of Wondersauce, the business-acceleration agency behind some of the fastest-growing modern brands. In this episode, John breaks down how a joke URL became a 100-person company, why brands today are failing at marketing, and what it really means to build growth through authentic storytelling. We dive deep into the shift from traditional performance marketing...

One of the biggest issues in mental health today? The wait. Six weeks. Eight weeks. Sometimes… no response at all. Christina DiBernardo, Founder & Executive Director of Expressive Connections Mental Health Counseling, set out to change that. From day one, Christina designed a practice that doesn’t turn people away — especially families in crisis. She built a diversely trained, multicultural cl...

At Village Therapy & Wellness, mental health support isn’t one-size-fits-all — it’s tailored to every stage of life. Co-owner Lisa Murphy and her team work with children as young as six through every phase of the lifespan, including teens, adults, couples, and families. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, major life transitions, or the growing challenges of raising teens in the digital age — the...

When Jessica Marques, co-founder of Village Therapy & Wellness and Village Vibes, was first invited to start a private practice, her answer was simple — no. After nearly two decades in social work, helping people with complex mental health challenges, Jessica was craving more freedom and balance, especially as a mother. But stepping into entrepreneurship felt terrifying. It took one unexpected...

This week on New York’s Business Podcast , meet Michael Riddle , the founder of NY BBQ Guys — a chef, marketer, and builder who embodies what it means to turn passion into purpose. Michael’s story spans decades: from washing dishes in an Italian pizzeria in the 1980s to becoming a global marketing VP, to now running one of Long Island’s most exciting new barbecue brands. What started as a backyard...

Meet Andreas Leptourgos, founder of BuyBackX, a company transforming how we think about used electronics. After buying and selling over one million devices worth more than $100 million, Andreas is redefining the tech resale experience through speed, transparency, and quality. His mission? To prove that secondhand shouldn’t be second rate In this episode, Andreas shares how BuyBackX sets a new stan...

Meet Ajmal Ismail , founder of Reduce Costs Now , a Long Island–based company helping families and businesses lower their everyday expenses — from car insurance and property taxes to mobile plans and internet bills. What started as Ajmal giving friends and clients financial advice while working in the mortgage industry evolved into a thriving business that has saved families an average of $1,000 a...

Before becoming a business coach, Jessica Moloney spent nearly two decades as a licensed mental health counselor. Today, she uses that same deep understanding of human behavior to help women master visibility, messaging, and mindset inside her business-building mastermind, Boss Babes Who Brunch. In this episode, we talk about how she turned her personal growth journey into a professional mission —...

He Started a Media Company with Zero Experience — and Is Already Crushing It Meet Luke Citarelli , the 21-year-old founder of Citarelli Media Co. , a fast-growing social media and advertising agency helping businesses scale through strategic content, lead generation, and ads that actually convert . Luke’s story is pure entrepreneurial grit. With no videography or editing background, he built his c...

From Healing Others to Healing HerselfMeet Rebecca Perry, owner of The Shen Den, an oasis for massage therapy and relaxation based in Patchogue, NY. Rebecca’s journey is one of transformation — from 11 years in healthcare to building a space where people can slow down, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. In this episode, we talk about:– The power of unplugging in a world addicted to busyness–...

From Combat Veteran to Business Coach: Geoffrey Costa’s JourneyWhat does it take to rebuild your life, redefine success, and create a business around clarity and purpose? This week on New York’s Business Podcast, I sit down with Geoffrey Costa, Founder of Lead Forward Strategies and author of the Amazon best-seller Forged in Armor, Freed by Love. Geoffrey’s journey is nothing short of remarkable —...

On this week’s episode of New York’s Business Podcast , we sat down with Kristina DeMarco , owner of Harbor & Co Esthetics in Woodbury . Kristina never set out to own a business—but when her work environment left her unfulfilled, she took a leap. Two years later, she’s built a thriving practice focused on natural alternatives like lymphatic drainage and buccal massage , while proving that soci...

Taxes Don’t Have to Be Scary — They Can Be Strategic. Most business owners dread taxes. Rachel Michaelov built her career by making them a pathway to growth . Rachel is the Founder and President of Empire Tax Advisors and Practice Wealth Partners Inc. She started her journey nearly 20 years ago, sparked by a deeply personal family experience, and scaled from working alone to leading a 25-person te...

On this week’s episode of New York’s Business Podcast, I sit down with Andrea Sarjoo, founder of Panier Cadeau, a modern concierge gifting company that transforms the way we think about giving. Andrea shares her story of growing up in Guyana, the cultural values of community and resourcefulness that shaped her, and how a simple suggestion from her sister-in-law sparked the creation of her business...

This week on New York’s Business Podcast, I sit down with Nick LaPoma, (AKA NickTheTutor), founder of Curvebreakers Test Prep in Garden City, NY. Nick’s journey is unique—he went from being a top student and Division 1 soccer recruit, to a licensed attorney, to launching one of Long Island’s fastest-growing test prep companies. In this episode, we talk about:✔️ Why the college process is really an...

This week on New York’s Business Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Publio Silfa , founder of Silfa Dental Aesthetics in Commack, NY. A third-generation dentist, Dr. Silfa is transforming the way patients experience dental care by blending cutting-edge technology with purpose-driven connection. In this episode, we dive into: ✔ How he uses 3D digital avatars so patients can “test drive” their new smile...

This week on New York’s Business Podcast, we sit down with Samantha Teran , founder of Samter Cleaning Services , to explore how a side hustle born out of necessity grew into one of Long Island’s most respected residential and commercial cleaning operations. Samantha started cleaning homes to bring in a little extra income while pregnant—but when she realized how much trust her clients placed in h...

Meet Siobhan Ainsworth , co-owner and founder of Long Island Igloos . What started in 2019 as a unique way to celebrate her own December birthday has now grown into a business with over 150 igloos across New York and beyond. From intimate backyard milestones to major corporate activations with brands like MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, Penn State, and the Buffalo Bills , Long Island Igloos has become a go-to...

"From Therapist to Marketing Maven: Melissa Ingino’s Fearless Journey" Meet Melissa Ingino — CEO & Founder of Grit and Grace Design Studio and Co-Founder (with Gena Vitale Bradshaw) of Fearless Founders | Network Community . In this episode, Melissa shares her incredible pivot from a decade-long career as a psychotherapist to becoming a creative branding agency owner helping impact-driven comp...

From Surviving to Thriving: How Gena Bradshaw Vitale is Changing the Game in Holistic Health & Business Meet Gena Bradshaw Vitale — two-time cancer survivor, owner of Holistic Human Performance , and co-founder of Long Island’s Fearless Founders | Network Community . Her journey from overcoming life-threatening illness to building a business that blends ancient healing practices with modern sc...

Why Most Airbnbs Miss the Mark — Tyler Wojcik “We’re not just trying to be a checkbox on your vacation list.” — Tyler Wojcik Tyler Wojcik, co-owner of Adirondack Lakeside Getaways, shares how their boutique cabins go beyond what most short-term rentals offer. From the start, Tyler and Erin wanted their guests to feel cared for — not just accommodated. They personally stayed in every cabin to fix c...

How a Scientist Turned a Hidden Property Into One of Lake George’s Best Boutique Cabin Getaways Meet Erin Joyce , the cofounder and co-owner of ADK Lakeside Getaways (Adirondack Lakeside Getaways). Alongside her partner Tyler, Erin has built a collection of boutique cabins in the heart of Lake George, NY—designed to give families a nostalgic, one-of-a-kind Adirondack experience. In this episode, w...

"What if every business loan came with a CFO to guide you?" – Devin Gambino, CEO & Founder of Lendefied Devin Gambino saw a major gap in the lending industry and built Lendefied to fill it. Instead of just handing over capital, Lendefied provides lending bundled with fractional CFO, CMO, and CTO services — a combination almost no one else in the country offers. Their model helps smal...

Meet Jessica Bianculli, the owner and founder of Skin Bar New York! Jessica built her business with a unique approach: combining the science of medical aesthetics with a holistic, wellness-driven philosophy. After working for plastic surgeons and med spas, she took the leap toMeet Jessica Bianculli, the owner and founder of Skin Bar New York! Jessica built her business with a unique approach: comb...