Standing on Business

How do you go from being born in a Cambodian concentration camp to becoming an entrepreneur, professor, author, and leader helping shape the future of an entire community? In this episode of  Standing on Business , we sit down with  Dr. Emad Rahim , entrepreneur, educator, author, and Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Development at Bellevue University...

What separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else? Is it intelligence? Work ethic? Luck? Or is it something deeper? In this episode of Standing on Business, we sit down with Dr. John Torrens, entrepreneur, investor, former healthcare executive, and Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management. Dr. Torrens shares his journey from launc...

In this episode of Standing on Business, we sit down with Dr. Samantha Lombardi, founder of Primal Chiropractic, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, health, and what it means to build a business rooted in purpose. From launching a specialized chiropractic practice focused on families, pediatrics, and prenatal care to growing a thriving team in Central New York, Dr. Lombardi shares the less...

For many people, homeownership feels further away than ever. Rising home prices, higher interest rates, and constant headlines about the housing market have left many would-be buyers sitting on the sidelines. But what if waiting is actually costing you more? In this episode of  Standing on Business , Joseph Dougherty, VP of Lending at CrossCountry Mortgage, breaks down the realities of today's...

What if success wasn’t about climbing the ladder as fast as possible? What if it was about building a career that actually supports the life you want to live? In this episode of  Standing on Business , Sara Schiavone shares her journey into real estate, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why she believes alignment matters more than chasing someone else's definition of success. We discuss...

After COVID, people weren’t just looking for workouts anymore. They were looking for connection. In this episode of  Standing on Business , Ashlee Fiorini shares the story behind Pulse Lagree Fitness and how she turned a series of pop-up classes into one of Syracuse’s newest boutique fitness studios. From hauling machines in a U-Haul across Central New York to building a thriving community around...

The restaurant industry looks polished from the outside. On the inside, it’s constant pressure, unpredictability, and problem solving in real time. In this episode of  Standing on Business , Jeff Deloff, chef and owner of Touche in Syracuse, breaks down what it actually takes to build and run a restaurant. From starting as a dishwasher to leading a full concept built around whole-animal butchery a...

Most people don’t struggle with knowing what to do. They struggle with doing what they said they would do. In this episode of  Standing on Business , Dan Goldberg of Syracuse Sweat Club breaks down the habit that impacts every area of your life and business: keeping the promises you make to yourself. We dive into discipline, self-integrity, and the gap between intention and execution. Dan shares h...

Alejandro Gonzalez didn’t start with investors, generational wealth, or a roadmap. He started washing dishes, watching waiters, saving every dollar, and taking risks most people wouldn’t. From nearly going bankrupt just days before receiving his liquor license to building Margaritas, Tequilas, and Inkas into cultural staples in Syracuse, this episode is about sacrifice, faith, family, and relentle...

Raisa Zhovklaya is the operator of Project Lean Nation in Syracuse, and her approach to business is rooted in discipline, service, and real lifestyle change. In this episode of Standing on Business, we dive into what it takes to build a wellness brand that goes beyond convenience and creates lasting impact. We talk about transitioning from healthcare into entrepreneurship, building systems that su...

Episode 4 – From the Counter to the Cornerstone | Tony Calascibetta (Cam’s Pizza)Cam’s Pizza didn’t become a local staple by accident. It was built through consistency, faith, and a deep commitment to serving people well. In this episode of Standing on Business, Tony Calascibetta shares the origins of Cam’s, what it took to grow from behind the counter into a cornerstone of the community, and the...

Kyle Patchett’s journey proves that real success is built on service, not shortcuts. Growing up in Syracuse, learning the craft of barbering locally, and then spending years in New York City, Kyle developed a people-first philosophy that ultimately led him back home to open Forum Barber in Downtown Syracuse. In this episode of Standing on Business, we talk about why taking care of people matters m...

John Ryan’s path into finance was anything but traditional. Starting out on a dairy farm, moving into industrial automation, and eventually becoming a financial planner, John built his career by learning systems, process, and long-term thinking at every step. In this episode of  Standing on Business , we talk about why unconventional backgrounds can create better decision-makers, how working with...

Welcome to Episode 1 of the  Standing on Business Podcast  by Black Stag Industries. We’re kicking off the series with Chattanooga home builder  Paul Pototsky , a craftsman, entrepreneur, and operator who believes one thing above all:  passion is the difference-maker . In this conversation, Paul breaks down how passion shows up in the smallest details, why it separates good from great, and how bui...