The Jon Schultz Podcast: The Myth of Overnight Success

Some guests make you rethink what words like resilience, gratitude, and perseverance actually mean. Michael O’Hearn is one of those people. When I started this podcast, the whole point was to explore what success really looks like behind the scenes. The years nobody sees. The sacrifices, setbacks, failures, and moments where people could have quit but didn’t. Michael’s story might be one of the pu...

Some guests walk into a conversation and quietly rewrite everything you thought you knew about grit, timing, and what it really means to bet on yourself. Gretchen Wilcox is one of those guests. I have known Gretchen Wilcox for decades, and she is a true trailblazer in our industry. She is the first, and to this day, the only female-founded commercial real estate mortgage banking firm in the United...

If there is one person who truly embodies the theme of this podcast, it is George Gellert. We talk a lot about the myth of the overnight success, and George is the living, breathing proof that the "top" is built on decades of grit, early mornings, and a level of drive that most people just aren't ready for. George is an absolute titan in the food industry, but his story starts way before the globa...

What turns a kid from Brooklyn into a leader who builds and rebuilds big businesses, then starts over again by choice? Meet Mike Tepedino, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Light Capital, whose path runs from six gritty years in loan workouts on the “what can go wrong” side of real estate became the foundation for everything that followed. We get into the leap to brokerage, the Chinese-restaura...

What if one phone call could completely change the trajectory of your life? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Johnson, a scientist turned entrepreneur, president of the New Jersey Innovation Institute, and now author of 1% Dad.  His story is one of relentless work ethic, fearless curiosity, and the ability to seize opportunity when it knocks, even if you don’t recognize it at first. From a...

What happens when you put a university president who's weathered pandemics, launched massive campaigns, and chairs the Bruce Springsteen Archives in a room with great questions? Pure gold.  In this episode, I sit down with Patrick Leahy, President of Monmouth University, for one of those conversations that reminds you why leadership stories matter. Patrick takes us through his incredible journey f...

Imagine putting every dollar you've saved on the line for your very first business deal at just 24 years old. Could you handle that pressure? Ed Russo did, and it turned out to be the best decision he ever made. On this episode of my podcast, I’m with Ed Russo, my good friend and CEO of Russo Development, one of New Jersey's top real estate firms. Ed shares behind-the-scenes stories packed with va...

If you’ve ever felt like building a business is one never-ending battle, you’re not alone. Bill Greenblatt, a pioneer in the background screening industry, gets it. He built a company from a paper route mentality into a global giant—and every step of the way, something went wrong. In this episode, Bill and I talk about what it really takes to succeed. The setbacks. The stress. The deals that almos...

How does someone go from humble beginnings to shaping the future of architecture? In this episode of my podcast, I talk with Christian Giordano, the president and co-owner of Mancini Duffy, a firm that’s worked with Netflix, Disney, HBO, and other global brands. Christian’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. Christian shares how his struggles with dyslexia and learning difficulties as a...

What does it take to go from a small-town kid with big dreams to running a firm that’s handled over $100 billion in real estate deals? Find out as I sit down with Simon Ziff, president of Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group. Simon’s story isn’t just about success; it’s about the hustle, the relationships, and the decisions that shaped a career spanning decades. From mastering the art of building trust o...

What drives a kid from Long Island to turn his sneaker obsession into a global luxury brand? In this episode, I sit down with Jon Buscemi, the creative mind who turned his love for sneakers and street culture into iconic brands that push the limits of style.  Jon opens up about his unique path—from customizing sneakers as a kid to working on Wall Street to fund his sneaker obsession and then break...

In this episode, I chat with Stephen Cusato, the creative mind behind "Not Another Cooking Show." Stephen shares his story about how his love for cooking started early, inspired by watching cooking shows and working his first job in a kitchen. His journey took him from running a food truck to becoming a popular YouTub influencer with millions of followers, teaching people how to cook in a fun and...

This episode marks a significant milestone: Kimberly Taikina's 23 years at Onyx Equities.  Kimberly opens up about her journey from her initial role to becoming pivotal in managing our operations. She reflects on the early days, the evolution of her responsibilities, and how she has influenced our company culture. Throughout the discussion, Kimberly underscores the profound impact of her upbringin...

In this episode, I had a great conversation with my good friend and golf buddy, Doug Cifu, CEO of Virtu Financial and co-owner of the Florida Panthers. Doug's journey from a hardworking kid in Syosset, Long Island, to a successful lawyer and eventually an entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. We dive deep into his experiences, from his early days landscaping and working at Carvel to his 18-y...

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Giuliani, the visionary co-founder behind Playa Bowls. Rob's story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, revealing how a small idea sparked on the Jersey Shore evolved into a nationwide brand with over 280 locations.  We explore the foundational values Rob brought from his military background—like precision and perseverance—and how these have been key to Playa...

Join me on this captivating episode of my podcast, where I sit down with the dynamic Borko Milosev, CEO of Post Road Management, LLC. From his early days as a determined student from Serbia to becoming a prominent real estate entrepreneur and triathlete, Borko shares the trials and triumphs of his career. Learn about his disciplined approach to business during the economic downturns, his strategic...

In this captivating episode, Leon Cooperman, a veteran in investment and philanthropy, shares the intriguing story of his professional life. From his early days at Goldman Sachs to founding Omega Advisors and later managing his wealth through a family office, Lee provides a comprehensive overview of his journey.  Throughout the episode, Leon shares the pillars of his success, focusing on the blend...

Join me on this week's insightful episode of the podcast as we dive deep into the world of finance and leadership with the remarkable Samara Cohen, Chief Investment Officer of ETF and Index Investments at BlackRock. Managing over $6.6 trillion of assets, Samara offers a wealth of insights from her remarkable near three-decade career at the forefront of finance, highlighting the profound impact of...

Tune in to the latest episode of my podcast, where we dive deep into the stories behind the success. In this episode, I'm thrilled to host Fred Voccola, the dynamic CEO of Kaseya, who has transformed the IT management and security software industry. From an annual revenue of $85 million to over a billion, Fred shares how Kaseya has expanded through strategic acquisitions and innovative thinking, g...

Step into a story of transformation and tenacity with Daniel Dart, whose life has taken turns worthy of a Hollywood script.  Once a member of a rising punk rock band, Daniel faced his share of dark times, from battling legal issues to confronting personal demons. But rather than let these challenges spell his end, they marked the beginning of an astonishing metamorphosis. In this captivating episo...

Meet Garett Goodman, the visionary founder behind the sensational pizza brand "How Ya Dough'n." Born out of a pandemic hobby and fueled by an unyielding entrepreneurial spirit, Garett shares the inception story of his unique pizza venture, which began with a Kickstarter-funded pizza oven and a simple yet passionate idea to create something remarkable. Alongside his incredibly supportive wife, Gabb...

Explore Verizon Consumer Group's transformative world as we examine the strategic vision and leadership of executive vice president and CEO Sowmyanarayan Sampath.  From his humble beginnings in Kolkata, India, Sampath's journey is a testament to the values of education, family, and respect, which have fueled his rise to the top echelons of Verizon. He shares the bold moves and strategic decisions...

Dive deep into the world of real estate and personal growth with the dynamic and inspiring Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens.   Known for her sharp intellect, compassionate leadership, and unwavering dedication to excellence, Bess shares her remarkable journey from a young girl inspired by the power of advocacy and justice to leading one of the most prestigious real estate firms in the Un...

In this episode, we welcome Chris Giammo, the Executive Vice President of TD Bank Group and Head of Commercial Banking. Chris shares his remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in North Jersey, through the pivotal moments that shaped his career in banking, to his current role leading TD Bank's commercial banking ventures across the United States. Throughout the episode, Chris offers insights...

Join Sandy Petrocelli Jr., the visionary CEO of Allan Briteway Electrical Contractors, Inc. Electrical Contractors, as he shares his experiences and the valuable lessons learned from transitioning from a sports-loving youngster in Brooklyn, New York, to leading a major player in the electrical contracting industry.  Sandy opens up about the early days of his career, his pivotal move to New Jersey,...