WNY Entrepreneur

Rob Picone’s entrepreneurial story isn’t one of overnight success—it’s one of grit, humility, and learning the hard way. After being audited twice and nearly losing everything, Rob turned things around to build a multimillion-dollar business with over 30 employees. Now, he’s sharing the lessons most business owners learn too late. In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Rob opens up about...

What happens when a business opportunity keeps showing up—and you finally say yes? For Travis Matheny, that moment changed everything. In this episode, Travis shares the real story behind his journey from reluctant entrepreneur to confident business owner and leader. With honesty and clarity, he breaks down the mistakes he made, the turning points that helped him grow, and the systems and mindset...

In this episode, we talk with Vanessa Palumbo, franchise owner of Dream Vacations, about how she turned a background in caregiving and family management into a thriving, service-first business in one of the most competitive industries out there. Vanessa shares how she leveraged relationship-building, strategic networking, and repeatable systems—not big marketing budgets—to create consistent growth...

Hiring the right people can make or break your business. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Lewis, Co-owner of StaffBuffalo, to go behind the scenes of smart hiring and uncover what business owners need to know about building teams that truly help them grow. Lauren brings her expertise from years of working with companies across Western New York, helping them find top talent and avoid costly...

Entrepreneurs are wired to hustle, but what if the real growth strategy is slowing down? In this episode, Nicole Chumsky, founder of Be Embodied, LLC and The Mindfulness Alliance, shares how mindfulness practices can shift the way business owners lead, make decisions, and handle stress. Drawing from her work in embodiment and mindfulness-based coaching, Nicole explains why awareness is not a luxur...

Planning ahead is not just about family care — it is also a principle that can transform how you run your business. In this episode, I talk with Ann Marie Klosko, owner of Eldercare Transition Consulting, about the powerful lessons entrepreneurs can learn from helping families navigate eldercare transitions. Ann Marie shares real world stories of what happens when families plan ahead — and when th...

What does it really take to launch a professional sports team—and why would someone do it without a blueprint? In this episode, we sit down with Kayla Crosby, the powerhouse founder behind the Jamestown Jackals, a professional basketball team with a mission rooted in character, community, and impact. Kayla shares how she turned a bold idea into a real franchise, why integrity and faith guided ever...

How do you take a homemade cracker recipe and turn it into an internationally recognized brand—and win one of the biggest startup competitions in the world while you’re at it? In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Brady, Founder of Top Seedz, to unpack how she went from baking in her kitchen to winning 43North’s $1 million grant, landing major retail deals, and building a fast-growing food bra...

What if one of the most valuable tools for growing your business was totally free—and you weren’t using it? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Rumbold, founder of Rumbold Consulting and certified business mentor with SCORE Buffalo Niagara, to uncover the mentorship program too many entrepreneurs overlook. Rachel shares how SCORE’s no-cost support is helping startups and small businesses thri...

Most business owners want to take care of their team—but end up offering health benefits that are overpriced, underused, or just plain confusing. In this episode, we sit down with Brian, founder of Business Health Market, to talk about the costly health benefit mistakes small businesses are making and how to fix them without blowing up your budget. Whether you’re a solopreneur thinking about your...

What does it take to grow a home organizing business from a one-woman side hustle to the largest operation of its kind in Western New York? In this episode, Tonya Cunningham, founder of Next Chapter Solutions, shares the real behind-the-scenes journey of building a 17-person team—without a business degree, startup capital, or traditional management experience. Entrepreneurs will hear how Tonya: Tu...

In this solo episode, I get real about the hard but necessary changes I’ve made over the past six months as a business owner, husband, and dad. From cutting my workweek down to three days, turning down “good” opportunities, to focusing only on profit-building activities and deep relationships—this episode is a reflection on what truly matters. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own calendar,...

Kelly Phillips, owner of The Lodge Auction House, shares how she turned a lifelong passion into a 22-year business rooted in transparency and trust. From navigating estate liquidations to managing a team through personal loss, Kelly breaks down what it takes to scale a service business while staying true to your values. Her story is a mix of grit, growth, and great business lessons. What You’ll Le...

In this solo episode, David Schaub, founder of WNY Entrepreneur, pulls back the curtain on something few business owners talk about—the unexpected downsides of growth. We all want to scale, but is it actually bringing you more peace, profit, or freedom? David shares honest insights from years of mentoring entrepreneurs, leading mastermind groups, and living the business owner life himself. You’ll...

In this episode of The Western New York Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Deacon Tasker—one of Buffalo’s top real estate agents and co-owner of Rosie’s Ice Cream, a beloved local scoop shop with two growing locations. Deacon shares how he successfully manages two very different businesses, all while raising five kids and staying deeply rooted in the Buffalo community. You’ll learn: How Deacon...

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Valerio, owner of Four Winds Chimney, to talk about how he scaled his contracting business from a one-man operation to over 50 employees in just seven years—right here in Western New York. Anthony shares how a personal injury sparked his entrepreneurial journey, how he hires and retains top talent in a tough labor market, and why focusing on people over pr...

Meet Sal Alaimo , a powerhouse in the plumbing and heating industry with over 30 years of experience and a decade as a successful business owner. Born and raised in North Buffalo to immigrant parents, Sal’s entrepreneurial journey is a story of resilience, adaptability, and strategic growth. After becoming a father at 22, Sal left college and jumped into the trades, starting as a carpenter’s appre...

Meet Tony Galbo, a Lancaster, NY native now thriving in Clarence with his wife and three boys. Tony is a natural-born entrepreneur whose passion for growth and tangible success has propelled him to impressive heights as a business owner, husband, and father. As President of Galbo Group , Tony’s journey began as a specialty contractor in masonry—but he didn’t stop there. With his construction busin...

Meet Jennifer Whitmarsh , a trailblazing entrepreneur with over 18 years of industry experience and the visionary behind Snappy Dry Cleaning . Jennifer’s path from working the front counter as a teenager to owning her own full-service cleaner is a masterclass in determination, leadership, and strategic growth. Jennifer didn’t just open a dry cleaner—she built a brand rooted in exceptional customer...

Bill Testa, President & CEO of  DirectMail 20|20  and creator of  Frintz™ , has spent over 40 years transforming the printing and marketing industry. He turned a bold idea into a patented business model that delivers free printed photos while offering advertisers a  100% open rate marketing opportunity . Beyond business, Bill is passionate about  community impact , serving as Rotary Club Presi...

What does it take to turn a creative passion into a thriving business that truly serves your community? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Adams, founder of Picture Your Walls , to talk about how he built a unique business blending art, framing, and customer service—right here in Western New York. Eric shares the lessons he’s learned after 15 years in business, including: Why relationships mat...

Owning a salon sounds like the dream—creative work, happy clients, and a team that feels like family. But what’s the reality behind the scenes? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Charles, owner of Salon Justin Charles and BOGO Properties , to talk about the challenges most entrepreneurs don’t see. Justin shares the tough lessons he’s learned while building a salon business from the ground up...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Mindel, Co-Owner of Williams Media and Houston Co, to talk about what it really takes to grow a marketing business—and what local entrepreneurs need to know before they dive into digital marketing, SEO, or scaling their team. Jeremy shares hard-won lessons from the trenches: why SEO isn’t just a checkbox, how to protect your brand in a world full of marketi...

Howard Cadmus is from downstate New York. After putting himself through college at Albany, he came to Western New York for law school and stayed in the area to work as an attorney. An entrepreneur at heart, in 2007, Howard started his own law firm and two years later started Oh Pour L'amour Du Chocolat.  He also purchased Jenny's that same year and started 1811 Comics in 2014. In 2020, he...

Shawn Glogowski, CFP®, EA has been in the financial industry for over 20 years. Ten years ago, Shawn founded Note Advisors (formerly GCW Capital Group) with his colleague and friend Tom Waring, Jr. in the hopes of providing clients a more holistic approach to wealth management.  Shawn loves sharing his knowledge with anyone who’s ready to achieve their vision in their own life and business. He spe...