PODCAST · business
WNY Entrepreneur
by David Schaub
If you love Western NY AND Entrepreneurship; this is the podcast for you. David Schaub interviews the top entrepreneurs in WNY about business. If you’re anything like me you want to learn from the top people in the industry. You want to learn their secrets, their failures, what really works and what doesn’t. In this podcast we get to the “nitty gritty” stuff Entrepreneurs want to know and learn. It’s great to learn from Entrepreneurs from across the world but what about the amazing people in our own backyard? Here we learn from people who live in the Western NY area and thrive here in Business
Episodes
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He Took the Risk Most Engineers Won't - Brian Balthasar | Balthasar Industries
Getting laid off is usually seen as the end of a chapter. For Brian Balthasar, it became the beginning of everything. After losing two corporate engineering jobs, Brian made the decision that changed the course of his career. Instead of looking for another employer, he took a risk, bought CNC...
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He Built Over 100 Manufactured Home Communities - Jeff Cook | Cook Properties
Most people think manufactured home communities are a niche corner of real estate. Jeff Cook built one of the largest portfolios in New York State by thinking differently. In this episode, Jeff shares how he went from buying a single manufactured home community to owning and operating more than…
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He Bet His Retirement on an Idea - Tom Akers | Junk Free Skin
Most people would never do it. Tom Akers took his retirement savings and bet it on an idea that had never been done before. No roadmap. No guarantees. And no experience running a manufacturing company. In this episode with Tom Akers, founder of Junk Free Skin, we talk about building a company…
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From Swinging a Hammer to CEO - Patrick Hayter | Hayter Construction
When Patrick Hayter started his construction company, he was swinging the hammer himself. Doing the work. Running estimates. Managing projects. Handling sales. Everything. But eventually he realized something every growing business owner learns: You cannot scale if you are doing everything...
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Most Business Owners Get SEO Wrong - Mariah Magazine | SEO Consultant
Most business owners think they have an SEO problem. Many actually have a visibility problem. Or a messaging problem. Or they are simply focusing on the wrong things. In this episode with Mariah Magazine, award winning SEO consultant, educator, and creator, we talk about the biggest SEO myths...
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The HR Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Business - Alyssa Klimuszka | HerHR Solutions
Most HR problems do not start big. They start small. A bad hire. Poor communication. Managers avoiding hard conversations. And eventually… It turns into turnover, conflict, or lawsuits. In this episode with Alyssa Klimuszka, founder of HerHR Solutions, we talked about the HR mistakes business...
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What Most Service Businesses Get Wrong - Clyde Miller & Jacob | Level Up Painting
Most service businesses start the same way. More jobs. More trucks. More people. And then suddenly… More chaos. In this episode with Clyde Miller and Jacob, co owners of Level Up Painting, we talked about what most service businesses get wrong when they start growing. This was one of the most...
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Why Most Business Owners Overpay Taxes - Heath Hendrickson | Allied Financial Partners
Most business owners think tax season is the problem. It is not. The real problem is going the entire year without a real strategy. In this episode with Heath Hendrickson, partner at Allied Financial Partners, we talk about why so many business owners overpay in taxes, feel overwhelmed…
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She Built a Business in Survival Mode - Tereasa Janese | Diva Girlz Cleaning Service
Covid hit. She lost her job. Bills kept coming. And unemployment checks never showed up. So she did what a lot of people talk about… But never actually do. She started a business. In this episode with Tereasa Janese, owner of Diva Girlz Cleaning Service, we talk about building a business as a...
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What It Really Takes to Open a Venue - Elaine Hanford | The Venue at The Trail
Starting a venue sounds simple. Find a space. Fix it up. Book events. But that is not how it actually works. In this episode with Elaine Hanford, owner of The Venue at The Trail, we break down what really goes into opening and running a wedding venue. From the idea… To the build out… To the…
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Love What You Do or Don’t Do It - Pete Andrews | Eagle 1 Photography
In this episode with Pete Andrews from Eagle 1 Photography, we talk about what it really looks like to love your work. Not when it is easy… But when it is repetitive, frustrating, and requires discipline. In this episode you will learn: • Why passion shows up in the small things • The difference...
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Stop Building a Transactional Business - Anthony Butera | Owner of Keller Williams in Buffalo & Rochester NY
Most business owners think they are building something real. But a lot of it is just… transactions. Short term. Fast moving. No depth. And eventually… it catches up. In this episode with Anthony Butera, owner of Keller Williams in both Rochester and Buffalo along with other vertical businesses…
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Can You Actually Sell Your Business? - Austin Moyer | Business Broker
You think you have a business. But would anyone actually buy it? Most owners never stop to ask that question until it is too late. And the answer is not what they expect. In this episode with Austin Moyer, we get real about what makes a business sellable and what quietly kills its value. In this...
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What Are We Really Passing Down As Business Owners? | Family Series | David Schaub
This is Episode 4, the final episode in David Schaub’s four-part Family Series, where we’ve dug deep into what it really looks like to own a business as a husband and father. No guests. No interviews. Just real conversations about ambition, marriage, and legacy. This episode shifts the focus...
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Run Your Family Like A Business | Family Series | David Schaub
This is Episode 3 of David Schaub’s four-part Family Series: a solo run that gets into the nitty gritty about what it actually looks like to build a business as a husband and father. No guests. No interviews. Just real conversations about ambition, alignment, and intentional leadership at home....
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Physically Home, Mentally Gone Family Series David Schaub
Welcome to Episode 2 of David Schaub’s Family Series: a four-part solo run that gets honest about what it really looks like to build a business as a husband and father. No guests. No surface-level talk. Just the real tension most owners feel… and rarely say out loud. This episode hits a truth…
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Does Our Business Ruin Or Empower Our Families? | Family Series | David Schaub
For the first time ever, we’re kicking off a solo series with podcast host David Schaub. This is a four-part series called The Family Series. No guests, no surface-level talk. Just real, honest conversations about what it actually looks like to build a business as a husband and dad… and the...
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Separating Vision From Execution | Mark Siwiec | Elysian Homes
Many founders hit a ceiling not because they lack vision but because they’re still the one executing everything. In this episode, Mark Siwiec (Elysian Homes) shares what he learned the hard way about stepping back from day-to-day tasks, building the right team, and clearly separating the role of...
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The Cost of Waiting on IT | Chris Sirianni | IT Insights of Rochester
Most owners don’t think about IT until something fails and by then, the damage is already done. In this episode, Chris Sirianni (IT Insights of Rochester / GRC Insights) explains why reactive technology decisions quietly drain profit, erode trust, and put your data (and revenue) at risk. He lays...
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Using AI Without Selling Your Soul | JMan Maneiro
AI isn’t here to replace your relationships, it’s here to buy back your time so you can deepen them. In this episode, Jeremias “JMan” Maneiro (JMan Seminars • The Maneiro Team • Big Brain Chatbots) breaks down how founders and small teams can use AI as leverage, not replacement without losing...
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Moving States to Build a Business | Joanna O’Connell | C and J Dryer Vent Cleaning
What does it really feel like to move six hours away, know no one, and launch a service business from scratch? In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Joanna O’Connell shares the unfiltered story of rebuilding her life and business reputation in a brand-new market one conversation, one...
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The Questions that Shape Your Year | David Schaub
Most entrepreneurs rush into January with fresh goals, but little reflection. In this solo episode, David Schaub (founder/host of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast; mastermind facilitator; publisher of Buffalo & Rochester Real Producers) walks through the simple year-end process he uses to realign…
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How Entrepreneurs Play Monopoly | Cheryl LaTray | LaTray Unlimited
After 35 years across flips, rentals, and market resets, Cheryl LaTray has built a career on one core skill: knowing when to buy, when to hold, and when to walk away. In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Cheryl breaks down entrepreneurship as Monopoly in real life—cash, assets,...
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Taking Over a Failing Family Business | Patrick Donovan | Aladdin’s Carpet Cleaning
What happens when you inherit a well-known family business that’s losing trust, running on outdated systems, and fighting to stay relevant? In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Patrick Donovan shares how he stepped into Aladdin’s Carpet Cleaning, made the tough calls, and rebuilt a...
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The Line Between Hobby And Business | Kathryn O’Donnell | Botanicus Interior Landscaping
What does it take to grow a creative business into a thriving legacy? In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Kathryn O’Donnell, the powerhouse behind Botanicus Interior Landscaping, a company that’s been quietly beautifying Buffalo’s commercial spaces for over 50 years....
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From CTO to Consultant – Emily Carlson – PBA Consulting
After three decades in the tech industry, Emily Carlson found herself laid off and at a crossroads. Instead of jumping back into the corporate world, she leaned into the unknown and launched her own consulting business, PBA Consulting. Now, she helps entrepreneurs, startups, and leadership teams...
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Fail Fast, Learn Faster – Robb Everhart – Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp
Imagine launching your business one week before the world shut down. That’s exactly what Robb Everhart did. As co-founder of Fairway Home Mortgage in Rochester, NY, Robb and his wife opened their doors just days before the COVID lockdowns began in 2020. But that’s just one chapter in a story…
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Finding What Makes You Most Alive – Dan Greco – Most Alive
What happens when success on paper doesn’t feel like success in real life? In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Dan Greco, founder of Most Alive, to talk about the uncomfortable but powerful moment he walked away from a high-ranking corporate career to build something...
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From College Dropout to Housing CEO – Christian Bauman – Buffalo Corporate Housing
What if you could build a thriving real estate business — without owning a single property? In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Christian Bauman, founder of Buffalo Corporate Housing, to hear how he went from broke college dropout at 21 to managing over 50 fully...
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From Audit Fears to Business Freedom – Rob Picone – Picone Landscaping & Snow Plowing
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...
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From Doubts to Ownership – Travis Matheny – Burn Boot Camp Williamsville
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...
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From Stay-at-Home Mom to Franchise Owner – Vanessa Palumbo – Vacations by Vanessa
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...
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Behind the Scenes of Smart Hiring for Business Owners – Lauren Lewis Co-owner of StaffBuffalo
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...
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The ROI of Self Awareness: Why Entrepreneurs Need Mindfulness to Scale - Nicole Chumsky - Founder of Be Embodied
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...
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The Power of Planning Ahead: Lessons From Family Transitions That Apply to Business – Ann Marie Klosko, Eldercare Transition Consulting
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...
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How to Build a Pro Basketball Team from the Ground Up – Kayla Crosby, Founder of the Jamestown Jackals
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...
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From Kitchen Table to Global Shelves – Rebecca Brady, Founder of Top Seedz
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…
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The Free Resource Most Business Owners Overlook with Rachel Rumbold – Score International
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...
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The Health Benefit Mistake That’s Costing You Top Talent – Brian, Founder of Business Health Market
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…
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How Tonya Cunningham Grew WNY’s Largest Organizing Team at Next Chapter Solutions
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…
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What I’ve Learned the Past 6 Months as a Business Owner - David Schaub
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…
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From Appraisals to Auctions: Building a Brand on Transparency and Trust
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...
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The Hidden Cost of Business Growth No One Talks About - David Schaub, Founder of WNY Entrepreneur
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...
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From Real Estate to Ice Cream: Scaling in Two Industries
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…
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The Systems Every Contractor Needs to Scale – Anthony Valerio, Owner of Four Winds Chimney
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...
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Scaling After a Setback: How Sal Alaimo Rebuilt His Business After Injury
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...
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When to Risk It All: How Tony Galbo Knew It Was Time to Expand
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...
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Beyond the Business: Jennifer Whitmarsh on Community, Leadership, and Success
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...
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From Idea to Industry Disruptor: How Bill Testa Revolutionized Direct Mail Marketing
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…
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How Eric Adams Built a Business Around Art, Service, and Community
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
If you love Western NY AND Entrepreneurship; this is the podcast for you. David Schaub interviews the top entrepreneurs in WNY about business. If you’re anything like me you want to learn from the top people in the industry. You want to learn their secrets, their failures, what really works and what doesn’t. In this podcast we get to the “nitty gritty” stuff Entrepreneurs want to know and learn. It’s great to learn from Entrepreneurs from across the world but what about the amazing people in our own backyard? Here we learn from people who live in the Western NY area and thrive here in Business
HOSTED BY
David Schaub
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does WNY Entrepreneur have?
WNY Entrepreneur currently has 220 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is WNY Entrepreneur about?
If you love Western NY AND Entrepreneurship; this is the podcast for you. David Schaub interviews the top entrepreneurs in WNY about business. If you’re anything like me you want to learn from the top people in the industry. You want to learn their secrets, their failures, what really works and...
How often does WNY Entrepreneur release new episodes?
WNY Entrepreneur publishes regularly with 220 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to WNY Entrepreneur?
You can listen to WNY Entrepreneur on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts WNY Entrepreneur?
WNY Entrepreneur is created and hosted by David Schaub.
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