EPISODES

Nicholas Rafanello is president and CEO of Eastern Janitorial Company, which was started in 1977 by his father. A janitor working at night to make ends meet, Nick’s dad realized it was financially lucrative to start his own business. Now, under Nick’s strategic direction, they have expanded into many divisions beyond janitorial services including flooring and handyman divisions. Nick, like his father before him, believes that client satisfaction is paramount.

Francisco Vizcaino-Marmol, along with his wife, son, nephew and niece started F&S Digital in 2019 after closing his growing small business and immigrating with his family to the US from the Dominican Republic. An agency centered around creating and supporting custom-built websites, web apps, and mobile apps for companies of all sizes, F&S Digital’s core service ensures that no organization or entrepreneur is ever limited by their technical knowledge, or their team’s bandwidth to adopt cutting-edge technology. 

York Building Services, Inc.  is a leading commercial cleaning contractor providing innovative janitorial solutions to office and industrial facilities in northern New Jersey and hospitality groups in New York City. 

With more than 20 years of industry experience providing quality-assured building services, they have established themselves as a reputable and trustworthy facility service provider that honors integrity and is customer service driven.

  Alexander Sweetwood is president and owner of Unique Photo, a 75-year old business with stores in Fairfield, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Unique Photo believes that a dedicated staff makes a true difference in overall quality when it comes to our customer's shopping experience. Every member of the Unique Photo staff is passionate about photography in some way whether they're active professionals or dedicated hobbyists.

  Beacon Converters, celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, continues to ascend in the ranks of the top 500 U.S. Women Owned businesses and top 50 in the state of New Jersey.  Beacon manufactures flexible sterilization packaging systems in medical grade materials, including DuPont™ Tyvek®, single and multilayer films, paper, and laminations containing foil, paper and film, suitable for all sterilization methods.

Systems Business Coach Inc.® (SBC) provides small business owners with education, coaching, and training to help companies scale and grow. Their programs are developed using known adult learning principles and combine the best practices of coaching: where neuroscience and human behavior are applied for optimal engagement and consulting: where pragmatic business principles are easily explained and applied.

Erica Lasan of JOYrney to Purpose works with people in transitional phases because it’s an experience that she knows all too well. Se helps you figure out “what’s next,” while keeping a smile on your face and your spirits up while feeling unprepared for the major changes around the corner. She helps to live up to the expectations of society, the cultural traditions, or norms that others have set up for you without your feeling hopeless.

Darin Pepple is a veteran of fifteen years' service in the U.S. Army, advancing from private to captain. He enlisted in 2000, graduated West Point in 2007, served two tours in Iraq, and led soldiers on hundreds of combat patrols. His debut novel, Dodgebomb, was inspired by his transition out of the military in 2015 and his attempts to explain his Iraq War experience to average Americans. Originally from Lancaster, PA, he currently works and resides near Washington, DC.

Estro Digital Communications is a national award-winning minority-owned digital agency that provides creative content, website development, e-commerce, strategic sales & marketing, advertising, and analytics. First generation brothers Christian and Steven started their entrepreneurial journey with the encouragement of their immigrant parents.  Estro Digital was formed in 2011 and the brothers have been building their own roadmap ever since. 

K. Johnson Enterprises is a company built on solid business practices determined to transform ideas into reality. In a responsible manner, we are uncovering synergies in the marketplace that meet the needs of the community. Through strategic planning and a commitment to detail, K. Johnson Enterprises is dedicated to the development, growth, and innovation of business practices necessary to stay competitive in a demanding marketplace while concentrating on the client’s vision, product or service.

As the chief executive officer and co-founder of MAINGEAR, Wallace Santos strives to maintain the company’s position as the best computer manufacturer in the PC industry. .Santos had combined his love of performance and customization into what is now MAINGEAR's custom PCs. Wallace continues to focus on growing the company through the development of innovative computers which possess a mix of high-end power and performance. 

Margo, Lisa and Corrine Chowansky of HC Constructors, which for over 30 years, has taken pride in partnering with customers who share their commitment to high-quality workmanship, adherence to project schedule and job-site safety. For HC Constructors, safety and quality are integral parts of their company culture. HC's work experience includes a broad range of projects, specializing in a niche market among the utilities and the pharmaceutical industries.

Ryan Sanzari is President of Alfred Sanzari Enterprises which is celebrating their 75th anniversary. The firm has long been one of New Jersey’s most respected and successful office, residential, industrial and hospitality developers and property managers. Guided by the founding ideals espoused by Alfred Sanzari, the company has adhered to the highest standards of integrity and trustworthiness in every aspect of its work and continues to uphold those values today as the firm enters its third generation of family leadership exemplifying how family businesses can find multigenerational success. 

      Max Janoff is Manager of Sales and Hunter Janoff is Managing Partner of the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, New Jersey. Founded in 1917, the Crystal Plaza is a fourth-generation family owned and operated luxury catering and event production company. Four Janoff family members—brothers, sisters, aunts, and fathers —work side-by-side daily. Within their 150 team members, several generations of other families also call Crystal Plaza Group home.

Driola Kaloshi is the executive chef and owner of LaPergola Ristorante in Millburn, New Jersey. Driola is an experienced executive chef with a demonstrated history of working in the restaurant industry for ten years. She is skilled in management, leadership, and social media. She has strong business development and professional training from Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy and School Le Cordon Blue in Paris.

 Life Support Systems was founded in 1977 by Larry Smith and for over 40 years, their goal has been to empower their clients to effectively respond to a wide range of medical emergencies by offering comprehensive solutions that include equipment, on-site service, and training. As the nation’s leader in emergency readiness, LSS sell and service all makes and models of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and are the premier resource in the design, selection, implementation, and maintenance of AED programs.

  Jennifer Demetrius, Executive Director of the Dale Caldwell Foundation, is a financial consultant. She has held the titles of finance director, division controller and IT portfolio manager. More than a Finance Executive that understands the numbers, she is a visionary strategic planner and operational partner to businesses who ties all of this into the financial performance of the company. She has consistently partnered with GM's, Managers and Senior VP's providing the decision support to grow the business.

 

  Robert Bennett is Founding Member and Executive of Reconnect Tech. Robert's  expertise consists of consulting executives in the communications service providers and digital transformation space, developing effective marketing strategies, sales and sales support practices, project management, product development and commercialization, strategic planning, process development and reengineering, telecommunications network planning, team building, skills training, workforce development and public speaking.

 Vincent Finaldi is Vice President of TeleData Solutions and Cloud Phone Specialist, Unified Communications, TeleCloud is the on-the ground, hands-on unified communications provider. He is part the second generation of a no-nonsense down-to-earth team who cut to the chase and get the job done with a human touch. They focus on delivering on what counts - the seamless, innovative solutions clients need and localized personal service they deserve.

Founded in 1913 and re-established upon the repeal of Prohibition in 1934, Opici became a household name under the leadership of the late Hubert Opici, an “American Wine Legend.” Today, the company is managed by Don Opici, fourth generation, and boasts a portfolio of more than 50 brands from around the world. An importer and producer of fine wines and artisanal spirits, Opici Wines and Spirits has been family owned and operated since its inception. 

 Joe Gordon is  Sr. Project Developer for Sunvest, focused on commercial, industrial and non-profit clients in Illinois. Joe has been in the solar industry since 2004.  His knowledge of solar incentives and project financing has brought additional value by combining the fast payback and robust returns that solar provides with the ability to conserve an organization’s cash reserves. Joe’s passion for solar technology is surpassed only by his desire to achieve his clients’ highest satisfaction.

ZAGO Manufacturing is an award-winning family-owned business that began over 25 years ago at the New Jersey Institute of Technology Enterprise Development Center's small business incubator. A full-fledged global manufacturing company, Zago operates from a 100-year old refurbished factory in Newark, NJ. It takes pride in being one of the world’s largest and most respected producers of custom, high-tech, clean and inherently green sealing solutions and components.    

  Prince Leadership is an expert in Business and Strategic Planning, Growth Consulting, Leadership Effectiveness, Financial Management, Change Management, Employee Engagement and Health Care Outcomes. Its goal is to help our clients solve problems, make tough decisions and develop a plan to achieve sustained business success. With more than 30 years of leadership in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry, Larry Prince has been key in helping organizations change behavior to improve performance and strengthen leadership.