Welcome to Going Beyond The Deal. The show for founders, business owners, and professionals who want to grow smarter, achieve bigger exits, and build a legacy that lasts. Your host is no other than, J. Michael Fischer Jr – connector, life-long student of personal growth, and Managing Director at DBD – a bespoke investment bank that helps businesses handle big financial moves. Each week, we look beyond the numbers and the deals to talk about what really drives success. You'll hear from entrep ...
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J Michael Fischer Jr Dbd Investment Bank Podcasts
Breaking Barriers Celebrates 5 Years helping Entrepreneurs and motivated people learn and grow through the painful, yet true journeys of our guests. CEO & Founder of Adapting Social (Global Ad & Design Agency), John A. Vagueiro, created this podcast to provide valuable content to entrepreneurs starting, struggling or wanting to take their shit to the next level! We are blessed to have the help of successful founders, artists, actors, athletes, and television personalities who share their sto ...
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Managing Director of DBD Investment Bank M&A and Capital Formation - J. Michael Fischer Jr.
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42:04From bank teller to Managing Director of a bespoke investment bank, J. Michael Fischer Jr. (DBD Investment Bank), reveals the counter-intuitive secret to his insane career growth: give first, always. It changed everything. Subscribe for more insights and inspiration.By Adapting Social
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CEO of 43 Oak Advertising - Sean Grevy with Their Advertising Specialist - Gary Newman
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57:44You want powerful partners? Find ones who want you, not need you. Our latest Breaking Barriers dives into building confidence, mutual respect, and why great work speaks for itself. Subscribe for more insights and inspiration.By Adapting Social
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27 | Earl Foote | How Creativity and Culture Drove 40%+ Growth
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47:51What if the secret to scaling a tech business wasn’t just strategy but soul? In this deeply human conversation, Michael sits down with Nexus IT Consultants founder and CEO Earl Foote to unpack how he’s built one of the fastest-growing managed IT and cybersecurity firms in the country, not through hustle and grind alone, but by leading with creativi…
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26 | Jeff Silbert | The Secret To Sustainable Growth With People, Process, Passion
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38:33What if your next business opportunity wasn’t about building from scratch, but building smarter? In this conversation, Michael reconnects with longtime friend and franchise entrepreneur Jeff Silbert, co-founder of 10 Hand & Stone locations and regional developer for Moxie Salon. Jeff shares how he went from coding at Accenture to scaling membership…
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25 | No Asshole Rule: Refuse The Wrong People, Win Big Anyway
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11:32What if the secret to long-term success isn’t about who you can work with but who you refuse to? In this candid solo episode, Michael J. Fischer breaks down a principle that’s shaped both his personal and professional life: The No Asshole Rule. From his early years as a “baby banker” grinding through endless networking events to his current role as…
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Owners of The Bond Society - Jacquie Busichio and Lyndsey D'Alessandro
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1:09:08One idea. That's all it took to start this business. 🤯 On this high-energy episode of Breaking Barriers, we sit down with Jacquie Busichio and Lyndsey D'Alessandro of The Bond Society to unpack their journey. They share how a love for jewelry and a single conversation led them to launch a full-blown permanent jewelry business before anyone else in …
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Publisher of Wall Township Living - Ed Parise
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39:24By Adapting Social
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Business Owner and Hair Artist - Christina Messano of Halo Hair Haus
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23:24Stop trying to fit in. Your biggest competitive advantage is already you. This week, Christina Messano of Halo Hair Haus shares powerful advice for every entrepreneur: "Your uniqueness is your superpower." Christina gets real about ignoring criticism, staying true to a vision (even when it looks different), and how her refusal to settle for the sta…
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24 | Why Your 40s Might Be Your Most Important Decade Yet
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11:15What if your greatest opportunity for growth starts the moment your comfort zone ends? In this powerful solo episode, J. Michael Fischer, Jr. shares a raw, personal reflection on how personal development transformed not just his career but his identity. From working as a janitor and rebuilding alternators to becoming Managing Director at a bespoke …
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Owner of Battle Real Estate - Anthony Battle
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54:36"You can't complain that your plate is full if your whole reason for doing this was to eat." That's the powerful truth shared by our guest this week, Anthony Battle of Battle Real Estate. On this episode of Breaking Barriers, we get into what it truly takes to succeed in the real estate business—from tough negotiations and creative financing to bui…
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23 | Amos Bar Joseph | How to Leverage AI for 100x Business Growth
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46:15What if the future of business isn’t just about hiring more people, but about creating organizations where humans and AI collaborate to unlock 100x growth? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Amos Bar Joseph, co-founder and CEO of Swan AI, a company building AI agents designed to transform go-to-…
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Rich Calandra - Founder of VidaRich Coffee Booster
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20:47On our next episode of Breaking Barriers, we're challenging the myth that you can out-exercise a bad diet. Our guest, Richard Calandra, the founder of VidaRich, shares a powerful truth: what you put into your body is the real foundation of your health. He explains why fad diets and quick fixes don't last and often do more damage than good. We also …
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22 | Chase Ramey | How to Transition from Corporate to Startup Life
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59:26What would make someone leave a high-paying Big Four accounting career, take a 50% pay cut, and join a four-person startup with no systems in place? And how do you grow that business into a globally recognized health and wellness brand? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Chase Ramey, CFO…
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Managing Partner at Trinity Solutions USA - Drew Smith
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50:45Think a 90-day late payment on your credit report is a permanent scar? Think again. On this week's Breaking Barriers, we're joined by Drew Smith, Managing Partner at Trinity Solutions USA, who debunks this myth and reveals a surprising legal loophole. He shows how simply knowing the system can help you challenge inaccurate marks and reclaim your cr…
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21 | Reggie Ford | How to Create Impact by Being Your Authentic Self
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1:05:13What happens when you achieve everything you thought would bring happiness — and still feel empty? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Reggie Ford, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Perseverance Through Severe Dysfunction, and founder of the Vulnerability Muscle framework. Reggie shares hi…
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Owner of Jaydien Network Solutions - Brian Fleishman
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49:27Imagine clients so loyal that they follow you to the new company you haven't even started yet? On this episode of Breaking Barriers, we talk to Brian Fleishman of Jaydien Network Solutions about the moment he realized his skills were his greatest asset. He shares the story of how his phone kept ringing with former customers, even after he left his …
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20 | Blake Balsamo | How to Avoid Burnout While Reinventing Your Career
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52:08What does it take to walk away from a secure, successful career in commercial banking to pursue something entirely new? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Blake Balsamo, Executive Director, Americas at i2i Logic. Blake shares how he transitioned from being one of New Jersey’s most well-known commerc…
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Mindfulness Advocate and Creator of the Mindful Buddy App - Jeremy Yencer
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50:11Success is not a number. That's just one of the simple truths we uncovered with Jeremy Yencer, father, mindfulness advocate and creator of the Mindful Buddy app, on this week's Breaking Barriers. In a world obsessed with the grind, Jeremy offers a refreshing perspective on mental health, true success, and the real-world education we're missing. His…
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19 | Abe Kasbo | How to Make Better Marketing Decisions Today
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54:45How do you build a brand in the digital age without falling for hype, gimmicks, or empty metrics? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Abe Kasbo, marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and author of the upcoming book Irresponsibly Digital, to unpack what’s really working in marketing today. W…
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Founder / Owner of Revive Health and Wellness - Dr. Joe Marchitelli
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50:55It's one thing to run a business, but another to answer your true calling. On our new Breaking Barriers episode, we sit down with Joe Marchitelli, owner of Revive Health and Wellness, who shares his inspiring journey back to his practice, first to help his son and then to help others with similar struggles. Joe reveals how returning to his purpose …
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18 | George Alifragis | How to Leverage Private Credit for Business Growth
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50:19What if financing your business didn’t feel like being capped by traditional bank constraints or compromising majority control and equity? In this insightful episode of Going Beyond the Deal, J. Michael Fischer sits down with George Alifragis to explore how private credit is reshaping the world of business financing. George opens up about his perso…
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What lies within you? The way you show up daily is affected by how you're doing internally (mentally, emotionally + physically). That's the secret to resilience for Jenn Plescia of IVs by the Sea. This nurse practitioner and business owner knows the struggle of juggling it all and shares this crucial truth: "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘆…
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17 | TJ Bongiorno | How to Turn ADHD into an Entrepreneurial Advantage
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51:17What happens when a high-performing sales engineer with ADHD launches a nootropics company from scratch and actually makes it work? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with TJ Bongiorno, founder of Ramp Health, for a dynamic and wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, brain performance, p…
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16 | Trent Steele | How to Choose Purpose Over Profit in Your Career
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47:59What does it mean to build a business around purpose instead of profit? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Trent Steele, founder of the Anti-Predator Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and sexual predators in the United States through the use of specially …
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Owners of Iconic Candy - Kim & Jordan Wiesner
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48:55For some entrepreneurs, the business is more than a job – it's ingrained. Meet our next Breaking Barriers guests, Kim & Jordan Wiesner of Iconic Candy, who live by that mindset. They reveal why their partnership thrives (despite what others might think about working with a spouse!) and how their passion means it 'never turns off.' From late-night p…
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15 | Jeff Parnell | How to Prepare Your Business for the Next Generation
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46:51In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. speaks with Jeff Parnell, a seasoned CEO, advisor, and author with deep expertise in helping businesses navigate major transitions. With decades of experience spanning ecommerce, consumer goods, food manufacturing, and more, Jeff shares how his work with companies of all s…
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Owners of Porterhouse Party - Joe Fraschilla and Pete Annarumma
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1:09:10How do you get in front of the right people? "Be available. Don't say no. Make it happen." That's the unfiltered advice from our next Breaking Barriers guests, Joe Fraschilla and Pete Annarumma from Porterhouse Party! They share incredible stories, from landing gigs with Bravo TV's Real Housewives to Carmelo Anthony, all by saying YES to opportunit…
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14 | John Carpenter | How to Optimize Vendor Contracts for Better Profitability
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46:50In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. welcomes John Carpenter, National Practice Partner at ERA Group and a strategic advisor known for helping companies stop cash leakage and improve profitability through smarter expense management. John shares real-world strategies for driving EBITDA growth by optimizing ven…
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Co-owner of Tacoholics - Nick DeAngelo
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1:14:25To every young entrepreneur battling rejection: This is for you. Our Breaking Barriers guest, Nick DeAngelo of Tacoholics, knows that fight. He was laughed out of banks, ready to throw in the towel after countless "no's" for a $35K loan. The moment he heard, "I wouldn't invest in you," was his turning point. Nick didn't quit; he doubled down, ignit…
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13 | Chris Murphy | How to Treat Every Role as Essential in Your Firm
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49:23What does it take to build a law firm that runs like a high-performance business—not just a legal practice? In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, host J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Chris Murphy, partner and co-founder of Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP, to explore the entrepreneurial mindset behind building a thriving, people-c…
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Performance Nutrition Coach and Owner of Pro Concepts Training - Frank Provenzano
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51:00Movement + gratitude can do wonders for your mentality. Our latest Breaking Barriers guest, Frank Provenzano, owner of Pro Concepts Training and a performance nutrition coach, shares his game-changing daily checklist for optimal living. Forget complicated routines – Frank's simple 5 make a real difference: ☀️ Sunlight 🥗 Healthy Food 💧 Hydration 🏋️ …
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12 | Michael Johnson | How to Cultivate Essential Habits for Success
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46:53What does it take to transform innovation from buzzword to impact? Michael Johnson, PhD, has built his career around bridging the gap between ideas and execution across biotech, business, and fatherhood. In this episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. dives deep into Michael’s remarkable career path—from his early days …
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Founder and Managing Attoryney at Rozin | Golinder Law - Elizabeth Rozin-Golinder
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34:03Butterflies fade, but debt and differing political views? Those tend to stick around. 😉 Our next Breaking Barriers guest, Elizabeth Rozin-Golinder of Rozin | Golinder Law, is here to give you the real talk about marriage. Elizabeth, who sees the "end of things" daily, wants you to truly know your partner. Because, as she wisely puts it, marriage is…
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11 | Zach Kuehne | How to Lead a Legacy Business into the Future
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53:03Ever wonder what it takes to keep clean water flowing to millions of homes—day after day, year after year? For Zach Kuehne, it’s more than a job. It’s a family legacy spanning over a century. As the president of the Kuehne Company, Zach is on a mission to modernize one of the oldest and most vital services in the world: water disinfection. In this …
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Psychedelic Life Coach and Founder of The Psychedelic Parents - Nikita Lavallie
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28:29Hot take: Can psychedelics be more effective long-term compared to medication? 🤔 Our latest Breaking Barriers guest, Nikita Lavallie, psychedelic life coach and founder of The Psychedelic Parents, courageously shares her journey. After being prescribed medications post-pregnancy, she experienced unexpected shifts. This led her to explore alternativ…
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Owner of Joe Leone's Italian Specialties - Joe Leone
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53:05Think running a business for nearly three decades is easy? Think again! 😉 Our next Breaking Barriers guest, Joe Leone of Joe Leone's Italian Specialties, pulls back the curtain on what it really takes. Joe shares that for him, criticisms can be flattery and that perfection is a myth, especially in food. You'll love his candid take on quality, chall…
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Owner of The Juice House - Arielle Cassidy
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49:14Our latest Breaking Barriers guest, Arielle Cassidy, owner of The Juice House, is proud to admit that she's a micromanager with her "first baby" and pour out her hands-on love. Why? Because it's all about making sure the customer feels that same joy she has about food and nutrition. Because for her "food and nutrition doesn't have to be scary, it c…
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Certified Connection Coach and an Award-winning Advocate for Change - Jodi Grinwald
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28:52Get ready to seize the day! Our next Breaking Barriers guest, the extraordinary Jodi Grinwald, is a Certified Connection Coach and an award-winning advocate for change. In this episode, Jodi offers a deep perspective: "Today is the day. You can't go back to yesterday, and you don't own tomorrow." It's a gentle, yet powerful, reminder to release the…
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10 | Darek Hahn | How to Build Authentic Leadership in a Tech-Driven World
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57:15How can business owners thrive in a tech-driven world without losing human connection? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with executive and cybersecurity expert Darek Hahn for an eye-opening conversation about navigating business growth, technology, and authentic leadership. Far from a typical tech t…
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09 | Buddy Valastro | How to Build a Business That’s Both Famous and Grounded
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49:33What if the defining moment of your life came at 17, and you had to grow up overnight? In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with the one and only Buddy Valastro, a.k.a. the Cake Boss, for a deeply personal conversation about legacy, leadership, and the drive that turned a Hoboken bakery into a gl…
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08 | Charles Scott | How to Embrace Discomfort for Personal Growth
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59:02What if the real pivot in your life isn’t about chasing more, but choosing growth over comfort? In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Charles Scott, former Intel Corporation executive turned executive mentor, to explore what it truly means to live a life of vitality, purpose, and self-directe…
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07 | Bill Duerr | How to Lead a Family Business into the Digital Age
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48:05In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Bill Duerr, President and CEO of Hatteras, a leading print and packaging company with deep family roots and a strong innovation streak. What began as a bold move by Bill’s father in 1983 has since evolved into a thriving middle-market business that blends…
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06 | Manuel Aczualdez | How to Build a Sustainable Brand in the Spirits Industry
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37:09What drives an entrepreneur to leave a successful corporate career and start something entirely their own? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Manuel Aczualdez, founder and CEO of Drink Good Spirits, to uncover the story behind his journey from working for industry giants like Diageo and Clase Azul to creating a brand …
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Owner of Radiator Grille Store - Eric McHugh
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20:11If you help enough other people to get what they want, you'll get what you want." Our Breaking Barriers guest, Eric McHugh of Radiator Grille Store, emphasizes that business is about more than just the initial sale. By providing great products AND exceptional service, we become true partners to our customers, building relationships that extend far …
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05 | John Ziss | How to Transition from Family Business to Venture Capital
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48:11What does it take to transition from family business leadership to venture capital, M&A, and sustainable investing? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with John Ziss, President of Coral EV, to discuss his journey through entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic business growth. John shares how growing up in a family bus…
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04 | Kyle Shroufe | How to Scale Your Business Without Debt or Investors
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48:06How do you build a multi-eight-figure company from scratch without taking on debt or investors? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Kyle Shroufe, CEO and Co-Founder at Opal Energy Group, to discuss his journey in the commercial solar industry and the strategies behind his company's massive success. Kyle shares how he w…
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03 | Ted Stone | How to Bridge the Gap Between Tech and Executive Teams
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32:39What happens when you blend the precision of engineering with the strategic thinking of finance? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Ted Stone, Managing Partner at TechCXO’s New York office, to explore how the right systems and leadership can make or break a business. From his early career as a “recovering engineer” to…
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Building a business is tough enough. Imagine adding doubt from those around you. 💔 Entrepreneurship demands resilience, and having someone who truly believes in you is everything. Emanuela Arreaga, CEO of Cosmesi LLC, shares on our Breaking Barriers podcast how crucial her husband and dad's unwavering support has been. If you're chasing a dream, yo…
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02 | Steve Poliseo | How to Maintain High Performance in Accounting
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51:36What makes a trusted advisor in accounting truly exceptional? In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, Michael Fisher interviews Steve Poliseo, a partner at Citrin Cooperman and a highly regarded accountant in the New Jersey market. Steve shares his personal journey, from a blue-collar upbringing to becoming a trusted resource for business…
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01 | Joe Furey | How Legacies Thrive and Soar in Modern Business
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44:49Ever wondered what it takes to turn an iconic architectural firm into a global powerhouse? Imagine navigating the complexities of succession planning, acquisitions, and a rapidly evolving industry—all while preserving a legacy that spans over half a century. In this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, I sit down with Joe Furey, the President …
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