Ready to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a thriving business as a husband-and-wife team? This episode of Behind the Frame goes beyond the highlight reels to sit down with Cory and Stefanie Skidmore, co-owners of a Celebree School franchise, as they discuss the messy, yet rewarding, middle of scaling a business centered on family and community.

Jay Duffy and Annette Quigley talk with the Skidmores, who transitioned from careers in assisted living and ambulance transportation, to becoming entrepreneurs who are shaping the next generation through their core mantra: "protect and educate" . They share their journey, from their children attending the school to becoming first-time franchisees, and how they manage the delicate balance of partnership, parenting, and business growth .

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The Origin Story: How the Skidmores' personal experience as parents led them to become Celebree School franchisees .

• Dividing Roles as Spouses and Partners: How Corey and Stefanie initially managed an "all hands on deck" approach and are now establishing specific roles, emphasizing that in the startup phase, "there's no set duties".

• The Entrepreneurial Shift: What surprised them most about going from a W-2 job to entrepreneurship, and how they focus on defining their own future and building a family legacy.

• Recruiting and Culture: The Celebree School's competency-based approach to sourcing staff, including the "recruit hard staff" core, the "Employee Investment Cycle," and their focus on the Parent Child Teacher Experience (PCTE).

• The Work-Life Balance Myth: Their realistic view on balancing a growing business—including plans for a second location—with family, and why showing up for their kids' practices and games is their personal measure of work-life balance.

• Handling Disagreements as a Married Couple: How they use "radical transparency" and "openly debate" issues at work, and the importance of having a "short term memory" when things get heated.

• "Hot or Not": Industry Takes: Their opinions on parent apps for updates, themed spirit weeks (lukewarm!), and the use of Conscious Discipline instead of traditional "time out" to help children manage emotions.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner working with your spouse, or simply looking for inspiration in managing the demands of life and career, Corey and Stefanie share invaluable, candid advice that will resonate deeply.

Welcome to Behind the Frame, where we go beyond the LinkedIn bios and Instagram highlight reels to talk about what really happens when you’re building something from scratch.

In this episode, Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with their close friend, Joe Rector, Co-Founder of Pelican Property Management!

Joe and his co-founder, Jordy, took the leap to start Pelican in 2013 and have since grown from six units—Joe's very first client—to over 100,000 units today! Headquartered in Towson, Maryland, Pelican has leveraged technology, process innovation, and thoughtful leadership to elevate the resident experience and board performance across HOA, condo, and commercial property management.

In this candid conversation, we dive into:

• The Problem with Property Management: The "cat dog" relationship between communities and their property managers, and how Pelican breaks outside the black and white by focusing on collaboration and hospitality.
• The Yin and Yang of Partnership: How Joe (the people person, focused on culture and business development) and Jordy (the tech and software architect) leverage their different strengths to grow the business.
• Growing a Business & Lessons Learned: Joe shares the difficult leap of starting young with no "book" of clients and why you need to be “calloused enough” to handle the downside of the real estate world.
• Pandemic Pivot: How being an early adopter of tech like Zoom made their rapid digital transformation "seamless".
• "Plead the Fifth" Rapid Fire: Which Joe trusts least: a weatherman, an economist, or a board head who promises a short meeting? Plus, is strict HOA rule enforcement hot or not?

Joe also reveals his leadership philosophy, which includes hiring people "way smarter than me" and why, as a business owner, you have to find time to "put your mask on first".

Whether you're starting a business, navigating a partnership, or just curious about what's really behind the frame of a growing company, this episode is a must-watch!

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy, Morgan Watson, and Annette Quigley sit down with former NFL wide receiver Qadry Ismail — also known as “The Missile.” Qadry shares stories from his football career, what it taught him about teamwork and perseverance, and how he’s applied those lessons to life after the game.

The conversation explores resilience, leadership, and finding purpose beyond professional sports. Whether you’re a Ravens fan, a football enthusiast, or simply looking for inspiration on how to navigate life’s transitions, this episode delivers energy, wisdom, and practical takeaways from one of Baltimore’s most dynamic athletes.

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with Nick Waldner, real estate entrepreneur and team leader of the Waldner Winters Team, to talk about building a thriving business, leading with integrity, and creating lasting client relationships. Nick shares how he grew his real estate business, the challenges he faced along the way, and the mindset that has fueled his success.

From building strong teams to staying adaptable in a changing market, this conversation is full of practical lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders. Whether you’re in real estate or any other industry, Nick’s story is packed with insights on growth, leadership, and staying focused on what truly matters.

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sit down with Joe Conciatori, a successful Maryland restaurant owner, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a business that reflects your values. Joe shares his journey from the challenges of starting out to running a thriving restaurant, offering an inside look at the grit and determination it takes to succeed in a competitive industry.

You’ll hear about the lessons he’s learned in managing people, delivering a standout customer experience, and balancing business growth with personal priorities. Whether you’re in the food industry or running a business in any field, Joe’s story is packed with insight and practical advice for long-term success.

In this episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson talk with Eric Rittmeyer, a former U.S. Marine, mental toughness expert, and national speaker on emotional intelligence. Eric brings a no-nonsense perspective on what it takes to stay resilient—mentally, physically, and emotionally—in both business and life.

Together, they explore the connection between emotional discipline, leadership, and personal well-being. Eric shares practical advice for strengthening your mindset, managing stress, and showing up as your best self in high-pressure environments.

Key Takeaways:

• What mental toughness really means and how to build it
• How emotional intelligence impacts leadership and decision-making
• Daily habits that support lasting health and focus

This conversation is full of energy, clarity, and actionable insights for anyone seeking to level up their discipline, mindset, and overall performance.

In the premiere episode of Behind the Frame, hosts Jay Duffy and Morgan Watson sits down with Mariela C. D'Alessio, a dynamic leader and entrepreneur, to discuss what it really means to build a career—and a life—on your own terms. Mariela shares the pivotal choices, personal values, and professional experiences that shaped her path, offering honest insight into both the challenges and rewards of forging your own way.

From navigating career transitions to defining success beyond the traditional mold, this conversation is packed with real-world wisdom for anyone looking to align their work with their purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Why self-awareness is critical to long-term career fulfillment
• The importance of defining success for yourself
• How to lead with intention and build a life that reflects your values

Tune in for an inspiring start to the series, as we go behind the frame with one of Maryland’s most thoughtful and grounded voices in business and leadership.

Get ready to go Behind the Frame, a new podcast that brings you inside the minds of Maryland’s top business owners and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Jay Duffy, co-founder of Frame Wealth, this series dives into the real stories behind building a business: the bold moves, the missteps, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

Each episode features candid conversations with some of the most successful business leaders in the state, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to succeed. Whether you're a seasoned founder or just starting out, Behind the Frame delivers insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways from those who have been there.

Stay tuned. Your front-row seat to Maryland’s business community is coming soon.