Boston's Best

Did you know that over 90% of rum has added flavors, sweeteners, and spices? While most rum companies tend to shy away from quality ingredients to produce more, this week's guest is completely changing the game for the rum industry by getting back to its roots.

This week, I am joined by Andrew Cabot, Founder and CEO of Privateer Rum. Founded in 2010, Privateer Rum is a distillery located in Ipswich, MA, and prides itself as a True American Rum company. Establishing a new standard of rum, Privateer Rum disregards commonly accepted practices of larger rum producers, including adding sweeteners, flavors, filters, and spices, and instead focuses on honesty and purity, the True American way.

During our conversation, Andrew shares the importance of sourcing the best ingredients and why quality matters when serving customers. Andrew also talks in-depth about why transparency is essential to business.

When I asked about Andrew's biggest piece of advice, "Take the teacher, not the course," he stated that at the end of the day, you get more out of the teacher than a book someone else wrote.

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About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Are you a small business owner looking to invest in brand photos for your latest product launch? Are you an influencer looking to build your next course and need new headshots? Or are you recently engaged and looking to book your wedding videographer? Then this episode is for you.

This week, I am joined by Sol Arnal, Owner of Sol Arnal Photo & Video, located in Wrentham, MA. Sol Arnal Photography offers an array of Commercial Photo + Video packages for businesses, including Interior Design, Architectural, Brand, Product, and Social Media Content. They also offer Personal Photo + Video, including Family, Maternity, Newborn, Wedding, and Events.

During our conversation, Sol shares her passion for helping corporate businesses promote their products for eCommerce and her love for assisting clients in capturing their most significant milestones.

Be sure to listen in as Mark and Sol discuss what it's like navigating through different levels of success and why it's okay to change direction in our industry. And don't forget! You can get 20% off your first package through Sol Arnal Photo & Video simply by mentioning Boston's Best. Now that's a deal you won't want to miss!

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About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. 

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

This week, I am joined by Rob Garvey, Owner of Heritage Smart Technologies, located in Norfolk, MA. Heritage Smart Technologies provides affordable tech solutions for your home or business, creating a more accessible, more enjoyable living space. Specializing in home automation, lighting, home theater, audio, and surveillance, Heritage Smart Technologies can create the oasis you've always dreamed of in the comfort of your own home or office.

During our conversation, Rob shares how he fell in love with audiovisual technologies at an early age and how he was always drawn to technology solutions to make his music sound better and his life more enjoyable during high school. Now, years later, Rob shares this passion with others by providing his clients with the latest technology trends. We also discuss the importance of giving back to your local community and why you can't put a dollar amount behind success.

Topics Discussed:

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Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Are you on the hunt for that perfect conversation piece for your next dinner party with friends? Need to add a pop of color to your office space to spruce up your zoom calls? Or are you looking for a one-of-a-kind, handwoven basket for your newly installed guest bedroom? Then you'll love this week's guest of Boston's Best!

This week, I am joined by Melissa McCray, Owner of Two Webster. Two Webster is a home and decorative accessories shop located in Osterville, MA, specializing in unique and custom-made home goods from around the world. Featured pieces include ceramic pitchers from Greece, chain stitch pillows from Kashmir, and birchwood veneer trays from Sweden.

During our conversation, Melissa shares how Two Webster got started with the help of her friend, Kiki, and the "why" behind finding creative and innovative home goods. We also discuss how the global pandemic shifted the business and what Melissa dreams of for the future of Two Webster.

Topics Discussed:

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Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

While stretching is something that most of us know we should implement,  very few follow through. Many of us often skip stretching after an intense workout, but stretching is key to restoring our tired muscles.

This week, I am joined by Charles Arakelian and Shannon Lundy. Charles is the Owner of Stretch Zone in Wayland, MA, where Shannon is also the General Manager. Charles is also the Owner of Chucks Buckets, a line of hats repped by major sports players. Stretch Zone offers practitioner-assisted stretching utilizing patented equipment to position and stabilizes muscles, allowing long-lasting results.

During our conversation, Charles and Shannon share the many benefits of stretching, such as increased blood flow and muscle recovery, as well as improving sleep. We also discuss the major differences in stretching on your own versus coming in and having the stretching done for you.

Topics Discussed:

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About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts. Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Did you know that over 250,000 tons of textile waste are produced each year in Massachusetts alone? That’s 10x the weight of The Statue of Liberty! While this number is outrageously high, my guest this week is on a mission to change the trajectory of repurposing textiles.

I am joined by Mary Dimouro, Founder and Creator of On The Road Again Bags, LLC®. As a child, Mary learned how to sew from her mother, a well-known seamstress, and she always helped her with projects growing up. Now, On The Road Again Bags, founded in 2018, focuses on repurposing old materials and leftover scraps from the boating and trucking industry. Mary uses "deadstock," materials such as durable mesh, water-resistant fabric, and grommets, sitting in warehouses waiting to go to landfills to reuse and repurpose rather than using new materials.

During our conversation, Mary shares the importance of managing a healthy work-life balance and why practicing good time management is a vital skill set for any business owner. We also discuss the importance of practicing self-care and finding time to be in the present moment to avoid potential burnout.

Topics Discussed:

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Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Do you have the next major tech startup? Or looking to launch your million-dollar idea? Then you'll love this week's featured guest!

I am joined by Peter Drakulich, Co-Founder of 52Launch, alongside his business partner and President of 52Launch, Daniel C. Gonyea. 52Launch provides startups, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs a cost-effective and successful path to market by launching a new product. Their A-Z process takes the entrepreneur from napkin to reality by reducing the time to get to revenue, scaling the idea for volume, and accelerating growth.

During our conversation, Peter and Dan share how they started 52Launch, what makes a good entrepreneur, and why the first initial idea is hardly the final outcome when launching a new product or business. Peter and Dan also talk in-depth about their favorite entrepreneurs and startups to work with and why networking and connecting with other like-minded business owners create the best synergy to bringing an idea to fruition.

Topics Discussed:

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Additional Resources:

Contact 52Launch:

Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

For those who are a part of the “Zero Waste Movement” or those who simply want to take better care of our planet, we’ve often been told to “reduce, reuse, recycle.” There are recycle cans and drop-offs next to trash disposals in highly-trafficked places, such as restaurants and shopping centers. But how much of our waste actually gets recycled? While recycling old bottles and cans may temporarily relieve waste, it doesn’t necessarily stop the issue of mass-producing new ones. So what if there was a better way to reduce waste in our communities?

This week, I am joined by Petros Palandjian, Founder of Good Filling Company, a zero-waste, all-natural refill service for home-care and personal-care products. Good Filling Company brings convenience to the #ZeroWasteMovement by providing Bostonians with 100% all-natural, refillable products to make a positive impact. Fro

During our conversation, Petros shares the strategy behind bringing focus and attention to reducing and reusing home products rather than simply recycling bottles. According to Petros, only about 9% of recycled goods actually get recycled. By providing refillable, all-natural, eco-friendly, and convenient household products, such as soaps, cleaners, and detergents, Good Filling Company is working towards making waste reduction readily accessible to all.

Topics Discussed:

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Additional Resources:

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Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

Calling all Golfers, Baseball players, and sports junkies alike, if you like crushing stereotypes and having fun on the field, then you won’t want to miss this week’s episode of Boston’s Best!

I am joined by Steve Happas, CEO & Co-Owner of Swing Juice, a Fun Lifestyle Apparel Brand for Golf & Baseball Fanatics, and an officially licensed MLB Players and MLBPA Clubhouse brand. Swing Juice was initially created as a beverage company for the golf enthusiast and slowly transitioned in 2014 as an apparel brand to break the stereotypes behind golfers and represent what matters most: having fun.

During our conversation, Steve shares his serial entrepreneurial journey and what he learned from each business venture before starting Swing Juice. Steve also shares how he got involved with sports radio during college and his hustle mentality working at a baseball stadium selling concessions. We also discuss the importance of not being afraid of taking risks as an entrepreneur and why success can’t be measured in a single goal.

Topics Discussed:

Connect with Swing Juice:

Additional Resources:

Contact Swing Juice:

Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.

What happens when you combine growing your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers with a specialty-artisan charcuterie delivery service? Well, things get a little "Grazy."

This week, I am joined by Kelley Kevan, Founder of Grazy, a snack and gift box delivery service. From picking pears from her family's pear trees in New Hampshire as a child to now serving the local Boston community, Grazy was birthed in 2020 and thrived through Covid-19. With over 15-years of hospitality experience in Food and Beverage Services and as a Hotel Executive, Kelley has an entrepreneurial passion for making every box an uplifting experience for all that graze on it.

During our conversation, we talk in-depth about misconceptions behind boots-on-the-ground methods for networking and why building relationships with your customers is essential for building a successful business. We also discuss the work-life balance between hustling hard and taking care of your mental health and why sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.

Topics Discussed:

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Connect with Mark Condon:

About Boston’s Best:

“Highlighting successful businesses in and around Boston, MA.”

Go behind the scenes with financial planner Mark Condon as he asks industry-leading experts to talk about their businesses throughout the state of Massachusetts.

Through each episode, Mark finds what sets these different businesses apart from their competition and how they rose above the inevitable challenges they faced along the way to their ultimate success.