Building Success Stories with Ann Donnelly

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guest: Melanie Fronhofer Weber -- Co-Owner, (g)row; Business & HR Manager, Common Roots Brewing Company; Board Chair, EDC Warren County

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"Childcare is Everyone's Business: Building a Stronger Adirondack Region"

Thursday, October 29, 2026, 11:15 AM to 1 PM

The Carriage House at Fort William Henry, Lake George, NY

Join a group of child care experts and regional business leaders to help shape solutions that support employers, strengthen communities, and build a stronger Adirondack Region. Your voice, experience, and connections matter.

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Episode Overview

What does it truly take to balance multi-entity entrepreneurship, civic leadership, and raising a young family in Upstate New York? In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down at the Common Roots Bierhall with Melanie Fronhofer Weber: Co-Owner, (g)row children’s store in Glens Falls; Business & HR Manager, Common Roots Brewing Company; and Board Chair, EDC Warren County.

Melanie shares her dynamic career evolution from corporate event planning to small business ownership, regional economic development, and community advocacy. Together, Ann and Melanie dive into the realities of regional collaboration across county lines, overcoming imposter syndrome, setting healthy business boundaries, and why childcare is one of the single most critical economic development issues facing the North Country workforce today.

Key Takeaways

• Economic Development Without Boundaries: Why small towns and neighboring counties (Warren, Washington, Saratoga) must abandon resource rivalry and embrace cross-regional collaboration to thrive.
• Childcare as an Economic Driver: Why solving the regional childcare desert is essential for retaining a skilled, sustainable workforce in Northern New York.
• The Power of Showing Up: How taking seats at leadership tables, even when you feel underqualified, fuels both personal growth and systemic community change.
• Multi-Hyphenate Business Management: Lessons on co-founding and scaling diverse ventures, from a craft brewery and cafe to a community-centric children’s retail store.
• Boundary Setting & Core Values: How trusting your gut, protecting family time, and aligning with passion projects prevents entrepreneurial burnout.

Memorable Quotes from Melanie Fronhofer Weber

"Economic development doesn't have a physical boundary. It's silly for these small towns in Upstate New York to be fighting over resources and not collaborating."

"Trust yourself. You don't need someone to tell you you're qualified for it. If you were invited, then you are."

"If you're already 100% qualified for a job, then what are you going to learn? Every role I take on, I want to better myself."

More Information

More about Melanie Fronhofer Weber & Her Ventures:

• Common Roots Brewing Company: https://commonrootsbrewing.com
• Grow Children's Store: https://www.growforkids.com/
• EDC Warren County: https://edcwc.org

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist: https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Stories podcast & articles: https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

More from the North Country Media Network:

Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market?

• Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox: https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Podcast Production & Distribution: Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise: https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Find more episodes and podcasts on the North Country Media Network: https://northcountry.media

Love the Show? Help Us Build More Success Stories!

If you found value in Melanie’s story and leadership insights, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review – your reviews help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episode with a fellow business owner, working parent, or community leader who needs inspiration today.
• Drop a comment: What background or unexpected experience from your past career has given you the biggest advantage in your current business?

Host & Strategic Guide: Ann Donnelly | Founder, North Country Media Network | Fractional COO & Business Growth Strategist

We are already halfway through October, and for many entrepreneurs and business leaders, the anxiety of unfinished annual goals is starting to set in. But before you rush to cram a year's worth of work into two months, take a step back. Between holiday shutdowns, staff vacations, and family commitments, Q4 is much shorter than it looks on paper. To finish 2026 strong and position your organization for its best year ever in 2027, you don't need to work longer hours—you need to conduct a strategic inventory audit.

In this solo episode, host and Fractional COO Ann Donnelly breaks down her practical, three-pillar framework for taking stock of your organization and life. Learn how dedicating just half a day to auditing your physical assets, support systems, and personal health will bring critical priorities to the surface, reveal low-hanging fruit, and eliminate end-of-year burnout.

• The Q4 Calendar Illusion: Why you actually have far less than two and a half months left in the year, and how to plan around upcoming holiday downtime.
• Pillar 1 — Business & Operational Assets: How to audit physical tools, staffing clarity, and financial health (including cash flow and tax readiness) without getting overwhelmed.
• Pillar 2 — The Support Network Audit: Why every leader needs a trusted "board of advisors," accountable peer groups, and the right mix of mentors or mentees who give honest feedback.
• Pillar 3 — Physical & Mental Health: The direct connection between personal vitality, leadership energy, and business success—plus actionable insights on "work-life flow."
• Prioritization over Overwhelm: How to spot low-hanging fruit, delegate operational bottlenecks, and focus purely on taking inventory now so you can execute strategically for 2027.
• Exclusive Resource: How to access Ann's comprehensive Q4 Inventory Checklist for a tailored, step-by-step audit of your specific organization.

"You've got two and a half months left to the year, but do you really have two and a half months? The end of the year becomes much shorter than you think it's going to be."

"You can't keep your head in the sand. This inventory is to bring all of the stuff up to the top so that you can see what's working and what's not working."

"The positive energy that you put out is magnetic. If you feel good, you're going to do a better job at everything that you do."

Free Checklist & Strategy Session:

• Download the Complete Q4 & 2027 Inventory Checklist: Get Your Free Checklist Here (https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com/q4-business-reset-2026/)
• Book a Discovery Call with Ann Donnelly: Ready to audit your business and build a clear strategic roadmap for Q4 and 2027? Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Ann (https://calendar.app.google/yBMojk7foy9SZ9Fh8)

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist: https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Storiespodcast & articles: https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

More from the North Country Media Network:

Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market?

• Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox: North Country Insider (https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/)
• Podcast Production & Distribution: Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise: Digital Legacy Packages (https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/)
• Find more episodes on the North Country Media Network:https://northcountry.media

If you found value in today’s strategic inventory breakdown, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review – your reviews help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episode with a fellow business owner, executive, or manager who needs a mid-autumn strategic reset.
• Drop a comment: Which of the three pillars — Business, Support Network, or Personal Health — needs the most attention in your organization right now?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guest: Jim LaFarr, Warren County Sheriff

In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr for an open, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, community-centered policing, and the modern realities of county law enforcement. From growing up in a West Glens Falls mobile home park to completing 35 years of dedicated public service, Sheriff LaFarr shares his inspiring personal journey from part-time summer detail in Lake George to leading a multi-faceted agency of 250 employees.

Discover what makes county law enforcement unique, how the shift toward mental health crisis response is changing daily operations, the stark realities of current law enforcement recruitment challenges, and why Sheriff LaFarr remains deeply optimistic about the future of Warren County.

• A 35-Year Hometown Journey:Grew up in West Glens Falls as the only child in his family to finish high school, starting his law enforcement career in 1991 in a summer program at Lake George before rising through the ranks to Sheriff.
• The Multi-Faceted Role of a County Sheriff:Unlike municipal police chiefs, a Sheriff leads an agency encompassing patrol services, criminal investigations, the county jail, emergency communications/dispatch, and civil processes – acting simultaneously as police chief, jail superintendent, emergency services director, budget officer, and HR manager.
• The Post-COVID Shift to Mental Health Response:Roughly half of all calls for service now involve a mental health nexus or crisis intervention, requiring officers to use advanced de-escalation skills and good old-fashioned diplomacy.
• Recruitment & Workforce Realities:The department faces alarming recruitment bottlenecks, highlighted by a recent physical agility test where none of the six applicants passed, and why candidates with customer service or hospitality backgrounds make exceptional officers.
• Officer Wellness & Peer Support:How implementing a fully confidential, peer-led support program post-traumatic incidents is building a healthier, stronger force capable of serving the public better.
• Economic Development & Growth:Insights on local traffic management, economic development along the Corinth Road corridor, and why managed regional growth in Warren County is essential for future prosperity.

"Having that trust and confidence in our family, our team here at the Sheriff’s Office – it’s fragile, but it’s essential."

"If your child makes a poor choice, you don't hate them... you may be a little upset, but it's just corrective measures. You hope to deter poor behavior and encourage positive behavior. It's that exact mindset."

"Customer service backgrounds are a home run for us. People who have worked in hospitality already know how to navigate challenging situations and deal with all walks of life."

More about Warren County Sheriff’s Office

• Warren County Sheriff's Office Websitehttps://warrencountyny.gov/sheriff

More from Ann Donnelly

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategisthttps://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Storiespodcast & articles https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

More from the North Country Media Network

Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market?

• Subscribe to The North Country Insider– the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Podcast Production & Distribution:Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Find more episodeson the North Country Media Networkhttps://northcountry.media

Love the Show? Help Us Build More Success Stories!

If you found value in Sheriff Jim LaFarr’s story and leadership insights, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/FollowonApple Podcasts,Spotify, orYouTubeso you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review– your reviews help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episodewith a friend, business owner, or public servant who would appreciate this insider look at county leadership.
• Drop a comment:How can local communities and law enforcement better partner together to support neighbors struggling with mental health?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guests: Karen Carey, Owner & Intuitive Life & Business Support Coach, Ruby Red Road

In this live-on-location episode from Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly speaks with Karen Carey, owner of Ruby Red Road. Drawing on 30 years in the customer service and beauty industries and 17 years of dedicated coaching experience, Karen breaks down how intuitive life and business coaching helps entrepreneurs, non-profits, and corporate teams break through frustration and operational chaos. Whether addressing team friction, leadership misalignment, or personal burnout, Karen shares how clearing blocks creates a direct path to sustainable success.

• Holistic Life & Business Alignment:Why personal growth and professional success are inextricably linked, and how addressing underlying personal blocks transforms business performance.
• Supporting Non-Profits & Lean Teams:How specialized coaching helps mission-driven organizations navigate high-chaos, low-resource environments to maximize community impact.
• Recognizing the Warning Signs:Key indicators that it’s time to seek external support—including persistent operational bottlenecks, repeated team friction, and feeling stuck in reactive patterns.
• Frictionless Onboarding:Karen’s unique "gifted session" model, allowing prospective clients to experience her coaching style without immediate sales pressure.
• Nationwide Virtual Reach:How Karen supports clients across the country—from Upstate New York to Washington and California—through seamless virtual sessions.

"Life is life and business is business, and we can use support in both. You don't have to just sit around and settle—you can upgrade it."

"If you keep asking yourself, 'How can this still be happening? Why aren't they getting along?'—that's your sign that it's time to clear the blocks."

More about Karen Carey & Ruby Red Road:

Ruby Red Road Website - https://rubyredroad.com

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist- https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Storiespodcast & articles -https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

More from the North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider– the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact?Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Listen to more episodes on the NCMN website:https://northcountry.media

If you found value in Karen’s insights, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/FollowonApple Podcasts,Spotify, orYouTubeso you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up)- your reviews and ratings help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episodewith a friend, team leader, or non-profit director who needs support clearing operational hurdles today.
• Drop a comment:What is the biggest recurring block or frustration you've had to overcome in your business journey?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guests: Brandon Crist, Financial Advisor & Max Benedetto, Financial Advisor Associate, Equitable Financial

In this live-on-location episode from Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Brandon Crist and Max Benedetto of Equitable Financial Advisors. Brandon shares insights from a decade of helping state employees, retirees, and local business owners navigate complex pensions, Social Security optimization, and tax-efficient distribution strategies. Max discusses his journey coming on board, passing his licensing exams, and elevating client management and customer service. Together, they break down why financial planning isn't just for the wealthy, how fee transparency works, and why having a trusted local advisor in Queensbury and the North Country makes all the difference.

• Maximizing State Pensions & Social Security:How tailored strategies help public sector employees and retirees make informed decisions about when and how to draw benefits.
• Tax-Efficient Wealth & Gifting Strategies:Smart approaches to managing IRAs, reducing tax exposure in retirement, and executing intergenerational gifting strategies.
• Business Succession & Family Planning:Navigating the unique financial and emotional challenges of passing a business down to the next generation.
• Demystifying Financial Advisor Fees:A transparent look at how asset-management-based compensation works—and why initial consultations are low-pressure and no-obligation.
• Building a Team for Long-Term Support:How Brandon and Max combine a decade of strategic experience with modernized customer support to deliver seamless client service.

"A lot of people think, 'I can't afford a financial advisor.' But the real question is: can you afford NOT to use one?"

— Ann Donnelly

"Everybody's got their own unique challenges when it comes to retirement and business succession, and we get to help them solve those puzzles every single day."

— Brandon Crist

More about Brandon Crist, Max Benedetto & Equitable Financial:

Equitable Financial Website

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist
• Building Success Storiespodcast & articles

More from the North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider– the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact?Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Listen to more episodes on the NCMN website:https://northcountry.media

If you found value in Brandon and Max's insights, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/FollowonApple Podcasts,Spotify, orYouTubeso you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up)- your reviews and ratings help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episodewith a friend, state employee, or business owner who is mapping out their financial future.
• Drop a comment:What's your biggest question when it comes to planning for retirement or optimizing Social Security?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guests: Nic Molik, Director of Partnerships, Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs)

In this live-on-location episode of Building Success Stories from Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Nic Molik, Director of Partnerships at Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs). Nic shares how ADKtechs' strategic move from Argyle to Route 9 in South Glens Falls has breathed fresh energy into their team, turbocharged recruiting across the Capital District and North Country, and drastically increased community visibility. Beyond physical location, Nic breaks down why IT shouldn't just be talked about when things go wrong, how local businesses can stay ahead of changing cybersecurity and AI trends, and why authentic community involvement is the heart of business growth.

• Strategic Real Estate for Talent & Reach: Moving right off Exit 17 at Moreau Commons increased visibility to 15,000 daily passing vehicles and expanded ADKtechs' recruitment radius from Saratoga to Clifton Park and beyond.
• Proactive vs. Reactive IT: Why businesses need a trusted, local IT partner to solve problems before disaster strikes—and why face-to-face accountability still matters in a digital world.
• Navigating the AI & Cyber Hype: Cutting through the noise of self-proclaimed "AI experts" to deliver practical, grounded tech solutions that protect local enterprises.
• Culture Drives Performance: Nic’s perspective on commuting over an hour daily because of company culture, team alignment, and shared values.
• Community-First Leadership: Why true regional business leaders must give back locally—from coaching fall ball to supporting neighborhood events and partnering with adjacent local businesses.

"IT is a sticky subject to talk about because usually, nobody wants to talk about IT unless something bad is happening. We like to talk about IT before things get bad so things don't get bad."

"We don't get anywhere without the people that share the place that we live. The more people that understand that and give back, it's just better for everybody."

More about Nic Molik & ADKtechs:

ADKtechs Website

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist
• Building Success Stories podcast & articles

More from the North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox. https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise. https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Listen to more episodes on the NCMN website: https://northcountry.media

If you found value in Nic’s journey, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up) - your reviews and ratings help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episode with a friend, business owner, or tech leader who needs to hear this today.
• Drop a comment: Has your business shifted to a proactive IT and cybersecurity strategy yet, or are you still relying on break-fix models?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guests: Alison Bohannon, Owner, Kingpin’s Alley Family Entertainment Center

In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly checks in live from Moreau Commons with Alison Bohannon, co-owner of Kingpin’s Alley Family Entertainment Center. Alison shares how she and her husband, Doug, have transformed a beloved local bowling alley into a multi-faceted entertainment destination in South Glens Falls. From introducing NFL Sunday Ticket in an upgraded, interactive sports lounge to offering private karaoke rooms and custom escape rooms, Kingpin’s Alley continues to innovate for families, corporate outings, and community fundraisers alike.

• Expanding Beyond the Lanes:How Kingpin’s Alley has diversified its footprint with private karaoke suites, 15-minute and 60-minute escape rooms, and outdoor pre-gaming spaces like cornhole.
• Elevating the Game-Day Vibe:The strategic addition of NFL Sunday Ticket and table-specific speakers in the upgraded lounge, allowing fans to hear their specific game and celebrate scores in a high-energy environment.
• Community-First Hospitality:The vital role Kingpin’s Alley plays in local philanthropy, including hosting Big Brothers Big Sisters’ annualBowl for Kids’ Sakefundraiser and events with the Adirondack Thunder.
• Turnkey Event Hosting:How local businesses and families can leverage the center’s facilities for hassle-free corporate parties, kids' birthdays, and community fundraisers.

More about Alison Kingpin’s Alley:

• Kingpin's Alley Family Entertainment Center Website

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist
• Building Success Storiespodcast & articles

More from the North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider– the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/north-country-insider/
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact?Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.https://northcountrymedianetwork.com/digital-legacy/
• Listen to more episodes on the NCMN website:https://northcountry.media

If you found value in Alison’s journey, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/FollowonApple Podcasts,Spotify, orYouTubeso you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up)- your reviews and ratings help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episodewith a friend, event planner, or local business owner who needs to hear this today.
• Drop a comment:What’s your favorite non-bowling amenity at Kingpin’s Alley – the escape rooms, karaoke lounge, or NFL Sunday Ticket?

Guest Host: Janice Durant, New Trails Business Consultants, Inc. & Chief Franchise Matchmaker

Guest: Ann Donnelly, Founder, North Country Media Network & Business Growth Strategist

Episode Overview

What happens when you have the best product in town, but nobody knows you exist? In this role-reversal episode of Building Success Stories, regular host Ann Donnelly hands the mic to guest host Janice Durant, Chief Franchise Matchmaker at New Trails Business Consultants. Together, they dissect the foundational pillars of business survival: branding, budgeting, and the raw truth that passion alone does not equal sales. From the specific percentages you should be spending on marketing at every stage of your business, to the hidden advantages of the franchise model, this episode is a strategic masterclass on converting anonymity into authority.

Key Takeaways

• Budget for Growth, Not Just Survival: Startups should allocate 15-20% of their overall budget to branding and marketing in the first six months, tapering to 7-10% during growth phases, and settling at 5-7% for established maintenance.
• Consistency is the Compound Interest of Marketing: Sporadic posting kills trust. Whether it is a weekly email or a monthly podcast, a consistent, value-driven rhythm keeps you top-of-mind when a prospect is finally ready to buy.
• Franchise vs. Independent Scaling: A major advantage of the franchise model is pre-built marketing infrastructure and proven ideal-client demographics, saving new owners the heavy lift of brand creation and market testing.
• Interns Are Not a Marketing Strategy: While interns provide great value, your core marketing strategy—which drives your revenue—requires professional expertise. Protect your brand's voice and stop distracting visitors with cluttered messaging.
• Leverage AI for Brutal Honesty: Instead of letting AI validate bad ideas, prompt it to act as your CFO or "Devil's Advocate" to find the blind spots in your business plan and demographic targeting.

Memorable Quotes

"Anonymity is the enemy of growth... It probably had amazing food, amazing drinks, great atmosphere, but if people don't know about you, that's just a waste."

- Ann Donnelly

"Until you make a sale, you don't have a business."

-Janice Durant

"Passion can be blinding... You need to have the people around you that tell you the real truth."

- Ann Donnelly

More Information

More about Janice Durant:

• New Trails Business Consultants Inc. https://newtrailsbusiness.com/
• Connect with Janice on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicedurant/

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Stories podcast & articles https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

More from the North Country Media Network:

Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market?

• Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.

Find out more about NCMN: https://northcountry.media

Love the Show? Help Us Build More Success Stories!

If you found value in Ann and Janice's insights on business growth, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review - your reviews help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episode with a fellow business owner who needs to dial in their marketing strategy today.
• Drop a comment: What is the biggest marketing challenge you are currently facing in your business?

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guest: Kevin Porpora, VP, Residential Mortgage Originator, Arrow Bank

What is the true value of face-to-face banking in a digital world? In this episode of Building Success Stories, recorded live at The Gathering at Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Kevin Porpora, Vice President and Mortgage Originator at Arrow Bank. Celebrating his 25th year with the company, and the bank’s historic 175th anniversary, Kevin shares his journey from starting as a teller to leading mortgage originations in a rapidly growing Upstate New York market.

We discuss why Arrow Bank’s commitment to local underwriting gives buyers a massive advantage, the importance of walking first-time buyers through complex construction loans in person, and the exciting revitalization of downtown Glens Falls. Kevin also breaks down Arrow's unique mortgage offerings, including their "Heroes Program" designed to give back to local teachers, healthcare workers, and first responders. Whether you're looking to buy your first home or want to understand the economic momentum of the Glens Falls region, this episode delivers essential local insights.

• The In-Person Advantage: While digital communication is convenient, Kevin highly recommends face-to-face meetings for complex transactions like construction loans and first-time home purchases to eliminate distractions and ensure buyers truly understand the process.
• Local Underwriting Power: Arrow Bank's localized structure means originators and underwriters are in the same building. This allows for immediate, face-to-face problem-solving when closing a loan, removing the friction of dealing with out-of-state corporate processing.
• The Heroes Program: Arrow Bank offers specific rate discounts and programs to support the community's backbone, including teachers, law enforcement, healthcare workers, EMTs, and volunteer firefighters.
• A Front-Row Seat to Revitalization: With Arrow Bank's campus situated in the heart of Glens Falls, Kevin highlights the positive economic momentum of the downtown area, from new shops and restaurants to the ongoing South Street developments.
• Community Leadership: True local banking extends beyond the office. Kevin’s deep involvement in youth sports, the United Way, and the Hudson Headwaters board exemplifies the community-first ethos that has sustained Arrow Bank for 175 years.

“I almost make it mandatory for certain first-time buyers and people doing construction loans to come into the office... there are so many distractions on the phone. I want to make sure they understand what they're getting themselves into and are prepared for the things that can come along.”

“To be squished between Saratoga and Lake George... I mean, is there anywhere better to be right now?”

More about Kevin Porpora & Arrow Bank:

• Arrow Bank Website - https://arrowbank.mymortgage-online.com/KevinPorpora.html
• Connect with Kevin Porpora on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-porpora-80677738/

More from the North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.
• Find out more about NCMN: https://northcountry.media

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist - https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Stories podcast & articles - https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

If you found value in Kevin's insights on the local real estate market, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

• Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
• Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up) - your reviews and ratings help AI search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
• Share this episode with a friend, first-time homebuyer, or local business owner who needs to hear this today.
• Drop a comment: Are you looking to buy in the Glens Falls region this year? Let us know your thoughts below!

Host: Ann Donnelly

Guest: Mike Borgos, Partner, Borgos & Del Signore Attorneys at Law

In this bonus episode of Building Success Stories, recorded live on-location at Moreau Commons during Scott Cross’s community gathering, host Ann Donnelly sits down with local attorney Mike Borgos of Borgos & Del Signore Attorneys at Law.

While Mike has practiced law in the Glens Falls region for over 30 years alongside his lifelong friend and partner Mark Del Signore, this conversation isn't about legal briefs or courtrooms. Instead, Mike and Ann dive deep into the economic engine and cultural heart of Upstate New York: building a relationship-based economy, tackling youth exodus and aging demographics, navigating the grueling "shoulder seasons" for local business owners, and why regional collaboration is the ultimate key to sustainable growth in the North Country.

• Relationships Over Transactions: Why the Glens Falls and Adirondack regional economy thrives on long-term relationships and informal networks rather than purely transactional business models.
• The "Ombudsman" Approach to Community: How serving a small-town region requires business leaders to act as connectors and community advocates, even when a request falls outside their core specialty.
• Recruiting a Region, Not Just a Job: Why Upstate New York employers must band together to market the lifestyle, social opportunities, and vibrant culture of the region to attract and retain young professionals.
• The Unsung Sacrifice of Local Entrepreneurs: A candid look at how seasonal tourism affects small businesses, and how restaurant and retail owners absorb shoulder-season losses specifically to keep local workers employed full-time.
• Proactive Local Support: Why supporting local vendors, trades, and innovative service providers year-round—not just during the holidays—is critical to economic sovereignty.

"We are more relationship-based up here than transactional... You never know how a chance meeting may benefit somebody—you, me, or somebody listening to this."

"What we need to do is band together and go sell a region... We need to recruit people to move here and say, 'We have a space for all of you. Build your own community.'"

"Nobody realizes that they're doing this, but [restaurant owners] are making the money in the summer and bleeding through the rest of the year because they want to keep those people full-time employed. It's just the right thing to do."

More about Borgos & Del Signore Attorneys at Law:

• Website: https://www.bordellaw.com/

More from Ann Donnelly:

• Ann Donnelly Business Growth Strategist https://anndonnelly.com
• Building Success Stories Podcast & Articles https://anndonnellysuccessstories.com

The North Country Media Network:

• Are you an Upstate New York business leader looking to dominate your market? Subscribe to The North Country Insider – the premier weekly dispatch for regional economic insights and strategic authority-building assets delivered straight to your inbox.
• Want your business’s legacy captured with broadcast-quality impact? Don’t let your story get lost in the noise.

Find out more about NCMN: https://northcountry.media

If you found value in Mike’s insights on regional growth and community collaboration, please take a moment to help our podcast grow:

1. Subscribe/Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube so you never miss an episode.
2. Leave a 5-Star Review (or a Thumbs Up) – your reviews and ratings help search engines and podcast platforms recommend us to other growth-minded entrepreneurs!
3. Share this episode with a business owner, community leader, or neighbor who cares about the future of Upstate New York.
4. Drop a comment: What is one local business in our region that you actively support during the off-season?