Huckaleros

In this episode, Mike Brennan sits down with Matt Foley of Nextcorps.  Matt shares his entrepreneurial journey from market research to building SaaS products, highlighting lessons learned, the importance of customer discovery, and adapting to AI advancements. His story is relatable for anyone contemplating the leap into entrepreneurship. Matt reveals how a pivotal college experience ignited his passion for business, driven by a desire for creativity and control over his own destiny.

We dive deep into key topics such as the importance of customer interviews in product development, the challenges of scaling a business, and the impact of emerging technologies on market research. Matt shares the strategies that helped him launch his own startup, revealing both triumphs and setbacks along the way.

"Building trust is the foundation of community."

In this episode, Zuheily Acevedo shares her entrepreneurial journey from managing limousine and tattoo businesses to creating Z Links, a platform that connects newcomers with local resources. She discusses the challenges of moving between Puerto Rico and Rochester, building community, and the vision behind her innovative relocation platform. Check it out now at Z-Links.net.

On this episode of Huckaleros Mike Brennan sits down with entrepreneur Shawn Goburn, the driving force behind SRG Management Firm and Alive and Well. Shawn shares his transformative journey from the vibrant streets of the Bronx to the entrepreneurial landscape of Rochester. You'll hear how his early passion for hip-hop and the music industry laid the foundation for his business acumen and branding insights.

What makes a brand truly stand out in a crowded market? In this episode of Huckaleros, host Mike Brennan sits down with Charlie Dumo, founder of Dumo Digital, to explore the art of personal branding and marketing in today’s digital landscape.

Charlie shares his journey from a childhood immersed in consumer packaged goods to launching his wildly successful brand of chocolate peanut butter balls, a product inspired by his grandmother’s recipe. Moving half a million units in the first six months and falling in love with ecommerce marketing along the way, leading to the formation of his digital agency for CPG Brands, Dumo Digital.

In this episode, Julio Ahumada shares his journey from local TV to digital marketing, exploring how AI is transforming search, content creation, and business strategies. We discuss the importance of adaptability, the evolving landscape of SEO, and practical tips for staying ahead in a rapidly changing digital world.

On this episode of Huckaleros, host Mike Brennan welcomes Bonnie Cywinski, a dynamic consultant and entrepreneur with a fascinating journey from retail to tech. Their conversation kicks off with an unexpected connection to the storied Sibley’s department store, where both share personal anecdotes that set the stage for deeper insights into the entrepreneurial spirit, working on AI PhD and much more.

Bonnie shares her unique path, revealing how her early experiences crocheting toys for friends sparked her entrepreneurial ambitions.

Bonnie's career evolved from a systems engineer to a successful consultant, navigating the tech landscape during the explosive growth of the 1990s. You’ll hear about the pivotal moments that shaped her approach to business, including the essence of being scrappy and seizing opportunities without waiting for permission.

Topics include:

- The balance of control and humility in startups

- Strategies for operationalizing a small business

- The importance of adaptability in a fast-changing tech environment

In this episode of Huckaleros, Kyla Brown joins host Mike Brennan to share her evolution from growing up in Rochester and studying digital retail to founding Knotch, a fashion and style AI platform. She dives into the ups and downs of building a startup, connecting her background in tech from Syracuse University to her work at Code Academy and her recent entrepreneurial moves, including her innovative Shopify app. Kyla discusses the importance of community, mentorship, and staying true to her vision, all while navigating challenges like fundraising and industry shifts. Plus, she reflects on her time in Trinidad, her deep love for fashion rooted in her family, and her goal to make style more accessible, personalized, and sustainable through technology. Key topics include how her diverse experiences in education, tech, and fashion intertwine, why embracing experimentation and feedback is essential, and the exciting future of AI in retail. Kyla also offers insights into the importance of trust, persistence, and building ecosystems that support authentic growth. Tune in for a story of resilience, innovation, and a visionary approach to transforming how we style ourselves and shop online.

PJ McMullen joins Huckaleros with Mike Brennan to talk about the path that led to building Planke, a fitness platform designed to better connect instructors and studios.

PJ shares how growing up in the Catskills, working in technology consulting, moving to New York City, and navigating major life changes during the pandemic all shaped where he is today. The idea for Planke came from seeing firsthand how difficult it could be for fitness instructors to find the right opportunities and for studios to find the right people.

We talk about how Planke evolved from those early conversations, what PJ learned moving from consulting into building a product, and why the traditional hiring process does not always work well in the fitness world. PJ also shares the experience of moving from New York City to Austin and eventually back to Rochester, where he is now continuing to grow the company.

In this episode, Mike Brennan welcomes Ebuka Mgbenka to share his journey from growing up in Nigeria, developing a passion for building and engineering, to transitioning into software development and entrepreneurial ventures. He discusses the story behind founding Money Pigeon, which is designed to make international transactions seamless, trustworthy, and local-like especially within emerging markets like Nigeria. Ebuka highlights his experience with tech giants like Google, his fascination with AI and machine learning, and his early career in enterprise software and IoT at Bosch.We dive into Ebuka's insights on the evolving AI landscape, its future potential, and the ethical considerations around automation and jobs. He emphasizes the importance of creating useful AI tools and the role of regulation in shaping its impact. Ebuka recounts his experience during Startup Grind’s global pitch event in San Francisco, and the strategic vision of making cross-border spending as effortless as local transactions.Finally, Ebuka offers a vivid vignette of his food adventures in Chicago, the cultural differences he navigated, and how his experiences abroad continue to influence his vision. His story exemplifies how personal pain points can inspire scalable solutions, driven by curiosity, resilience, and a strong desire to solve real-world problems.

Unlock the secrets behind cutting-edge AI-powered customer experiences in this eye-opening conversation with Jacob Millorino, Partnerships at Rich Panel. Whether you're an e-commerce pro, SaaS founder, or just AI-curious, discover how automation and intelligent insights are transforming how brands delight customers and boost revenue.In this episode, Jacob shares his journey from door-to-door life insurance sales in Cleveland—where trust was built in real conversations—to leading innovative AI integrations in the customer service space. You'll learn how Rich Panel's AI-native help desk is reducing mundane tasks by 70–80%, freeing up reps to focus on high-value interactions.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

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