In this deep and engaging conversation, Maggie sits down with Elle Musialowski, CFO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to talk about the real Pain Points that arise along a high-powered finance and accounting career — and how to move through them with intention, reflection, and authenticity. 

From early beginnings in public accounting to traveling the globe with Praxair/Linde, Elle shares her journey through corporate growth, imposter syndrome, burnout, boundary-setting, and ultimately rediscovering purpose in mission-driven nonprofit work. 

Topics covered include: 

• Finding your career path through internships and networking 
• Navigating Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance and global mergers 
• Identifying the moment when your Pain Points signal a needed change 
• Transitioning from Public Accounting to private sector to nonprofit sectors 
• Setting healthy workplace boundaries (hello, Desk Day Fridays!) 
• Aligning your career with your Life Vision 
• The unique financial and philanthropic operations of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo 

This episode is for every professional who's ever questioned their trajectory, battled burnout, or tried to balance passion and practicality. Don’t miss Elle’s wisdom about becoming your best advocate, recognizing the signs of change, and embracing your own unique “green zone”!

Connect with Elle: 

Learn more about the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo 

Follow Ellen Musialowski on LinkedIn 

In this episode, Maggie sits down with Melissa Moore, Horticulture Program Co-Coordinator and Cannabis Instructor at SUNY Niagara, to explore the Pain Points of transitioning from the legacy cannabis market to the legal landscape — and what it means for cultivators, educators, and aspiring professionals in the space. 

From Monkeys to Marijuana – Melissa takes us on her unique career path from biological research in Panama to farming in Northern California, where her hands-on work with organic crops and cannabis ignited a passion that brought her back to New York to educate the next generation. 

The Legalization Learning Curve – Discover the real-life struggles of cannabis farmers navigating the harsh realities of compliance, taxation, and limited financial resources in the post-legalization world. 

Building a Cannabis Curriculum – Learn how SUNY Niagara’s cannabis program is providing hands-on experience in cultivation, processing, and culinary applications, setting students up for success in this growing industry. 

Key Pain Points Discussed: 

• The emotional and financial toll of legalization on legacy growers 
• The differences between California and New York cannabis regulations 
• Why small cannabis businesses face steeper barriers than other startups 
• How educational institutions are stepping in to bridge the gap 

Whether you're in cannabis, education, agriculture, orpolicy, this episode is packed with personal insight, professional growth, and thought-provoking conversation around the real Pain Points of the cannabis industry. 

🎓 Learn More About SUNY Niagara’s Cannabis Program: https://niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/cannabis/ 

In this episode, we sit down with Janna Willoughby-Lohr, the creative mastermind behind Papercraft Miracles, an eco-friendly, handmade paper art company that brings magic and joy to people's lives through unique creations. 

Janna takes us on a journey from her unexpected start in the art world, beginning with navigating her college major, to discovering her passion for paper art, and finally building a thriving art business in Buffalo, NY. 

We discuss: 

• The challenges of becoming an artist and the journey of self-discovery 
• The pain points of starting and managing a sustainable art business 
• The importance of community connection and social work in art 
• How Papercraft Miracles differentiates itself by creating unique, handmade paper art 
• The behind-the-scenes reality of running a business and balancing work-life demands 
• Tips for aspiring artists on turning their passion into a sustainable business 

Want to bring some magic into your life?

Explore Papercraft Miracles for custom handmade paper art, unique gifts, and more! 

Find Janna and Papercraft Miracles: 

Visit the Studio: 1888 Niagara St. Buffalo, NY 14207 

Website & Custom Orders: papercraftmiracles.com 

Follow on Instagram: @papercraftmiracles 

Book a Custom Art Piece: papercraftmiracles.com/custom-orders 

Subscribe & Follow Pain Points Podcast for more expert insights into entrepreneurship, business challenges, and industry deep dives! 

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Winkler, a certified Level 2 Sommelier and owner of Winkler & Samuels, a boutique wine and spirits shop offering curated wine classes, a premium wine storage facility, and a passion-driven approach to wine education.  

Melissa takes us on a journey from her unexpected start in the wine industry—beginning as a nanny, to discovering her passion at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and finally building a thriving wine business in Buffalo, NY.  

Episode Highlights:  

• The challenges of becoming a sommelier and the rigorous certification process  
• The pain points of starting and managing a niche winebusiness  
• The importance of terroir, how to truly taste wine, and why there’s no wrong way to enjoy it  
• How Winkler & Samuels differentiates itself by curating unique, small-batch wines  
• The behind-the-scenes reality of running a business with a spouse and balancing work-life demands 
• Tips for choosing better quality wines, avoiding headaches, and understanding the difference between Champagne & Prosecco  

Want to take your wine knowledge to the next level?  

Join Winkler & Samuels’ Wine Club for hand-selected bottles, expert pairing recommendations, and a one-of-a-kind experience delivered to your door!  

Find Melissa and Winkler & Samuels:  

Visit the Store:  500 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY  

Website & Wine Club Info: https://winklerandsamuels.com/  

Follow on Instagram:

 https://www.instagram.com/winklerandsamuelswine/  

Book a Wine Class: 

https://winklerandsamuels.com/collections/wine-class  

Visit StaffBuffalo Website: https://staffbuffalo.com/  

 Subscribe & Follow Pain Points Podcast for more expert insights into entrepreneurship, business challenges, and industry deep dives! 

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Larry Mietus ('Leadership Larry') — author, business consultant, and founder of Speaking of Strategy. Larry has spent decades helping businesses obliterate excuses, build strong cultures, and lead with strategy. 

Pain Points We Tackle in This Episode: 

• Why businesses get stuck – and how to break free 
• The #1 excuse that kills growth (and how to overcome it) 
• Culture vs. Strategy – which one really matters more? 
• The truth about employee engagement and workplace morale 
• How to be a better leader and make real business impact 

Guest Information:

Check out Larry’s book: We Tried That Once: https://a.co/d/ckbfQ22 

Follow Larry Mietus:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrymietusspeakingofstrategy/

Website: https://speakingofstrategy.com/

🎧 Hit LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into real business struggles and solutions! 

Welcome back to the Pain Points Podcast, where we dig into the real struggles and solutions behind running a business. In this episode, Lauren Lewis of StaffBuffalo sits down with fellow woman-owned business leader Danielle Bickel, founder of Strokes Painting & Contracting. Danielle shares her journey launching Strokes during the height of the pandemic—from working around the kitchen table to managing 14 crews and opening a dedicated shop. With a commitment to integrity, transparency, and culture, Danielle is redefining what it means to lead in the trades.

Welcome back to the Pain Points Podcast, powered by StaffBuffalo! In this transparent and compelling episode, host Maggie Shea visits East Leaf Dispensary, a woman- and family-owned, New York State licensed adult-use cannabis retailer in Cheektowaga, NY. Maggie sits down with co-owner, Gina Miller, and team member, Taylor Smith, to dive deep into the real Pain Points of navigating a brand-new cannabis industry from scratch. From starting out in a liquor store to opening one of Buffalo’s first fully legal dispensaries, Gina and Taylor share the ups and downs of launching a cannabis business — all while combatting stigma, building customer trust, educating first-time buyers, and managing shifting state regulations.

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, host Lauren Lewis sits down with Tom Akers — founder of Renew Bath and Body and Junk Free Skin — for a raw and insightful discussion on the real Pain Points behind sustainability, innovation, and scaling a purpose-driven business. 

After leaving the fast-food world (yes, he once owned multiple Taco Bell and KFC locations), Tom found himself at a crossroads. With a passion for clean skincare and a desire to do something meaningful, he opened Renew Bath and Body in Buffalo, NY. What started as a storefront soon evolved into a full-blown manufacturing operation creating water-soluble, zero-waste personal care pods designed to eliminate plastic waste. 

Welcome to the Pain Points Podcast — the place where we expose the hard truths that most companies overlook. In this episode, Lauren Lewis and Maggie Shea dive deep with Dustin Snyder, founder of Wayforward, to uncover the most common Pain Points that keep companies stuck in cycles of disengagement, turnover, and missed opportunities. 

Dustin shares his journey from labor relations to consulting and reveals the game-changing strategies he uses to help companies identify and resolve the root causes of their biggest Pain Points. You’ll learn how to spot warning signs before they spiral out of control, build a culture where employees thrive, and leverage feedback as a powerful tool for growth. 

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Pain Point Podcast brought to you by StaffBuffalo! 

In this deep and engaging conversation, Maggie sits down with Ellen (Elle) Musialowski, CFO of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to talk about the real Pain Points that arise along a high-powered finance and accounting career — and how to move through them with intention, reflection, and authenticity. 

From early beginnings in public accounting to traveling the globe with Praxair/Linde, Elle shares her journey through corporate growth, imposter syndrome, burnout, boundary-setting, and ultimately rediscovering purpose in mission-driven nonprofit work.