Profiles in the American Dream

From his humble beginnings in local theatre productions to a stint at MTV and then to Broadway, John McDonald has always kept his roots in Quincy. His career in the performing arts have covered just about everything one could imagine. But it all comes back to first creation, as a teenager who dreamed big, JM Productions. Listen to the story of his roller-coaster life in the fast-lane, the slow-lane and sometimes the breakdown-lane.

Mindi Sokoloski knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a photographer. What she didn’t know then was that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as they are commonly known, would be her ticket to a whole new and exciting world of photography. Hear Mindi tell us how her business, MS Aerial, literally “took off!”

George Brewster took the family vehicle for a ride at age 14. The family vehicle was an ambulance! George has lived an extraordinary life as the “main man” at Brewster Ambulance, working with his mother to save the company after the death of his father. Listen to him tell me about the ups and downs of building, selling and then rebuilding the business with his sons. And hear him dish on some of his famous “passengers”!

Who in their right mind would challenge Dunkin Donuts on their home turf in Quincy? Jenn Ormond and her team at Coffee Break Cafe, that’s who! Listen to how and why she decided to do battle with the large coffee chains and why she believes Coffee Break brews a better “cup of joe.”

Sometimes taking a risk and starting your own business will make your mother cry. But if you believe in yourself and you’ve found the path, like Akash Savdharia, you go for it! Listen to how Akash and his team founded Patheer, a better way to job search.

How cool would it be to be in the pig roasting business (unless of course you are the pig!)? Thats how David Jensen got his entrepreneurial start, creating DMC Barbecue while in college. David’s business sense has taken him far and now he serves as the COO of Lighthouse Media Solutions. Listen to his inspiring story.

When he was working in the newspaper business he described it like “being a dinosaur and seeing the meteor about to hit the earth! Instead of becoming extinct, Jonathan Shubow reinvented himself as a “Google guru and SEO savant.” Listen to Jon’s moving life story and his professional transformation at SERPCOM.

Ever wanted to serve on a corporate board or understand how they operate? Mark Rogers turned his fascination with that world into a successful business. Listen to Mark tell how he stumbled, failed and finally succeeded in turning Board Prospects, into the “LinkedIn” of the corporate board world.

She came to America from Vietnam when she was eight years old—arriving on Halloween night! But that wasn’t enough to scare Mai Du. The dream began by teaching young students Kung Fu & Tai Chi in her driveway, eventually leading to her opening two studios. Listen to Sifu Mai discuss how she keeps her culture alive and helps others achieve healthy lifestyles.

If you think that radio is a dying medium think again! Not all advertising needs to be on Google and Facebook says media and marketing man Mark Forrester, of Marcus Myles Media. Listen as Mark tells us the secrets of the trade. Presented by The Quincy Chamber of Commerce.