In this episode we sit down with Sal Longo, self-made entrepreneur, founder of Northern Safety, CEO of Zing Green Safety Products and the driving force behind several of the Mohawk Valley’s most talked-about hospitality destinations. From starting out selling safety products out of the back of his car to building a global company over nearly four decades. Sal shares the lessons he learned along the way about leadership, grit and surrounding yourself with the right people. His story is a reminder that success rarely comes from talent alone, it comes from persistence, trust and a willingness to outwork the competition. 

We also dive into what happened after Sal sold Northern Safety and realized retirement wasn’t exactly his style. That realization sparked a new chapter filled with ventures across the region. From launching Zing Green Safety Products, a company focused on sustainable safety gear, to developing beloved local hospitality spots like Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito's, Kuyahoora Resort & Stonebridge. Sal talks about the challenges of entering the restaurant world, rebuilding Valley View, and why creating experiences for the community has become such an important part of his work.

At its core, this conversation is about building things that last. Whether that’s a business, a team or a community. Sal shares what leadership means to him today, why he believes trust and hard work still win in the long run and why he’s proud to keep investing in the Mohawk Valley.

In this episode, we talk about:
• How Sal built Northern Safety from his trunk to a global company
• Why leadership, trust and team culture are the keys to scaling a business
• Launching Zing Green Safety Products and focusing on sustainable manufacturing
• The story behind Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito’s, Stonebridge and investing in local hospitality
• Why Sal believes Utica is on the rise

If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, reinvention and local pride, this episode is packed with perspective from someone who’s spent a lifetime building things right here in the 315.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(1:40) - Scaling Northern Safety & Hands on CEO
(4:00) - Surround Yourself with People You Like
(5:10) - Becoming a Better Leader
(7:25) - Sharing the Power & Trust
(8:30) - Retiring For 10 Months
(9:30) - Never Going Into Hospitality...
(10:30) - Finding & Growing ZING Green Safety Products
(14:45) - Sustainable Safety Products
(17:30) - Continuing to Get Better & Legacy
(20:45) - Getting Into the Hospitality Space
(23:35) - Biggest Surprise in the Restaurant Business
(26:10) - Transforming Valley View
(29:00) - Variety of Menu Options
(33:00) - Stonebridge Golf & Country Club
(34:15) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Sal Longo's Links:
Zing - https://www.zinggreenproducts.com
Roman's - https://romansvalleyview.com
Rocky's - https://rockysonthelake.com
Tito's Tavern - https://titosvalleyview.com
Kuyahoora Resort - https://www.kuyahooraresort.com
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club - https://stonebridgegolfandbanquet.com

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