What does it actually take to grow a business without getting caught up in everyone else's definition of success?

In Episode 15 of Standing on Business, Ben sits down with Holly Conti, Managing Partner of Full Swing Public Relations, to talk about entrepreneurship, intentional growth, public relations, marketing strategy, and the lessons that only come from building a business yourself.

Full Swing Public Relations works with service-based businesses across the country, with a strong presence in Central New York and Boise, Idaho. Holly joined the company after leaving a stable career and, alongside her business partner, helped triple revenue year over year before reaching seven figures in their third year.

Holly shares one of the biggest lessons from that journey: trust yourself and take intentional risks. Growth rarely feels comfortable while it's happening, and the challenges that come with building a company aren't necessarily signs that you're doing something wrong. Often, they're the next problems you need to learn how to solve.

The conversation also dives into a major question for modern businesses: are you investing in marketing because it actually serves your business, or simply because someone told you that you should?

Holly and Ben discuss the role of PR, social media, paid media, organic content, employees vs. contractors, managing overhead, measuring marketing results, and why there is no universal framework for growing a company.

They also explore the untapped potential in Central New York and why smaller, highly relevant audiences can often be far more valuable to a business than chasing massive follower counts.

In this episode:

• Building Full Swing Public Relations to seven figures
• Trusting yourself as an entrepreneur
• Why growth is supposed to feel uncomfortable
• Employees vs. contractors
• Growing without unnecessary overhead
• The real purpose of public relations
• PR vs. social media
• Why businesses waste money on the wrong marketing
• Choosing marketing channels based on strategy
• Why follower count isn't everything
• Building trust and authority with your audience
• The growing business and creative community in Central New York
• Building a business around what actually works for you

At the end of the day, Holly's philosophy is simple: forget blindly following "best practices." Understand your client, understand your data, know where you want to go, and build a strategy specifically around that.

🎙️ Standing on Business — conversations with the entrepreneurs, operators, and people building what's next.

How do you go from being born in a Cambodian concentration camp to becoming an entrepreneur, professor, author, and leader helping shape the future of an entire community?

In this episode of Standing on Business, we sit down with Dr. Emad Rahim, entrepreneur, educator, author, and Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Economic Development at Bellevue University. Dr. Rahim shares an extraordinary journey marked by unimaginable adversity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others.

From surviving the Cambodian genocide and growing up in poverty to earning multiple doctoral degrees, launching businesses, authoring books, and becoming a nationally recognized voice in entrepreneurship and leadership, Dr. Rahim's story is a testament to what's possible when purpose outweighs circumstance.

We also explore why Central New York is entering one of the most exciting periods in its history, how entrepreneurs can position themselves for the opportunities ahead, and why success isn't measured by titles or income—but by the impact you leave on others.

Whether you're a business owner, student, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone searching for purpose, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom on leadership, resilience, networking, and building a meaningful life.

• Surviving the Cambodian genocide and growing up in Brooklyn and Syracuse
• Turning adversity into purpose
• Entrepreneurship as a vehicle for change
• Why opportunity favors those who take action
• Building meaningful relationships instead of transactional ones
• Networking the right way
• The SALT Framework: Survival, Adapting, Love, and Transformation
• Writing Resilience: From the Killing Fields to the Boardroom
• Why Central New York is positioned for incredible growth
• The Inspire Innovation Hub and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs
• Creating impact that lasts beyond business success

If there's one message throughout this episode, it's this: don't wait for opportunity to find you—be willing to step forward, create value, and help build something bigger than yourself.

🎙️ Standing on Business features conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful, people-first businesses throughout Central New York and beyond.

Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Topics discussed:

What separates successful entrepreneurs from everyone else?Is it intelligence? Work ethic? Luck? Or is it something deeper?In this episode of Standing on Business, we sit down with Dr. John Torrens, entrepreneur, investor, former healthcare executive, and Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management.Dr. Torrens shares his journey from launching a speech therapy practice to building a healthcare company with more than 250 employees and $15 million in annual revenue before successfully exiting the business. Along the way, he learned firsthand what it takes to scale organizations, develop leaders, navigate setbacks, and create long-term value.We discuss why entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business, the traits that make entrepreneurs successful, and the growing body of research connecting ADHD and entrepreneurial performance. Dr. Torrens also opens up about burnout, health challenges, and why building a successful company means very little if you sacrifice your well-being in the process.Topics discussed:Are entrepreneurs born or made?The role of ADHD in entrepreneurshipOpportunity recognition and taking actionScaling a business from startup to successful exitHiring, leadership, and company cultureRevenue vs. profitabilityDelegation and building systemsBurnout, health, and entrepreneur wellnessTeaching entrepreneurship at Syracuse UniversityThe future of entrepreneurship in Central New YorkWhether you're a founder, business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply interested in how successful people think, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons from decades of experience.🎙️ Standing on Business features conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful businesses throughout Central New York and beyond.Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

In this episode of Standing on Business, we sit down with Dr. Samantha Lombardi, founder of Primal Chiropractic, to talk about entrepreneurship, leadership, health, and what it means to build a business rooted in purpose. From launching a specialized chiropractic practice focused on families, pediatrics, and prenatal care to growing a thriving team in Central New York, Dr. Lombardi shares the lessons she's learned along the way.The conversation explores the importance of authenticity in business, creating a strong team culture, navigating growth, and staying connected to your mission as an owner. Dr. Lombardi also discusses the role of chiropractic care in overall wellness, the connection between the nervous system and everyday health, and why helping people feel seen and supported remains at the heart of everything she does.Whether you're a business owner, healthcare professional, parent, or someone looking to build a life and career with greater intention, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership, community, and long-term success.Topics discussed:• Building Primal Chiropractic from the ground up• Leadership, hiring, and growing a team• Why authenticity matters in business• Nervous system health and chiropractic care• Creating a culture people want to be part of• Work-life balance for entrepreneurs• The future of health and wellness in CNY• Building community through businessStanding on Business is a podcast featuring entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who are building meaningful, people-first businesses throughout Central New York and beyond.

For many people, homeownership feels further away than ever. Rising home prices, higher interest rates, and constant headlines about the housing market have left many would-be buyers sitting on the sidelines.

But what if waiting is actually costing you more?

In this episode of Standing on Business, Joseph Dougherty, VP of Lending at CrossCountry Mortgage, breaks down the realities of today's housing market and shares why many people are closer to homeownership than they think.

With more than two decades in the mortgage industry, Joe explains how financing strategies, preparation, and the right team can help buyers compete in a fast-moving market. We also discuss common misconceptions about interest rates, first-time homebuyer mistakes, investment properties, and why trying to time the market is often the wrong move.

Beyond mortgages, this conversation is about trust, relationships, and helping people make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives with confidence.

Topics covered:

• Why waiting to buy a home may cost more than you think
• First-time homebuyer advice and common mistakes
• The reality of today's interest rates
• How to compete in a competitive housing market
• Investment properties and building wealth through real estate
• Syracuse's growing real estate market and the Micron effect
• Mortgage myths and misconceptions
• Leadership, mentorship, and building high-performing teams
• Why trust is the foundation of the mortgage business

Whether you're thinking about buying your first home, expanding a real estate portfolio, or simply trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode provides practical insights from someone who's spent 24 years helping people navigate the homeownership journey.

🎙️ Standing on Business
Available on all podcast platforms. Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful businesses across Central New York and beyond.

What if success wasn’t about climbing the ladder as fast as possible?

What if it was about building a career that actually supports the life you want to live?

In this episode of Standing on Business, Sara Schiavone shares her journey into real estate, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why she believes alignment matters more than chasing someone else's definition of success.

We discuss the realities of building a career in real estate, creating flexibility and freedom through entrepreneurship, and the importance of designing a life that reflects your priorities rather than letting work dictate them.

Sara also shares insights on relationships, networking, serving clients well, and how authenticity has helped her build trust in a people-first industry.

Topics covered:

• Building a career around your life instead of the other way around
• What success really means in different seasons of life
• The realities of working in real estate
• Creating flexibility and freedom through entrepreneurship
• Building relationships and trust in a people-driven business
• Networking, personal branding, and community involvement
• Taking ownership of your future

This conversation is a reminder that success isn't one-size-fits-all. The best career might not be the one that pays the most or looks the most impressive—it might be the one that allows you to live the life you actually want.

🎙️ Standing on Business
Available on all podcast platforms. Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful businesses across Central New York and beyond.

After COVID, people weren’t just looking for workouts anymore. They were looking for connection.

In this episode of Standing on Business, Ashlee Fiorini shares the story behind Pulse Lagree Fitness and how she turned a series of pop-up classes into one of Syracuse’s newest boutique fitness studios. From hauling machines in a U-Haul across Central New York to building a thriving community around wellness, this conversation is about betting on yourself before the vision fully exists.

We talk about:

• Why “third spaces” matter more than ever
• The rise of boutique fitness and community-driven experiences
• Building a business from pop-ups and word of mouth
• Returning to Syracuse after living in Boston and Nashville
• Leadership, culture, and creating authentic customer experiences
• Community over competition in Central New York
• How fitness can completely change your lifestyle and mindset

Ashlee also opens up about how Lagree helped pull her out of an unhealthy season of life and reignited her passion for wellness, discipline, and purpose.

This episode is about more than fitness. It’s about creating places where people feel connected, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves.

🎙️ Standing on Business
Available on all podcast platforms.

The restaurant industry looks polished from the outside. On the inside, it’s constant pressure, unpredictability, and problem solving in real time.

In this episode of Standing on Business, Jeff Deloff, chef and owner of Touche in Syracuse, breaks down what it actually takes to build and run a restaurant. From starting as a dishwasher to leading a full concept built around whole-animal butchery and local sourcing, Jeff shares the reality behind the craft.

We talk about slim margins, cash flow challenges, and why this is one of the most unforgiving industries to operate in. Jeff dives into the importance of systems, working with local farmers, adapting to what you have, and building a business that reflects your values instead of chasing trends.

This conversation goes beyond food. It’s about discipline, adaptability, leadership, and embracing chaos while still executing at a high level.

Topics covered:

• Why the restaurant industry is so unpredictable
• From dishwasher to owner-operator
• Whole-animal butchery and local sourcing
• The reality of margins and cash flow
• Building systems vs chasing trends
• Leadership, delegation, and team culture
• Hospitality and creating real experiences

🎙️ Standing on Business
Watch or listen on all podcast platforms.

Most people don’t struggle with knowing what to do. They struggle with doing what they said they would do.

In this episode of Standing on Business, Dan Goldberg of Syracuse Sweat Club breaks down the habit that impacts every area of your life and business: keeping the promises you make to yourself.

We dive into discipline, self-integrity, and the gap between intention and execution. Dan shares how building a business, leading a team, and maintaining personal health all come back to one core principle — doing the work, even when it’s inconvenient.

From leaving law school to pursue a meaningful career, to building and evolving a fitness business through multiple industry cycles, this conversation is about long-term thinking, trusting your intuition, and developing the habits that actually move your life forward.

Topics covered:

• Why self-integrity is the foundation of success
• The difference between knowing and doing
• Building discipline through daily habits
• Lessons from scaling a fitness business
• Trusting your intuition in business decisions
• Balancing growth, health, and leadership

🎙️ Standing on Business
Watch or listen on all podcast platforms.

Alejandro Gonzalez didn’t start with investors, generational wealth, or a roadmap. He started washing dishes, watching waiters, saving every dollar, and taking risks most people wouldn’t. From nearly going bankrupt just days before receiving his liquor license to building Margaritas, Tequilas, and Inkas into cultural staples in Syracuse, this episode is about sacrifice, faith, family, and relentless reinvestment.

We talk about:

• Why the restaurant industry is the easiest business to go bankrupt

• The power of risk, preparation, and opportunity colliding

• Reinvesting profits instead of chasing lifestyle

• Building with partners and why “skin in the game” matters

• How social media changed hospitality and atmosphere forever

• Faith, prayer, and the turning point that changed everything

• Why family is the foundation behind all the success

Alejandro shares how he sacrificed a decade of holidays, comfort, and luxury to build something lasting — and why serving people comes before serving profits.

This isn’t just a story about restaurants. It’s about discipline, resilience, vision, and standing on something bigger than money.

🎙️ Standing on Business
Available on all podcast platforms.
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