Standing on Business

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
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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
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Raisa Zhovklaya is the operator of Project Lean Nation in Syracuse, and her approach to business is rooted in discipline, service, and real lifestyle change. In this episode of Standing on Business, we dive into what it takes to build a wellness brand that goes beyond convenience and creates lasting impact.We talk about transitioning from healthcare into entrepreneurship, building systems that support consistency, and why accountability, education, and community matter more than quick fixes. Raisa shares what separates sustainable health from trends, how to lead a people-first team, and what it looks like to grow a mission-driven business in a results-driven world.This conversation is about leadership under pressure, building trust with your clients, and creating a business that improves lives while still operating with clarity and structure.Topics covered:Building a people-first wellness businessDiscipline, consistency, and long-term healthCreating systems that support real changeLeadership and accountability in service-based brandsGrowing a community around results, not hype🎙️ Standing on BusinessSubscribe for weekly conversations with founders and operators building meaningful businesses.

Episode 4 – From the Counter to the Cornerstone | Tony Calascibetta (Cam’s Pizza)Cam’s Pizza didn’t become a local staple by accident. It was built through consistency, faith, and a deep commitment to serving people well. In this episode of Standing on Business, Tony Calascibetta shares the origins of Cam’s, what it took to grow from behind the counter into a cornerstone of the community, and the lessons learned along the way.We talk about how faith plays a central role in Tony’s approach to business, why purpose matters more than profit alone, and how a business can be used as a tool to serve employees, customers, and the community at large. This conversation is about leadership, stewardship, and building something that lasts by putting people first.

Kyle Patchett’s journey proves that real success is built on service, not shortcuts. Growing up in Syracuse, learning the craft of barbering locally, and then spending years in New York City, Kyle developed a people-first philosophy that ultimately led him back home to open Forum Barber in Downtown Syracuse.

In this episode of Standing on Business, we talk about why taking care of people matters more than chasing money, how hospitality creates loyalty you can’t buy, and why the best businesses win by focusing on experience, trust, and community. Kyle also breaks down the “side door” approach to growth, lessons from Setting the Table, and what NYC taught him about building culture that lasts.

This conversation is about craft before clout, service before hustle, and building something meaningful by putting people first.

John Ryan’s path into finance was anything but traditional. Starting out on a dairy farm, moving into industrial automation, and eventually becoming a financial planner, John built his career by learning systems, process, and long-term thinking at every step.

In this episode of Standing on Business, we talk about why unconventional backgrounds can create better decision-makers, how working with your hands shapes the way you manage money, and why trust, consistency, and patience matter more than quick wins when building wealth. John also shares lessons from farming and automation that directly translate to financial planning, plus advice for anyone navigating a non-linear career path.

This conversation is about doing the work, thinking long-term, and building something that lasts.

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Standing on Business Podcast by Black Stag Industries.

We’re kicking off the series with Chattanooga home builder Paul Pototsky, a craftsman, entrepreneur, and operator who believes one thing above all: passion is the difference-maker. In this conversation, Paul breaks down how passion shows up in the smallest details, why it separates good from great, and how building with intention shapes every part of your business and life.

This episode sets the foundation for what this podcast will become — real conversations with real people who show up, do the work, and pursue excellence with their whole heart.

In this episode we cover:
• Why passion must be present in anything you pursue
• The mindset behind craftsmanship and high standards
• Lessons learned from building homes and building a business
• How discipline and intention shape long-term success
• What it means to take pride in your work, no matter the scale

Whether you’re a builder, a business owner, or someone striving to elevate your work ethic, you’ll take something meaningful from this conversation.

Subscribe to the channel, follow the journey, and tap in as we sit down with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders who know what it means to stand on business.

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