The Debbie Nigro Show

The Inaugural Sparked Me To Think About Americas First Family Of Fireworks. The Grucci’s!  Holders of The Guinness Book Of World Records  for “Largest Fireworks Display” ever recorded, 'Fireworks by Grucci' is a 6th generation family owned and operated company. Phil Grucci runs the company nowadays but he'll tell you it's been a family effort from day one and includes the efforts of many considered family because they've worked there so long.

 Phil joined me for a conversation to talk about what Fireworks By Grucci is doing during the pandemic minus all those typical giant fabulous celebrations. Inaugurals! Olympic Games! Commemorations like the Centennial and The Statue of Liberty!  Countless Las Vegas extravaganzas ....and now?

Enjoy our warm chat (which became two chats because hey we're both Italian and there was more to talk about) So interesting what  Grucci is doing with the Department of Defense, how Grucci is pivoting to make fireworks 'greener,' and what things are imperative to running a successful multi-generational business.

Oh yeah, and Phil tells the story of closing a Vegas deal with his Grandmas Meatballs.

(PS I’ve also successfully used 'the meatball strategy' )

 

Many have asked me about how to get an eBook done and since I'm working on one myself I thought I'd lend you my gal. You know I always got a guy or a gal!

Donna Kozik is my favorite book coach and her "Write a Book (or Ebook ) in A Weekend" events seem to help people get that elusive job done.  So you know. what keeps a LOT of people from writing a book or eBook is 'doubting their message is worthy' enough. It IS. There's always an audience that will thank you for your topic.

Donna Kozik can help you get your eBook done asap.  She offers a download for a FREE Book Planner which I downloaded that will get you a head start. You can write a short and powerful book to publish on Amazon’s Kindle or as a PDF giveaway to build your email list. Donna's got a good formula. Your ebook will allow you to introduce yourself and your topic to readers that will leave them wanting more and hopefully contacting you to get more. 

You know what I always say...Risk It! or Regret It! 

mybigbusinesscard.com

Tax Season Will Be More Taxing Than Usual This Year But You Know Me I Always Got a Guy! TAXX GUY! (yes he has a cape.)   As if there wasn't already enough stress, let's add in a zillion 'new' tax issues you need to address and some you better try hard to avoid, from the debacle known as 2020.   Unemployment benefits, stimulus payments, various state laws for working remote, all have created new tax challenges. And speaking of remote, many IRS workers have been working from home too and simple tasks that typically took like 5 days, like a tax professional filing a power of attorney on behalf of a client, are now taking 5 weeks or longer. That's according to my IRS 'Taxx Guy' Mark Glazewski who regularly resolves issues with the IRS on behalf of clients some of whom have thanked me for hearing about him on this show.   Mark says whatever else you do... just make sure you file your return on time even if you don't have the money to pay. The penalty for non filing is bigger that nonpayment.   TAXX Guy joined me for a conversation to run through a quick list of new tax 'traps' and new tax 'pluses' you might not be aware of. Mark who's also a small business tax expert has an important message for businesses who are using 'trust' funds to keep their doors open.   Mark 'strongly' suggests that you always have 'representation' when dealing IRS issues. taxxguy.com   A Valuable Listen.

My Daily NYS Coronavirus Update Email From NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Always Ends On A Hopeful Note. Since I'm a 'dealer in hope' I always read it. 

Yesterday it read - Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Having experienced COVID himself, New York City blues artist Dave Keyes wrote an original song to thank frontline heroes. His song "7 O'clock Somewhere" pays tribute to all those working to keep us safe throughout the pandemic. Listen to it here: ..." 

So I did. Wow woke me right up and made me smile. 5 Minutes later I contacted Dave Keyes to join me on my radio show and this podcast so more people could hear the rocking tribute song to all the frontline workers across the country where it's always 7 o'clock somewhere.

7 o'clock somewhere was sparked by the nightly roar of pots and pans and noise people were making out their windows to thank those risking their lives to keep the rest of us alive.

So great that Dave made it through Covid himself! Even better that he wrote this kickin' song with lyrics that will always remind us who the true heroes are. It's a timely hit. Pass it on.

You'll enjoy meeting Dave Keyes who you'll see jammin on the keyboard in the video. (Keyes on the keys...co-incidence or destiny? Hmmm) With John Putnam on guitar and Frank Pagano on drums. Video produced by Time Line Video Productions, Diane Cricchio producer, and Natt McFee , editor.

It's 7 O'Clock Somewhere! Dave Keyes YOU TUBE

 

 

If you know me you know I am 'Delusionally' Young. Ageless, Timeless, and Weightless! That's How I Roll ! I joke I get younger and better looking everyday and can't wait for tomorrow!  (Attitude is everything) But all kidding aside...I noticed some people really are looking younger today than they did yesterday.

I follow the thread on Instagram of a business gal I adore and admire named Lisa Topham the Director of the Split Rock Aesthetic Institute in CT. Mostly I stare at her posts like the ones below in awe. If I ever get the guts to 'rejuvenate' she'll be my gal.

Lisa Topham was CT's 1st ever aesthetic nurse injector! She's an RN with 32 years experience in the field of aesthetics, and is always first to train when something new and hot hits.

PDOMAX Threads are new and hot and Lisa's doing them. I invited Lisa to join me to follow the thread of this trend and see what makes it so different.

 

All these years later NFL Legend Joe Namath is still the one!

Voted The #1 'Character' in NFL History...Joe Namath Is Also A Gentleman, Good Man, Family Man, Philanthropist, Kind To The Public, and still in great shape.

I invited Joe Namath to talk a little NFL Playoff stuff but I really wanted to talk with him about a lot of other 'stuff' which we did. We bonded. Told him he's ageless timeless and weightless like me. We laughed. Joe's big on 'We' vs "Me' as you'll listen and see.

Was really a lot of fun to get a little personal with such a famous 'character'. To what does he attribute people still being smitten with him all these years? Who does he watch football games with? Does he yell during the games? What's his 'Grandpa' name? What about those white shoes back when? Can he cook? Does he do chores around his house? Enjoyed all the answers. 

By the way. I first met Joe Namath in bed. At the foot of my fathers bed on Sundays as a kid. I'd lean across watching football games with my Dad who always explained the game and taught me the rules. That is, when he wasn't on the phone with Uncle Joe (die hard Jets fan) who'd call in between every play to 'discuss'.  Fun memories.

Oh speaking of memories, wait till you hear about Joe Namath's Uncle Joe. Shhhh! He told me something he said he never told anyone. 

In case you're wondering...yes I am actually a football fan. Just an average female football fan who loves to watch the game. There are many of us. We have our favorite teams and favorite players. And Joe Namath happens to be one of my all time favorites. 

I hope you'll enjoy listening to our conversation which was supposed to be a ten minute interview but Joe was having such a good time we just kept going.

I typically post only my feature interviews here but this one was special so I've posted the podcast of my entire show with commercials edited out. There's a phrase in football you may have heard...Go Long!

So we did.

 

Lessonface is a platform that connects students with great teachers for live online lessons and classes in music, language, the arts you name it! It's so cool. (I can't wait to take harmonica lessons so I can jam with some random band when live music is  legal again.)

Lessonface Founder Claire Cunningham joins me to celebrate Lessonface's current wild momentum and also and recent partnerships. One with the 'MET' Orchestra Musicians for master classes. (Awesome) Another with the John C. Campbell Folk School (Double awesome).

Lessonface connects students with highly qualified, excellent teachers for one-on-one and group classes over high quality video conference. All you need to use Lessonface is a computer or tablet with webcam and reliable Internet access. 

All teachers on Lessonface are screened and vetted. The learning community spans all ages and levels. Students can sign up individually and as families. They also provide lesson and class programs to community centers, including schools and libraries. I love that they offer Gift Certificates.  

Claire Cunningham's background is in starting and operating educational technology, publishing, and hospitality businesses. She has an MBA from MIT and a history degree from the College of Charleston. She's a lifelong student rather than teacher and recently she's been taking mandolin lessons from Alan Epstein on the site, who she absolutely recommends.

"The spark that is created by a great teacher is a catalyst for self-discovery and development like no other." 

Check it out: Lessonface.com

Losing It With Clutter In Your Home or Home Office? Aging Parents Living Alone You Want To Prevent From Falling Over Stuff? Downsizing? Preparing Your Home for Sale?

You Know I Always Got A Gal! Bobbie Burkhart is a PRO Home Organizer Who Can Help You Now 'Virtually' As Well As In Person ! 

People are struggling with clutter and concern more now than ever. Bobbie is an expert in helping people cut through the emotional attachments that keep them from throwing stuff away. She's also an expert  in helping people 'downsize' and 'age in place safely'. Her happy clients are retired professionals, empty nesters, and people who have traveled all over the world. Transitions are easier and more fun with support she says.  If you are approaching any kind of lifestyle transition call her.

I love that she's posting 30 Tips In #30 Days on her Facebook Page and invited her to join my show' as a public service'! Her Tip #14: Donate the kitchen gadgets and small appliances you bought but have never used. They are cluttering up your kitchen and wasting valuable drawer, cabinet and counter space. YES they are Bobbie! 

Bobbie Burkhart has been a sought after Professional Organizer helping people in the Greater Philadelphia area declutter their homes since 2015.  The Pandemic opened a new avenue for her  to connect and help and she's now finding great success working with clients across the country virtually.

Personal Purging Is Emotional But Once It's Done - Whew!

Get Bobbie's FREE Organizing Tips when you visit her website:  homeorganizingtips4u.com  

 

 

No Star is Too Far! That's the message left for the next generation of young women across the globe by the late Katherine Johnson, the genius African American mathematician whose work at NASA was groundbreaking and on who's life the hit movie 'Hidden Figures' was based.

Katherine passed away last February. Her daughter Joylette Hylick joins me today for a short conversation upon the release of Katherine's inspiring autobiographical picture book of her journey to success.

It's called "ONE STEP FURTHER My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission". Katherine wrote it with 2 of her daughters Joylette Hylick and Katherine Moore. It's a book that every young girl should read.

BTW, if you haven't already seen the movie 'Hidden Figures', it's streaming on Amazon. It is EXCELLENT. Amazing story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. I would have loved to have been their friend.

http://debbienigro.com/late-hidden-figures-hero-leaves-message-for-next-generation/

Many Single People Have Found Being Home Alone... Lonely. Dating Is Challenging Enough Without Throwing In A Pandemic! Finding a connection during COVID-19 is not simple but there is one gal who is making it simpler especially for all the single ladies 30, 40, 50 and up.

My guest today is Andrea McGinty who has set up 33,000 dates, which have lead to 4,200 marriages! (Nice scorecard!) Before online dating, Andrea was the original founder of the mega successful matchmaking service 'It's Just Lunch' which I thought was brilliant. I mean come on how intimidating is meeting for 'lunch'? 

Andrea has decades of dating experience, and she herself is back on the dating scene both personally and professionally with 33 Thousand Dates, a coaching platform to help navigate the online dating scene.

Andrea wants to help interested singles safely find a connection in the middle of all this cover commotion. She's got some creative suggestions for virtual first dates too, and she can help you create an eye-catching dating profile. Oh yeah and she's all about encouraging you to make the first move. She'll explain in this episode where we talk about dating after divorce and death too.

Enjoy this feature interview with Andrea McGinty and check out her website 33000dates.com.

http://debbienigro.com/top-dating-guru-has-advice-for-single-people-home-alone/