After three decades in the tech industry, Emily Carlson found herself laid off and at a crossroads. Instead of jumping back into the corporate world, she leaned into the unknown and launched her own consulting business, PBA Consulting. Now, she helps entrepreneurs, startups, and leadership teams harness the power of artificial intelligence, streamline operations, and build healthier, more efficient technical teams.

In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Emily shares her journey from stable paycheck to founder, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, communication, and building businesses that work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’ve toyed with the idea of bringing AI into your business or you’re simply trying to lead your team better, Emily’s insights will challenge how you think about problem solving, hiring, and tech strategy.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why getting laid off after 30 years in tech pushed Emily into entrepreneurship and why she believes more seasoned leaders should make the leap sooner

✅ The real reason most AI projects fail

✅ How to translate complex tech challenges into clear business wins

✅ Why many teams aren’t understaffed, they’re underutilized

✅ What it takes to coach high-level technical talent, especially those who struggle with people skills or communication

✅ How empathy became Emily’s secret weapon in the world of IT and cybersecurity leadership

✅ What she wishes every founder knew before hiring consultants or building a tech team from scratch

💬 Why It Matters for Entrepreneurs:

Too often, business owners rush into tech without strategy or avoid it altogether out of fear. Emily brings a refreshing blend of practicality and heart to this conversation, reminding us that clarity, communication, and trust are just as important as technical skill. Whether you’re scaling a startup, navigating leadership challenges, or wondering if AI is worth exploring, this episode offers a roadmap you didn’t know you needed.

Imagine launching your business one week before the world shut down.

That’s exactly what Robb Everhart did. As co-founder of Fairway Home Mortgage in Rochester, NY, Robb and his wife opened their doors just days before the COVID lockdowns began in 2020.

But that’s just one chapter in a story shaped by two decades of leadership in the mortgage world—navigating market crashes, scaling teams, learning hard lessons in hiring, and redefining what success really means.

In this episode, Robb gets real about the cost of playing a role, the power of mentorship, and the growth that comes when you finally decide to lead with authenticity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How launching a business during a global shutdown taught Robb to lead with calm, clarity, and confidence

✅ Why being inauthentic early in business cost him years of progress—and what finally helped him find his voice

✅ How to recognize when a partnership or hire isn’t right (and why ignoring your gut can quietly derail your culture)

✅ The question a mentor asked that changed how he leads his team

✅ Why being a strong communicator is a superpower in high-stakes industries like finance

✅ How coaching baseball and navigating divorce shaped his view on leadership and legacy

✅ The biggest hiring lesson Robb learned—and how slowing down actually speeds up growth

✅ What entrepreneurs can learn from the evolution of lending—from cold calls to AI tools

✅ Why staying true to your values is harder—but always worth it

✅ How defining your mission helps you grow with clarity, even when the world around you is in chaos

🎧 If you’ve ever felt pulled between who you think you should be in business and who you really are, this episode will remind you: growth starts with getting honest—and it’s never too late to lead differently.

What happens when success on paper doesn’t feel like success in real life?

In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Dan Greco, founder of Most Alive, to talk about the uncomfortable but powerful moment he walked away from a high-ranking corporate career to build something more meaningful.

Dan shares how his personal turning point became the foundation for a business that now helps other high-performing entrepreneurs find clarity, fulfillment, and forward momentum. This isn’t just a story about leaving a job—it’s about breaking free from limiting stories, realigning your values, and learning how to lead with purpose.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why Dan walked away from a senior VP role at M&T Bank to launch Most Alive

✅ The surprising reason high achievers often feel stuck or unfulfilled

✅ How to recognize when frustration outweighs fulfillment—and what to do about it

✅ The coaching framework he uses to help entrepreneurs turn chaos into clarity

✅ Why “asking why” the right way can unlock deeper motivation and direction

✅ How limiting beliefs—not lack of resources—hold most business owners back

✅ What failure taught him about feedback, humility, and long-term growth

🎧 If you’ve ever felt like something’s missing — even when things are “going well” — this conversation will hit home. Dan’s story is a powerful reminder that true success starts with self-awareness.

What if you could build a thriving real estate business — without owning a single property?

In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Christian Bauman, founder of Buffalo Corporate Housing, to hear how he went from broke college dropout at 21 to managing over 50 fully furnished rental units across Western New York.

Christian breaks down the strategy behind his rapid growth in the midterm rental market, why he bet on Buffalo instead of short-term Airbnb plays, and how one networking event changed everything. From bootstrapping and subleasing legally to surviving COVID and scaling with zero marketing budget, this episode is packed with practical advice and mindset shifts for any business owner ready to grow without the traditional blueprint.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How Christian went from dropping out of college to managing 50+ rentals

✅ Why midterm rentals are a smart alternative to short-term Airbnb

✅ His simple but powerful pitch to get landlords on board with subleasing

✅ How to scale a service-based business without owning assets

✅ The lessons he learned during COVID and how Buffalo’s rental climate shaped his strategy

✅ Why showing up to local events built his entire business network

✅ The mindset that helped him push through tragedy and stay focused on growth

🎧 If you're thinking differently about real estate, revenue streams, or building something from scratch—this episode will give you the spark you need.

Rob Picone’s entrepreneurial story isn’t one of overnight success—it’s one of grit, humility, and learning the hard way. After being audited twice and nearly losing everything, Rob turned things around to build a multimillion-dollar business with over 30 employees. Now, he’s sharing the lessons most business owners learn too late.

In this episode of the WNY Entrepreneur Podcast, Rob opens up about the financial missteps that nearly sank his company, the systems that keep him sane today, and how empathy became his greatest leadership asset.

Whether you’re in a blue-collar trade or scaling a professional service, this conversation is packed with relatable, real-world advice on protecting your business, building a loyal team, and staying grounded while you grow.

You’ll learn:

✅ How Rob went from nearly losing it all to building a multimillion-dollar operation

✅ The CPA mistake that almost cost him his business—and how to choose the right financial partners

✅ Simple systems he uses now to stay compliant and focused

✅ What leading a team of 30+ taught him about loyalty and leadership

✅ Why empathy is his leadership superpower—and how he avoids burnout

✅ How professionalism creates trust, even in blue-collar industries

✅ The mindset shift that took him from hustle mode to long-term strategy

🎧 Listen in and learn from someone who’s been in the trenches—and came out stronger.

What happens when a business opportunity keeps showing up—and you finally say yes? For Travis Matheny, that moment changed everything.

In this episode, Travis shares the real story behind his journey from reluctant entrepreneur to confident business owner and leader. With honesty and clarity, he breaks down the mistakes he made, the turning points that helped him grow, and the systems and mindset shifts that allowed him to scale without burning out.

If you're building a team, making tough calls, or struggling to get out of the weeds in your business—this one's for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Why the third “ask” was the charm—and how saying yes at the right time launched his business

- The biggest leadership mistake Travis made early on (and how he fixed it)

- How to handle it when your people stop growing with you

- The question he now asks himself before every hard conversation

- How simple systems helped him escape reactive mode and think like a CEO

- Why culture always wins—even in a saturated market

- The personal habits and accountability practices that keep him grounded and growing

Travis doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of entrepreneurship—but he also proves that with the right tools and mindset, you can grow a business that’s both sustainable and fulfilling.

🎧 Listen in for honest leadership lessons, growth strategies, and the kind of advice most business owners wish they heard sooner.

In this episode, we talk with Vanessa Palumbo, franchise owner of Dream Vacations, about how she turned a background in caregiving and family management into a thriving, service-first business in one of the most competitive industries out there.

Vanessa shares how she leveraged relationship-building, strategic networking, and repeatable systems—not big marketing budgets—to create consistent growth and long-term client retention. Her story is a case study in how to bet on yourself, build trust at scale, and turn everyday strengths into entrepreneurial assets.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

-Why she trained for her new business while the travel industry was shut down

-How a service-first mindset helped her rise above the noise

-What most people get wrong about travel agents—and how she adds value without adding cost

-How she built a loyal client base through referrals, responsiveness, and trust

-Why local networking (the right way) moved her business forward faster, even when it pushed her outside of her comfort zone

-The backend systems and personal habits she uses to stay focused and grow sustainably

If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a huge marketing machine or perfect timing to grow a business—you’ll want to hear Vanessa’s take. This episode is packed with practical insight, especially for entrepreneurs building their business from the ground up or navigating a crowded space.

Hiring the right people can make or break your business. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Lewis, Co-owner of StaffBuffalo, to go behind the scenes of smart hiring and uncover what business owners need to know about building teams that truly help them grow. Lauren brings her expertise from years of working with companies across Western New York, helping them find top talent and avoid costly mistakes in the hiring process.

Lauren shares real-world insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how business owners can shift their mindset when it comes to recruiting and retaining employees. With a passion for supporting local businesses, she gives practical strategies that any entrepreneur can apply right away.

What Business Owners Will Learn in This Episode:

Why hiring is more than just filling a seat and how to find employees who fit your culture

The most common hiring mistakes entrepreneurs make and how to avoid them

How StaffBuffalo helps businesses save time and money with the right talent solutions

What local businesses in WNY are doing to attract and keep top talent

Why investing in your team is the key to scaling your business long term.

Entrepreneurs are wired to hustle, but what if the real growth strategy is slowing down? In this episode, Nicole Chumsky, founder of Be Embodied, LLC and The Mindfulness Alliance, shares how mindfulness practices can shift the way business owners lead, make decisions, and handle stress. Drawing from her work in embodiment and mindfulness-based coaching, Nicole explains why awareness is not a luxury but a competitive advantage in today’s business world.

What Business Owners Will Learn:

Why self awareness is directly linked to better business outcomes

How mindfulness practices can reduce stress and increase clarity in decision making

The hidden costs of ignoring your mental and emotional well-being as an entrepreneur

Practical tools business owners can use daily to stay grounded in the middle of chaos

How embodied leadership creates healthier teams and stronger company culture.

Planning ahead is not just about family care — it is also a principle that can transform how you run your business. In this episode, I talk with Ann Marie Klosko, owner of Eldercare Transition Consulting, about the powerful lessons entrepreneurs can learn from helping families navigate eldercare transitions.

Ann Marie shares real world stories of what happens when families plan ahead — and when they don’t. The parallels for business owners are striking: ignoring tough conversations or avoiding decisions can create chaos, while thoughtful preparation leads to smoother outcomes.

Her insights will challenge you to think differently about leadership, planning, and decision making, both at home and in your business.

What Business Owners Will Learn in This Episode:

How planning for difficult situations in advance reduces stress and conflict

Why avoidance is one of the costliest mistakes leaders make — in family and in business

The role of communication and transparency in making transitions smoother

Lessons from family dynamics that translate into building healthier teams

How facing uncomfortable realities can set your business up for long term success

📞 To connect with Ann Marie directly, you can reach her at 716-440-0933.