Welcome to the podcast where business solutions flow as smoothly as your favorite drink. We invite local business leaders to share their insights — all while enjoying their preferred beverage. Are you ready to join the conversation?
Season 1 Episodes
First Pour: Launching Season 1
Featuring Charles IT Founder & CEO, Foster Charles
Sal and Foster set the tone for a compelling first season. They give an overview of what to expect and discuss their shared love of bourbon.
Budget Branding 101: Making Your Mark Without Breaking the Bank
Featuring Rebellion Group founder & CEO, Bryn Tindall
Sal and Bryn Tindall, Founder and CEO of Rebellion Group, sit down to talk branding 101. With a glass of Breckenridge bourbon in hand, they discuss cultivating business relationships, billboards, post-Covid anxiety, and other interesting topics.
Tech Takeover: Unleashing AI’s Potential in Business
Featuring HABCO Industries President & CEO, Brian Montanari
Sal and Brian Montanari, President and CEO of HABCO Industries, sit down to talk about the business potential of AI. With a glass of Whistlepig in hand, they discuss AI in a highly regulated field, retaining employees, and finding a guiding light platform.
Beyond the Boardroom: Strategies for Productive Meetings
Featuring Nick Dagenais, CFO and Treasurer of Obsidian Insurance Holdings
Sal and Nick Dagenais, the CFO and Treasurer of Obsidian Insurance Holdings, discuss strategies for holding productive meetings over a glass of fruit juice. They dive into topics such as defining the purpose of meetings, deciding who should attend, and the pros and cons of virtual versus in-person gatherings. Plus, they explore why it’s sometimes okay to stray off topic, and how to get back on track when that happens.
Values Vibe Setting a Tone for Company Culture
Featuring Nasdaq's Head of AI & Emerging Technology, Mike O'Rourke
Sal and Mike O’Rourke, Nasdaq’s Head of AI & Emerging Technology, share their thoughts on what makes a great company culture, all while enjoying a fine glass of Thomas H. Handy bourbon. They discuss how to strike the perfect balance between a fun workplace and productivity, what truly resonates with younger generations when it comes to their careers, and the role of empathy in creating a meaningful work environment.
The Acquisition Game: Winning the War for Top Talent
Featuring Emily Wood, Partner and Chief Client Officer at Connecticut Wealth Management LLC
Sal chats with Emily Wood, Partner and Chief Client Officer at Connecticut Wealth Management, LLC, about strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in today’s competitive job market. They dive into creating work-life harmony, addressing the challenges of managing a Gen Z workforce, and the importance of promoting from within by providing training opportunities. Emily highlights how thoughtfully designed office spaces, with elements like golf simulators, gyms, and signature scents, can encourage a happy return to in-person work. They also discuss hiring for cultural fit and fair compensation backed by data-driven insights.
Turnover Troubles: The Cost of Losing Talent
Featuring Colby Coombs, Chief Financial Officer at Westminster Tool
Together, they explore strategies for hiring to fit company culture, as well as the principles of “hire slow, fire fast” and ensuring that the “right person is in the right seat.” They also touch on the importance of avoiding employee burnout and the value of understanding what motivates each team member.
The Art of Juggling: Maintaining Work/Life Harmony
Featuring Isabela Piza Danielsen, the F135 Production Proposals and Affordability Director at Pratt & Whitney
Sal and Isabela Piza Danielsen, the F135 Production Proposals and Affordability Director at Pratt & Whitney, share insights on achieving work-life harmony, including the importance of setting boundaries and embracing the power of saying no with confidence. They also discuss how to turn high performers into impactful leaders by encouraging curiosity as a key aspect of leadership.
Leadership Transitions and Building Company Culture
Featuring Kris Kesting, Owner and CEO of DisplayCraft, Inc
Sal is joined by Kris Kesting, Owner and CEO of DisplayCraft, Inc., to discuss their platinum rule for motivating employees. As the new owner of an established company, Kris also talked about the importance of getting to know your employees and their company culture, as well as why it’s essential to give employees a voice in the decision-making process. They also touch on the concepts of the old guard versus the new guard, hiring to balance a team, and the difference between management versus real leadership.
Season 2 Episodes
Accelerating Adoption: Driving Innovation and Resilience in Manufacturing
Featuring Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer
Hiring and retaining skilled workers in manufacturing is more challenging than ever, especially with the rise of automation. In this episode, Sal sits down with Paul Lavoie, Connecticut’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, to explore how technology is transforming jobs, improving efficiency, and creating new opportunities in the industry. They discuss workforce development strategies, the impact of AI on manufacturing roles, and how businesses can leverage grant funding for training programs. Paul also debunks common myths about automation, explaining how it enhances job quality rather than replacing workers. Whether you’re in manufacturing or just curious about the future of work, this conversation is packed with insights on innovation, recruitment, and retention.
Breaking Through the Ceiling – How to Grow Your Business Without Struggle
Featuring Joseph Jaffe, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, and EOS implementer
Business growth can feel like an uphill battle, but the right strategies can make all the difference. In this episode, Sal sits down with Joseph Jaffe, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, and EOS implementer, to explore the key reasons why companies fail and the impact of having the wrong people in the wrong roles. Joseph shares his insights on how businesses can overcome the ceiling effect and continue to grow. They discuss shifting goal posts and how oftentimes they should be embraced. Throughout the conversation, Joseph highlights how the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework can help businesses tackle these challenges and unlock their full potential.
Building a Legacy: Succession & the Future of Family Businesses
Featuring Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries
Sal sits down with Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, to discuss her journey in leading her family’s manufacturing business. She shares how her transition with her father was smoother than his own, the role of long-term employees in succession planning, and the tight-knit nature of the industry. Jill additionally highlights the importance of setting work-family boundaries, preserving tribal knowledge as older employees retire, and having a strong board of directors. Her father had encouraged her to serve on boards as well, to open doors and reinforce her passion for helping others. Jill also explores the challenges of letting go of a business and how programs like Vistage support leadership growth.
