The city of Buffalo and the surrounding region have experienced a renaissance over the last 10-15 years, and in that time, 43North has played a huge role in attracting businesses to the area. On this episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs, host Dave Pfalzgraf connects with Colleen Heidinger and Pete Grum to discuss the competition, the organization's impact, and how Buffalo has become a place that entrepreneurs flourish. Episode Highlights 0:01:30 – David Pfalzgraf welcomes listeners to Year 2 of...
Aug 05, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host David Pfalzgraf welcomes his lifelong friend, creative force, and Buffalo native Pete McGennis . From childhood memories in Buffalo to the creation of Harley-Davidson’s only co-branded product, and now seven feature films and counting, Pete’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, storytelling, and following your joy. They reflect on Pete’s early entrepreneurial adventures, including building a national brand (Cool Sack), and dive deep into his evol...
Jul 01, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Brian Higgins has been a mainstay in Buffalo for decades. Even in his time in state and federal government, he was fighting to give Western New York the best opportunities to thrive. Now, as CEO and president of Shea's Performing Arts Center, the former congressperson comes back home to serve the community through the arts. Listen as Brian takes Dave from his humble beginnings in South Buffalo all the way to the nation's capital, and back again. Brian Higgins' Early Life and Education Born and r...
Jun 03, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 3
The science of sound is a unique and interesting area of study. Ultimately, we can attribute everything we hear to vibration. But not every vibration is a good vibration, and that's where Mike Latvis of Harmonic Resolution Systems comes in. From humble beginnings in aerospace to turning his passion for a pristine listening experience into a career, Mike takes Dave through his journey in music and science. Highlights of the episode include: From Basement Hobbyist to Global Audio Brand Mike shares...
May 06, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Tony Rupp may be a man who requires no introduction, as the founding partner of the law firm Rupp Pfalzgraf, LLC. Tony joins host Dave Pfalzgraf and longtime friend and partner in tech, Steve Poland for a forward-thinking episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs. Topics on this episode include the many uses of AI in the practice of law, the origins of Go To Verdict , and solid advice for entrepreneurs and startups. Origin Stories : Steve and Tony reflect on growing up in the Buffalo area and their ...
Apr 01, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 1
There is something to be said about accountability, a support network, and discipline. For Nick Ennis and Max Montante , it's given them the opportunity to give back with Mind Over Foundation . In this episode, host Dave Pfalzgraf speaks with Nick and Max about their dedication to mental wellness, and how their life experiences set the groundwork for their cause. Highlights include: - Growing up in WNY - Lifelong friendships - Joining the family business - Perpetuate the family legacy - Learning...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Dr. Leonard Kaplan has spent decades studying wellness and has built a practice that incorporates integrative, regenerative, and functional medicine into the treatment of the patients at OWM Integrative Wellness . Host David Pfalzgraf and Dr. Kaplan explore a life dedicated to developing an understanding of the human body and its systems, the future of medicine, and more. Highlights include: - Following in dad's footsteps - Having an early idea of what the future might hold - Choosing osteopathy...
Feb 04, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
If you are in Buffalo and you like craft beer and great food, chances are you've been to a Schutte Hospitality restaurant. Managing Creekview , Britesmith Brewing , Oliver's , and Marcato is no easy task, but David Schutte's labors of love have been providing Western New York with excellent experiences all over the region. Learn more about David and the path to hospitality on this episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business Law. Highlights include: - Getting an early start in hospitality ...
Jan 07, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In a landscape dominated by chain grocery stores, Stuart Green operates Braymiller Market , which proudly provides fresh produce and tantalizing prepared foods for the southtowns, and as of 2020, downtown Buffalo. In Episode 8 of the Empire State Entrepreneurs podcast, we learn Stuart's story. Highlights include: - A photographic beginning - An unlikely first career - An unlikely second career - Purchasing a local legacy - Going from a corporate industry to owning a small business - The Undercov...
Dec 03, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Evan Giokas and Carl (CJ) Montante III bring an immeasurable wealth of energy to every room they are in. They are experts in communication, and that's clear from the moment they begin a conversation. This episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs is no exception - the great minds behind MGM Coaching take Dave through a journey of self-discovery and give listeners a chance to evaluate how they communicate, and how to improve interpersonal relationships by simply understanding themselves. Highlights i...
Nov 05, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 8
One thing is certain: Buffalo is lucky to have Nagendra Raina . His journey to becoming the president of Buffalo Games is a story for the ages, and he shares that exciting odyssey with us here in Episode 7. Highlights include: - Growing up in New Delhi - Losing a parent at a young age - Using loss to build resilience and courage - Math, Science, and Programming - Growing from a coder to an entrepreneur - Coming to America (and not Canada) - Growing from an entrepreneur to president of the fastes...
Oct 01, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 7
As the Chief Information Officer for M&T Bank , Mike Wisler has been to every corner of the Western world, but found answers a lot of the questions that life had raised along the way in the unlikeliest of places. Highlights of the conversation include: - Bringing Middle Ohio to Buffalo - A startup that became an international enterprise - Modernizing statistical analysis - The problematic lifestyle of a traveling manager - Listening to the voice inside your head - Finding Buffalo; finding re...
Sep 03, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Jamie Obletz took a position at Delaware North just as business in that industry was coming to a screeching halt. On this episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs, Jamie and Dave discusses how he dealt with the adversity and ushered the Sportservice division to new heights. Highlights include: Heading to NYC for grad school Working at J.P. Morgan The marathon weeks of investment banking Advocating for yourself (Taking matters into your own hands) The Risk Journey Turning relationships into opportun...
Aug 06, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 5
On this episode, host Dave Pfalzgraf welcomes Sharon Cryan , The creative, motivated mind behind FoodNerd . The revolutionary snack products at FoodNerd offer children a full compliment of key nutrients, supporting healthy habits at a young age. "We're on a mission to redefine what kids eat today, tomorrow, and in the future. We craft a variety of tasty foods, but beneath the deliciousness, we're also setting new standards for nutrient density," Sharon writes. Tune in for Sharon's story, and how...
Jul 09, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Frank Ewing is the CEO of AML Rightsource , a global leader in financial crime prevention and third-party compliance. According to their website, Frank is, "...a thought leader and innovator in the global anti-financial crimes and regulatory management space and is always focused on providing the best service and experience for our clients." Listeners will soon learn that his focus on service for both his internal and external clients is what drives him to be the best leader he can be. In this e...
Jun 04, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Juweria Dahir is a gift to the Buffalo entrepreneur community. She has developed a passion for data, evidence-based decision making, and listening, and has applied that passion to improve access to crucial networking opportunities for small businesses in underserved populations as the Director of Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus . In this episode, host Dave Pfalzgraf leads Juweria through a journey that begins with her early life and how her humbl...
May 07, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 2
John Gavigan's energetic presence has helped grow Western New York's reputation as an incubator for dynamic startup businesses. His time as Executive Director of 43North solidified John as an expert in guiding startups to the next level, and since then, he has worked tirelessly to continue the success of entrepreneurs regionally, nationally, and internationally. In this episode, host Dave Pfalzgraf leads John through US Open reverie and garners valuable insight from the world of entrepreneurship...
Apr 02, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
