In this episode of Fireside America, I sit down with my good friend and industry powerhouse, Bernie Sousa. Bernie and I dive deep into his journey from discovering his sales skills at Circuit City to co-founding his own medical device distribution company, S2 Surgical Solutions, which specializes in distributing orthopedic implants, surgical instruments, and diagnostic devices, and generates over $10 million in annual revenue.Bernie shares insightful stories about the importance of mentorship, h...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 52 min
In this episode of Fireside America, we sit down with Justin, who has carved a niche in the NCAA sports decal industry. Starting from his early days in a modest graphics shop to now collaborating with major NCAA teams, Justin shares his journey of growth and the challenges faced along the way. We delve into the nuances of licensing, the importance of partnerships, and the competitive dynamics of the sports merchandising market. Justin’s commitment to quality and innovation has not only defined h...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Welcome back to the Fireside Podcast! Join me as I sit down with one of our business coaches from The Pit, Nick Fusilli. He is the principal owner of Freedom Acquisitions USA, and CFO for both Thermal Innovations Corporation and Highline Arena / Sand Beach Volleyball LLC. We delve into Nick's entrepreneurial journey, exploring his initial partnerships and ventures along with the powerful lessons he's learned in his real estate and business investments.Nick shares invaluable insights on the criti...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 15 min
In this dynamic episode of the Fireside Podcast, I'm joined by Chris Rizzolo, the principal owner of COR Realty Capital, for an in-depth discussion on the realities of entrepreneurship, sharing both the challenges and the rewards. We dive deep into the early hurdles of building businesses from the ground up, recounting the funding obstacles, strategic pivots, and hard-earned victories that defined our journeys.Chris underscores the transformative power of networking, revealing how forging just o...
May 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min
This week I had the honor of hearing some great stories from Frank Luna's work and life experiences. From police dispatcher in college and then transitioning into politics, later enlisting in the Army National Guard, and then on to public affairs and events. The conversation flows as we reminisce about chance encounters, charity work, and business insights through social media, and so much more! It was a pleasure having Frank come sit fireside! SOCIALS AND SITES RYAN'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.ins...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 22 min
Join host Ryan Robbins as he dives into the compelling, real-life stories of seasoned police officer Tommy Cetnar in this gripping video. From a chaotic night that spirals out of control to heartfelt reflections on duty and the emotional toll of policing, Tommy covers a broad spectrum of experiences that delineate the thin line between order and chaos. What to Expect: Hear firsthand accounts of violence and unexpected chaos during a night gone wrong, personal war stories reflecting on past actio...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Dive into the incredible journey of 'The Property Brothers in Law,' Ryan P and Michael J. R, as they share the transformative leap from their corporate confines to conquering the real estate world. Discover the power of vision, ambition, and the symbolic $100K bill that set the stage for their astounding first-year success. Whether you're dreaming of leaving the 9-5 grind, scaling new heights in real estate, or simply in need of some powerful motivation, this story is your beacon. Follow Firesid...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Join us on Fireside America as Ryan Robbins engages in a riveting conversation with Jamie Giovinazzo, the visionary founder of Eat Clean Bro. In this revealing interview, Jamie shares the compelling story of his ascent from initial setbacks to creating a leading healthy meal delivery service. Learn about the blend of passion, grit, and innovative thinking that propelled a simple idea into a flourishing business revolutionizing the way we think about healthy eating. From his early days grappling ...
Mar 07, 2024•46 min
Join us on Fireside America as Ryan Robbins sits down with rising racing star Thomas "Tommy" Annunziata to delve into the heart of his racing career. In this candid interview, Tommy shares the raw and inspiring story of his early days in racing, marked by the challenges of securing sponsorships and scholarships, and the personal and financial hurdles he overcame to chase his dream. From his humble beginnings in karting to his remarkable ascent in the world of professional racing, including his r...
Feb 22, 2024•35 min
Tune in to Fireside America as host Ryan Robbins engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Abiola of AV Luxury Design. Delve into the mind of a visionary entrepreneur and explore the philosophies and strategies that drive success in the modern business world. Gain unique insights and inspiration from this compelling dialogue, perfect for anyone passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. 🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring business stories and tips from industry leaders. 🔗 Connect with...
Feb 12, 2024•59 min
Had a great time sitting down with Dan Culmone, founder of The Handsome Devil Barber Shop based out of Belmar, New Jersey. We dove into the inner workings of running and scaling a successful barbershop, the pursuit of financial freedom and opportunities beyond being behind the chair. Dan is an insightful guy with a ton of potential and it was a pleasure to have him come sit fireside! ⬇️ SOCIALS AND SITES ⬇️ 📲 RYAN'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ryandrobbins/ 📲 DAN’S INSTAGRAM: https://...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Ankur Garg is CEO of AKG Creative and former co-founder of Shredz. Ankur helped build Shredz to nine-figures in revenue prior to his departure, yet during his tenure was influential in the creation of what is now known as “influencer marketing.” This was a fascinating conversation that went deep on marketing, fitness startups and the complexities of business partnerships. Enjoy! ⬇️ SOCIALS AND SITES ⬇️ 📲 RYAN'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ryandrobbins/ 📲 ANKUR’S INSTAGRAM: https://www...
Oct 19, 2023•1 hr 15 min
My most special guest to date! My wife, Kelly, stepped outside to site fireside as we often do, this time with cameras rolling. She shared her story from childhood to present, going deep on her father’s motorcycle accident that changed her family forever, pursuing her master’s degree, our first date, a general outlook on motherhood, marriage and more. She has been my rock since day one and the biggest supporter of all these ventures I am chasing down, for us! To know Kelly is to love her and I h...
Oct 12, 2023•56 min
Brandon Nicastro is the founder of Grand Canyon State Glass (GCS Glass), an elite supply and installation company that has grown to service California, New York, Colorado, Texas, and Arizona and exceeds revenues of $10 Million. Built from humble beginnings, Brandon started his career as a glazer before a very brief stint as an EMT, before returning to the glass industry before launching GCS Glass. He has since led GCS Glass to three consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5,000 list three consecutiv...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Jason Bitzer is a New Jersey native turned Hawaii transplant who competed as a professional bodyboarder on the historic North Shore. Jason is the founder of “Never Off Duty”, a non-profit that offers underprivileged, at-risk kids a pathway to emergency services such as lifeguarding, fire sciences, EMT and other civil servant career opportunities. Now back in New Jersey, his most important mission is giving his 3.5 year-old son, James, the best care possible as he battles Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. E...
Sep 07, 2023•46 min
Tony Chowdhury is the founder and CEO of Fusion Gyms, one of the most popular fitness factories in all of America. Tony is a relentless entrepreneur born in Bangladesh, who started his career as a personal trainer before creatively building an empire of equipment manufacturing, which he continues to scale today in conjunction with Fusion Gyms. With two current locations and one on the way, Fusion Gyms has quickly become one of the most recognizable and sought-after gyms in all of America. Tony h...
Aug 31, 2023•1 hr 12 min
Pat Grippaldi is the owner/operator of Gripp’s Stitches, an upholstery shop based out of Manahawkin, New Jersey specializing in marine and automotive upholstery, awnings and more. Pat and I go way back, but reconnected over the past few years when he caught onto Fireside America and told me of his entrepreneurial aspirations. After sending some encouragement mixed with classic Bricktown trash talk his way, Pat made the leap to make his side hustle his main hustle, leaving a comfortable union job...
Aug 24, 2023•59 min
David LaTempa is the owner/operator of Sonny’s Grille in Belmar, New Jersey. A north Jersey native, David chased his father’s dream of owning a simple hot dog business and has built one of the Jersey Shore’s top joints. He is a true testament to the American Dream – starting a business on your own terms, and not always chasing down a grand plan or “sexy” business. For most people, the American Dream is achieved by doing the little things right, and Dave shows up everyday to do just that. Dave’s ...
Aug 17, 2023•48 min
Ron Wesley Nussbaum is the founder and CEO of BuilderComs, an online portal and mobile app that helps contractors give their clients access to projects and communication. Ron is a Marine Corp veteran who spent a decade in the construction industry before identifying that lack of communication among projects was the #1 cause of failure. This was a super insightful conversation around data, construction, software and more, with the leader of a rapidly up-and-coming SAAS. Enjoy! ⬇️ SOCIALS AND SITE...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min
James Volpe is a partner at MTS Transport, a carrier working with large entities to build and deliver high end office furniture. James has lived out his own hero's journey, from foster care to freedom, and to this day holds the value of true relationships close to his heart. His ability to walk away from profitable deals because of unhealthy dynamics is admirable, as his sights stay set on deeper, long-term connections. It was a sit down at The Pit and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. ⬇️ ...
Jul 27, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Evan Farrar is the co-creator of Fireside America, The Pit and founder of Shapeshifters Media + Marketing. His agency has helped grow more than 50 businesses across New Jersey through the latest digital media and marketing strategies. Evan comes from a humble upbringing and maintains an altruistic approach to life, of which the foundation of his business is built upon. He finally stepped out from behind the camera to share his story, which included a butterfly effect of events that led him to ul...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Mike Zusman was the founder of cybersecurity firm Carve Systems prior to acquisition by iVision, where he currently serves as the VP of Cybersecurity. Mike got his start tinkering in computing at a young age, eventually working on e-commerce projects for a small telecommunications company, taking their revenues to multiple seven figures over his tenure. In the midst of it all, he began identifying weaknesses in cybersecurity, which led him to a stint with an Israeli-based firm doing "ethical hac...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Rawlings Barnes is a serial entrepreneur holding multiple executive-level positions, including CEO of 1 Mission Nutrition, Founder of FiftyX2 Apparel and COO of Maryland Fleet Center. Rawlings has a passion to deliver results through enhanced sales strategies, more efficient processes, and ongoing employee development. He brings over 25 years of business experience to the table with a career spanning multiple industries, giving him valuable "outside the box" insight and experience into the inner...
Jun 15, 2023•59 min
Mike and Nikki Ashkar are the husband/wife co-founders of Mav’s Top Buns, an artisanal cinnamon buns bakery based out of Monmouth County who have grown a cult-like following through their sell out pop-ups, collaborations and social media. Mike and Nikki are former advertising industry professionals who went all in on Mav’s Top Buns after its pandemic inception in 2020. Today, they have nearly a dozen part-time team members who have joined their mission to help bake thousands of buns each month a...
Jun 08, 2023•55 min
Rob and Dana Linn Bailey are serial entrepreneurs and, most notably, the founders of FlagNorFail. A former NCAA soccer player at West Chester University in Pennsylvania, Dana has become one of the most renowned female bodybuilders in history, becoming the first ever Ms. Olympia in 2009. Rob, also a former West Chester University athlete (football), is a Swiss Army knife of skills who has found massive success in various domains including gym ownership (The Warhouse Gym), music (Land and Ammo) su...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 40 min
Jemand Ezeonwuka is a Nigerian-born fitness entrepreneur, best known as founder of New Jersey-based “Eze Fitness”, a bootcamp style gym designed to burn 500 or more calories in just 60 minutes, combining resistance training, conditioning and boxing. Together with his wife, Kiko, Jemand has grown Eze Fitness to four Jersey Shore locations, with 10-year plans to have an Eze Fitness within 20 minutes of every New Jersey resident. We had a great time diving into Eze Fitness’ highly lucrative franchi...
May 25, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Matt Williams is the founder of The TriAxle App, a one-of-a-kind logistical networking app for the construction industry that’s on a mission to close the gap between contractors and business opportunities. Matt brought 20+ years of contracting and 10+ years of excavating experience to the table to create this unique technology to help contractors coordinate the exchange of clean fill, materials, equipment, trucking, contractors, and more. TriAxle features built-in communication and collaboration...
May 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Janie and Dave Ippolito are a husband/wife duo from Ocean County, New Jersey who have garnered the attention of millions through their comedic videos across platforms like TikTok (350K), Instagram (137K) and YouTube (131K). In just a few short years, The Ippolito Family has built a captivating influencer-style business to supplement their existing careers in entrepreneurship, with Dave as the owner/operator of Blue Line Powerwashing. This conversation was full of laughs, jabs and quick remarks, ...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Amy Russo is the founder/operator of Toast City Diner, a northeastern style eatery specializing in breakfast and lunch foods, with three locations across New Jersey. Amy is a grinder, a detail-oriented entrepreneur and the reason "Toast" has become one of the hottest spots at the Jersey Shore. Enjoy! ⬇️ FOLLOW MORE HERE ⬇️ 📲 RYAN'S INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/ryandrobbins/ 🍳 FOLLOW TOAST ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/toastcitydiner_/ 🖥 VISIT TOAST'S WEBSITE: https://toastci...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Anthony Curreri is the founder and CEO of Roadly Logistics, a premier freight brokerage headquartered in Matawan, New Jersey who sources the optimal method of transportation with more than 20,000 contracted carriers. An Old Bridge native and Towson University graduate, Anthony worked at two different industry brokerages in the northeast before launching Roadly Logistics in from his apartment in 2020. Anthony and Roadly have experienced a meteoric rise, with revenues nearing $20MM and 20+ employe...
Apr 27, 2023•59 min
