WNY Entrepreneur

Nick is rated the #1 Tour Guide in Niagara Falls and Winner of the Golden Buffalo Award for “Best Tour Event in America”. Nick’s favorite spot in Niagara Falls, besides at home with his wife and kids, is Luna Island.

"Niagara Falls is in my heart. Some days, I feel like this rushing water was put here for me. There are few things that I love more than my home. If before you leave, I can share just a glimpse of what this place means to me, you will fall in love too!" 

Rosanna St. John is a certified public bookkeeper, and the owner of Canna bookkeeper LLC. She started the business in 2021, in response to the Marijuana Regulations and Taxation Act in New York State. The mission was simple, help high risk business owners satisfy the never-ending compliance. Canna Bookkeeper LLC specializes in providing day-to-day accountancy and bookkeeping services tailored to small and medium sized businesses.  The commitment extends to supporting local enterprises and contributing to the economic growth of New York. Through a hands-on approach, they've cultivated robust partnerships and forged collaborations across a wide array of industries.

Anthony M. DeSimone is a leading expert in helping businesses monetize AI to enhance efficiency and profitability. With over 25 years of experience as a CPA and CMA, he specializes in integrating AI with data to optimize small business operations. As the owner of 'You're the Expert Now, LLC,' and an adjunct professor at the University at Buffalo, Tony teaches entrepreneurs how to effectively leverage AI. Through his podcast, 'AI Mastermind,' and as a keynote speaker, he demonstrates AI’s transformative potential in business, from writing books to creating custom content using AI tools.

In this episode, host David Schaub dives deep into the essentials of hiring, training, and retaining entry-level sales reps for any industry. Whether you run a retail store, a B2B service, or a blue-collar business, this episode is packed with practical insights on how to find the right talent, develop effective training programs, and create a culture that keeps sales reps motivated. Tune in to discover actionable strategies to build a sales team that drives growth, with a special focus on training and cultural fit.

Nick is recognized as a digital marketing expert by many, including Ford Motor Company, RYSE Supplements & NRG Energy.He speaks often on business development, advertising, analytics and helps
brands navigate the nuances of the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.His day-to-day is centered around operating his businesses and consulting on technical and strategic execution of advanced sales and marketing techniques, including scalable solutions for customer relationship management and marketing automation.
His experience ranges from print marketing and (viral) content marketing to
digital marketing and sales technology integration.

Christopher Schunk is a business owner born and raised in WNY.  After being laid off in 2008 following a 15-year career in manufacturing, he faced 2 ½ years of uncertainty and doubt, unsure if he would ever regain his footing. Starting a business that no one believed in was his only option, but against all odds, it has not only survived but thrived, becoming the largest independent furniture retailer in the area in an industry dominated by big-box giants.  

Emily is invested in Buffalo and invested in her clients.

With a thorough hands-on approach, Emily’s strategy is fine tuned for each client she serves. 

Extensive knowledge and experience in all realms of real estate and every market in the WNY area, her focused enthusiasm works for the best interests of her clients to bring their vision to fruition and transactions to the closing table.

From first time home buyers, investments, both residential and commercial- Emily prides herself in her career in fine tuning the service she provides to her clients to assure their needs being met for the best outcome possible, regardless of the property specifics or price point. 

Mike has dedicated his entire life to the seafood business, starting at a young age by driving to New York City every week to procure the freshest fish from the bustling Fulton Fish Market and bring it back to Buffalo. This commitment ensured that Bailey Seafood had the widest selection of seafood in Buffalo. Twenty years ago, Mike purchased the market from his parents and transformed it into a thriving take-out only seafood spot. He focuses on cooked-to-order dishes, specialty menu items, seafood boils, and the
traditional fish fry. Under his leadership, Bailey Seafood has become Buffalo’s # seafood spot for decades.

Jason Wood is the owner and designer of 1979 Designs, a company that makes custom pins. He has worked diligently to build strong relationships with clients and deliver high quality products. Some of his clients include Ketel One Vodka, Fernet Branca, Campari, Founders Brewery, and Edrington Americas. 1979 Designs has produced as many as 60,000 pins at a time. Jason loves making customized, limited-edition pins for small businesses, parties, and weddings.