WNY Entrepreneur

What does it take to grow a home organizing business from a one-woman side hustle to the largest operation of its kind in Western New York? In this episode, Tonya Cunningham, founder of Next Chapter Solutions, shares the real behind-the-scenes journey of building a 17-person team—without a business degree, startup capital, or traditional management experience.

Entrepreneurs will hear how Tonya:

• Turned her natural talent into a scalable service

• Built a flexible team culture that thrives without burnout

• Attracts the right clients by knowing when to say no

• Created systems out of chaos to streamline growth

• Used family collaboration to spin off multiple aligned businesses

Whether you're in the service industry or simply looking to grow with more intention, Tonya’s story is packed with practical lessons and fresh perspective on leadership, hiring, and growing a business that reflects your values.

Listen in and walk away with clarity, encouragement, and maybe a few ideas to clean up your own operations.

In this solo episode, I get real about the hard but necessary changes I’ve made over the past six months as a business owner, husband, and dad. From cutting my workweek down to three days, turning down “good” opportunities, to focusing only on profit-building activities and deep relationships—this episode is a reflection on what truly matters.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own calendar, unsure if your content is landing, or burned out from saying yes to too much, this one’s for you.
We’ll cover:

• Why “family first” has to show up in your schedule, not just your words

• How to rethink your content strategy for clarity and real connection

• The deep lake vs wide lake mindset

• Delegating with trust (and consequences)

• The shift from reach to relationship in marketing

• And the freedom of not needing to be everywhere

Kelly Phillips, owner of The Lodge Auction House, shares how she turned a lifelong passion into a 22-year business rooted in transparency and trust. From navigating estate liquidations to managing a team through personal loss, Kelly breaks down what it takes to scale a service business while staying true to your values. Her story is a mix of grit, growth, and great business lessons.
What You’ll Learn:

• How to turn a passion into a long-term business

• The power of transparency and consistency in brand building

• Delegation strategies for small service teams

• How to adapt when markets shift

• Lessons from handling both high-end estates and emotional client situations

In this solo episode, David Schaub, founder of WNY Entrepreneur, pulls back the curtain on something few business owners talk about—the unexpected downsides of growth. We all want to scale, but is it actually bringing you more peace, profit, or freedom?

David shares honest insights from years of mentoring entrepreneurs, leading mastermind groups, and living the business owner life himself. You’ll be challenged to rethink what success really looks like, especially in the context of your current season of life.

If you're feeling stretched thin, constantly chasing the next milestone, or wondering if there’s a better way to grow—this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Western New York Entrepreneur Podcast, we sit down with Deacon Tasker—one of Buffalo’s top real estate agents and co-owner of Rosie’s Ice Cream, a beloved local scoop shop with two growing locations. Deacon shares how he successfully manages two very different businesses, all while raising five kids and staying deeply rooted in the Buffalo community.

You’ll learn:

How Deacon scaled both a service-based and product-based business

What systems and people he put in place to get out of the day-to-day grind

Why building a brand experience matters more than price in competitive markets

How to build something seasonal or flexible to match your lifestyle goals

What real estate taught him about running a brick-and-mortar shop (and vice versa)

Why community collaborations and grassroots marketing still win

Tips for launching a business while keeping your sanity and values intact

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Valerio, owner of Four Winds Chimney, to talk about how he scaled his contracting business from a one-man operation to over 50 employees in just seven years—right here in Western New York.

Anthony shares how a personal injury sparked his entrepreneurial journey, how he hires and retains top talent in a tough labor market, and why focusing on people over profit has been the key to sustainable growth.

You’ll learn:

How to build systems that support scaling (even if you hate admin work)

Why delegating early—even before you're “ready”—is crucial

How to turn your first few hires into long-term team members

What culture actually means in a service business (and how to create it)

Tips for attracting and keeping talent in contracting and trades

Why branding matters even in local home services

How Anthony used marketing, mentorship, and leadership to build a trusted name in multiple cities

Whether you’re a solo operator or running a small team, Anthony’s approach will inspire you to think bigger—and grow smarter.

Meet Sal Alaimo, a powerhouse in the plumbing and heating industry with over 30 years of experience and a decade as a successful business owner. Born and raised in North Buffalo to immigrant parents, Sal’s entrepreneurial journey is a story of resilience, adaptability, and strategic growth.

After becoming a father at 22, Sal left college and jumped into the trades, starting as a carpenter’s apprentice before finding his niche in HVAC and plumbing. He quickly climbed the ranks, joining Local 22 in 2003 and leading major commercial projects like Ralph Wilson Stadium and Harborcenter as a steward and foreman. But when layoffs became frequent, Sal took control of his future—launching his own company in 2015 as a sole proprietor.

Sal’s turning point came in 2023 after a serious injury forced him to scale his business. He expanded his operation, purchased more trucks, and hired a team—transforming a one-man operation into a growing business. His story reflects the entrepreneurial spirit: knowing when to pivot, when to grow, and how to build a business that stands the test of time.

Sal’s journey from the job site to business ownership is packed with hard-earned lessons and strategic wins. Tune in to hear how he leveraged decades of experience to create a thriving business and why adaptability is the key to entrepreneurial success.

Meet Tony Galbo, a Lancaster, NY native now thriving in Clarence with his wife and three boys. Tony is a natural-born entrepreneur whose passion for growth and tangible success has propelled him to impressive heights as a business owner, husband, and father. As President of Galbo Group, Tony’s journey began as a specialty contractor in masonry—but he didn’t stop there.

With his construction business thriving, Tony took a bold step into real estate by purchasing a multi-tenant commercial and industrial property, which became home to Galbo Group and sparked a deeper passion for real estate. Since then, he’s expanded his portfolio to include multi-family homes, additional commercial properties, warehouse spaces, and a property management firm. Tony’s entrepreneurial spirit has also led him into the restaurant business, proving that his “the sky is the limit” mindset knows no bounds.

Tony’s drive to succeed extends beyond business—he’s building a legacy for his family and team, instilling a belief that anything is possible. Tune in to hear how Tony’s fearless approach to business and life continues to push boundaries and inspire those around him.

Meet Jennifer Whitmarsh, a trailblazing entrepreneur with over 18 years of industry experience and the visionary behind Snappy Dry Cleaning. Jennifer’s path from working the front counter as a teenager to owning her own full-service cleaner is a masterclass in determination, leadership, and strategic growth.

Jennifer didn’t just open a dry cleaner—she built a brand rooted in exceptional customer service and trust. Certified in dry cleaning (yes, there’s a school for that!), Jennifer’s expertise extends beyond her own business. She now coaches other dry cleaners nationwide through The Route Pro’s, specializing in customer service and operational excellence.

Her leadership style is built on teamwork and empowerment. Jennifer believes in surrounding herself with talented people whose skills complement her own—creating a strong, customer-focused team that thrives. Her belief? "We’re not in the dry cleaning business—we’re in the customer service business… we just happen to help you clean up some messes at the same time.”

Jennifer’s journey from employee to industry expert is a blueprint for scaling a business while maintaining a strong company culture. Tune in to discover how Jennifer built a thriving business by putting relationships and service at the heart of her success.