Shows
Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawEmpire State Entrepreneurs: Season 2 Best OfAs Season Two comes to a close, Empire State Entrepreneurs takes a step back to reflect on the conversations, insights, and moments that defined the past nine episodes.This special best-of episode brings together standout clips, along with several never-before-heard moments, from business owners, creatives, technologists, and community leaders who shared candid perspectives on building, protecting, and growing businesses in New York State.From the evolving role of AI in traditionally conservative professions, to the parallels between entrepreneurship and filmmaking, to hard-earned lessons about passion, purpose, and sustainability, these conversations highlight the realities behind success—no...
2026-02-0312 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawMichael Serotte of Serotte LawIn this episode of Empire State Entrepreneurs, host David Rupp sits down with longtime friend and renowned immigration attorney Michael Serotte, founding partner of Serotte Law. Known for his deep expertise in business immigration and an entrepreneurial approach to law, Michael shares the remarkable story behind building one of the country’s most respected immigration practices—right from Buffalo, NY.Michael’s path wasn’t traditional. From accounting to entrepreneurship to mountaineering, his story is driven by curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to bet on himself. He talks candidly about getting fired from early legal jobs, discovering immigrat...
2025-12-0249 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawTricia Barrett of Crowley WebbTricia Barrett is the Chief Executive Officer at Crowley Webb and Praxis. Recognized in Business First’s Power 200 (ranked as high as #62), she serves on boards including United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Buffalo Prep, and the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. A Buffalo native, she studied communications at John Carroll University, and once completed a semester at sea on a 134-foot sailboat.Highlights includeBuffalo beginnings & education: Elmwood Franklin, Buffalo Seminary, Williamsville South; communications at John Carroll; life-changing Semester at Sea.Early career in advertising: Client service at The Wolf Group (Cleveland & Rochester), working on Dirt De...
2025-11-0447 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawJohn Osberg of WNY PGAIn this episode of the Empire State Entrepreneurs: New York Business Law Podcast, host David Pfalzgraf welcomes longtime friend and community leader John Osberg - entrepreneur, endurance athlete, growth strategist, and current Director of Development & Partnerships for the PGA of America – Western New York Section.John’s story is anything but linear. From unexpected opportunities in Buffalo’s early startup scene to founding his own consulting firm and now advancing golf’s role in community engagement, John shares the lessons of grit, resilience, and open-mindedness that shaped his path.The conversation touches on:Lessons learned...
2025-10-071h 09Empire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawSam Marrazzo of Buffalo Niagara Medical CampusIn this episode, David sits down with Sam Marrazzo, Chief Innovation Officer at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) and adjunct professor at UB School of Management.They cover Sam’s remarkable career journey, from immigrating from Calabria, serving in the U.S. Navy, and leading R&D at Praxair, to becoming a champion of Buffalo’s startup and innovation community. Sam highlights real-world examples of startups that thrived with BNMC support, the qualities he looks for in entrepreneurs, and how he helps business leaders embrace technology and AI.Listeners will also hear how...
2025-09-0245 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawColleen Heidinger and Pete Grum of 43NorthThe 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 Highlights0:01:30 – David Pfalzgraf welcomes listeners to Year 2 of the podcast and introduces guests Colleen Heidinger and Pete Grum.0:05:10 – Pete Grum reflects on his path to Buffalo, career at Rand...
2025-08-0544 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawPeter McGennis, Multi-Media StorytellerIn 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 evolution as a filmmaker and creative entrepreneur. Along the way, Pete shares life lessons on adversity, creative risk, community-building, and why time - and jo...
2025-07-0150 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawBrian Higgins of Shea's Performing Arts CenterBrian 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 EducationBorn and raised in South Buffalo, the second youngest of...
2025-06-0344 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawMike Latvis of Harmonic Resolution SystemsThe 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 BrandMike shares how his teenage obsession with music and turntables led him to engineer audio systems...
2025-05-0644 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawTony Rupp and Steve PolandTony 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 early interests in programming and entrepreneurship.How a mutual appreciation...
2025-04-0146 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawNick Ennis and Max Montante of Mind Over FoundationThere 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 to share insights- Dealing with intense tragedy- Fi...
2025-03-0446 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawDr. Leonard Kaplan of OWM Integrative WellnessDr. 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 over traditional medicine- Why Chicago?- Military service and medicine- Deciding b...
2025-02-0445 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawDavid Schutte of Schutte Hospitality GroupIf 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- Experiencing NYC- The Rainbow Room- Learning a true commitment to q...
2025-01-0736 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawStuart Green from Braymiller MarketIn 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 Undercover Boss theory- Learning to work with someone who is rooted in your n...
2024-12-0341 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawEvan Giokas and CJ Montante from MGM CoachingEvan 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 include:- Starting as the College Confidence Coach - Bad golf and good times- Networking p...
2024-11-0546 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawNagendra Raina of Buffalo GamesOne 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 fastest...
2024-10-0135 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawMike Wisler of M&T BankAs 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 reason- The significance and impact of c...
2024-09-0336 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawJamie Obletz of Delaware NorthJamie 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 schoolWorking at J.P. MorganThe marathon weeks of investment bankingAdvocating for yourself (Taking matters into your own hands) The Risk JourneyTurning relationships into opportunitiesComing home and starting newThe value of establishing y...
2024-08-0646 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawSharon Cryan of FoodNerdOn 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 a shift in focus can help your child - and even you! realign your journey to healthy eating.
2024-07-0943 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawFrank Ewing of AML RightsourceFrank 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 episode, host David Pfalzgraf takes a swift journey with Frank, discussing his upbringing in upstate...
2024-06-0433 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawJuweria Dahir of Buffalo Niagara Medical CampusJuweria 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 humble upbringing prepared her to be an advocate for the communities she works ceaselessly to service.Highlights include:...
2024-05-0747 minEmpire State Entrepreneurs: NY Business LawJohn Gavigan of CrediVaultJohn 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. Highlights include:- The relationship between Rupp Pfalzgraf and 43North- The state of change and competition ...
2024-04-0244 min
WNY EntrepreneurFourth Largest Law Firm Helping Local Businesses-David Pfalzgraf Jr - Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf CunninghamHave You Ever Thought About Having a Lawyer in Your Business Corner? But Were Kind of Intimated By That?
I know was I was intimidated.
My thoughts were:
- I'm too small of company. Why Would I need one?
- I'm afraid I'm going to get this bill just for having coffee with one.
- They are probably super expensive. I can't afford one.
- Why do I need one if I'm not getting sued or having any legal trouble?
- Why would I even entertain the idea of...
2022-03-2831 min