Shows
This Week in the Mohawk ValleyTHIS WEEK IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY- RAY DURSO HAS A SPECIAL ROUNDTABLE CHAT WITH ONEIDA COUNTY EXECUTIVE TONY PICENTE, CITY OF ROME MAYOR JEFF LANIGAN AND CITY OF UTICA MAYOR MIKE GALIME PART 2Hosted by Ray Durso, President and CEO of The Genesis Group, This Week in the Mohawk Valley is a weekly show exploring what's going on across the Mohawk Valley.
2025-06-0724 minThis Week in the Mohawk ValleyTHIS WEEK IN THE MOHAWK VALLEY- RAY DURSO HAS A VERY SPECIAL ROUNDTABLE CHAT WITH ONEIDA COUNTY EXECUTIVE TONY PICENTE, ROME MAYOR JEFF LANIGAN AND CITY OF UTICA MAYOR MIKE GALIME PART 1Hosted by Ray Durso, President and CEO of The Genesis Group, This Week in the Mohawk Valley is a weekly show exploring what's going on across the Mohawk Valley.
2025-06-0723 min
Founder BreakthroughsThe Tech that’s Transforming Marketing – with Jeff Greenfield of ProvalyticsIt’s been a crazy couple of decades for marketing – especially with all the changes to the internet environment.We went from the wild west of the late 90’s – to performance based direct response in the first decade of the century – to social media, and then to peak data with cookies connecting every piece of data together.Then a single iPhone update brought it all crashing down.Today’s guest, Jeff Greenfield, has been working in the space throughout it all – and now he’s helping companies make the most of a post-cookie world.And...
2025-05-3058 min
The Tony DUrso Show - Journey to Success!Luke Peters started & ran a company that made nearly 9 Digits & Teaches How To Scale | Tony DUrsoLuke Peters started and ran a company that made nearly 9 digits in annual sales. He's been there, done that and knows your pain points. Luke is the former CEO of NewAir, a company he founded in 2001 and grew from a garage startup to a thriving business with over $600 million in cumulative sales. His journey began in Fountain Valley, California, where he learned the value of hard work while working in his family's donut shop for just 25 cents an hour. Under Luke's leadership, NewAir achieved significant milestones, including $80 million in sales in a single year and multiple placements...
2025-01-3159 min
Inside the Taubman Approach52: Jeff Nations on Teaching the Taubman Approach to Adult LearnersSend us a textFor more information on Jeff Nations visit: www.jeffnations.netBorn in Kyoto Japan and raised in North Carolina, pianist Jeff Nations began studying at the age of eight and playing professionally by the age of sixteen, performing in local establishments in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina.Actively competing by the age of twelve, he was the recipient of numerous awards, and by age 17 was the first prize winner in the Young Artist Competition held by the Raleigh Piano Teachers' Association. The next year he took first prize...
2024-11-1826 min
Buying Online Businesses Podcast2 x $10M + Business Exits & How To Overcome Common Entrepreneurial Blockages with Jeff DursoIn this another exciting episode of the Buying Online Businesses podcast, Jaryd chats with serial entrepreneur Jeff Durso, who has successfully exited two businesses worth over $10M each. With more than 20 launches under his belt and a ranking of #149 in the Inc. 500, Jeff shares his journey of selling these companies and the lessons he learned along the way. Jeff dives into the key differences between rushing a business exit and preparing for a strategic, well-planned exit. He talks candidly about his first business sale, the frustration of rushing through the process, and the hard lessons learned. Then...
2024-11-0635 minFounder BreakthroughsGo To Market - with Alex Kottoor of Dena Startup LabOver the years, as I’ve met hundreds of founders and talked about their challenges, I’ve often had this illusion that there are a million different problems holding startups back.But recently – as I really dug into it – I’ve realized that there is really 1 problem that defines whether or not a startup is going to go to the moon – or fizzle out and die.Today’s guest, Alex Kottoor has made a similar observation. The distinction is around whether or not you achieve product market fit or PMF.And the path to get...
2024-09-2749 minFounder BreakthroughsFounder Market Fit - with Shawn Miller of Inboundr.aiWe’ve talked quite a bit on the pod about Product Market Fit – and hammered home how critical that milestone is to the success or failure of any startup.But there’s an even more important factor that needs to be considered – and that’s founder market fit.Before starting his current venture, today’s guest, Shawn Miller, developed a deep understanding of the problem he wanted to solve through his own direct experiences. Not only does founder market fit make it easier to persevere when the going gets tough – it also makes sure you have th...
2024-09-1345 minFounder BreakthroughsThe Forrest Gump path through the startup world – with Lee Lorenzen of Altura VenturesToday’s episode features a conversation with Lee Lorenzen, a seasoned entrepreneur - and self proclaimed Forrest Gump of founders - who’s been building startups for over five decades. From mowing lawns as a kid to working at Xerox during its golden years of innovation, Lee has seen the tech industry evolve in some fascinating ways. In this conversation, we dive into: • How seeing the future at Xerox helped shape his entrepreneurial journey• Navigating major technology trends over the years• The tension between seeing the future and living in the present
2024-09-0652 minFounder BreakthroughsGetting to Critical Mass in a 2 Sided Marketplace - with Derreck Stratton of HUDUThe gig economy is booming, but there's still a gap when it comes to odd jobs and local services. Derreck Stratton, the founder of HUDU – who we first interviewed back in episode #2 – is looking to bridge that gap with an innovative platform. During our conversation, we talked about:· How Hudu is revolutionizing the way people find help for odd jobs and tasks· The challenges of building and scaling a two-sided marketplace· The importance of focusing on your core markets before rapid expansion· How AI is being integrated to make the user experienc...
2024-08-3054 min
How2Exit: Buy, Don't Build - M&A of Small BusinessesE240: Build, Scale, Exit: This is How Jeff Durso Did It. From .com to Inc 500About the Guest(s):Jeff Durso is a seasoned entrepreneur and startup veteran who has successfully founded and exited multiple companies. Graduating during the dawn of the .com era, Jeff has navigated the tech and startup world, creating notable companies like destinationweddings.com. Jeff’s expertise lies in understanding and executing product-market fit, leading innovative marketing strategies, and driving startups from inception to successful exits. Additionally, he hosts the "Founder Breakthroughs" podcast, where he dives into the entrepreneurial journeys of various founders. Summary:In this episode of the How2Exit podcast, host Ronald Skelton interviews Jeff Dur...
2024-08-2153 min
The Tony DUrso Show - Journey to Success!The Perfect Weapon! Jeff Speakman & Tony DUrso | Entrepreneur #fitness #motivation #sports #artistGrandmaster Jeff Speakman started his athletic career very early in life in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. Training and competing as a gymnast during the school year and as a springboard diver in the summer. He earned his black belt in Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate from legendary master Lou Angel in 1980 and then studied with legendary master Ed Parker as one of his last protégés. Jeff starred in 10 feature films such as "Perfect Weapon" (Paramount), "Street Knight" (Warner Bros.), "The Expert" (MGM) and "Escape from Atlantis" (Universal), and produced 3 of those films. He is inducted int...
2024-08-1652 minFounder BreakthroughsFrom Founder to Funder: Lessons in Pivoting, Perseverance, and Empowering Entrepreneurs – with Jessica Lynch of Raiz CapitalThe entrepreneurial journey is full of ups and downs, pivots and persistence. Our guest today has lived that roller coaster and is now helping other founders navigate it.Jessica Lynch is a tech founder turned investor, and during our conversation, we talked about:- How early entrepreneurial experiences, even failures, can plant the seeds for future success- The importance of customer discovery and market research before building a product- How to pivot a business model when faced with major external challenges- Navigating the emotional and practical...
2024-07-2644 minFounder BreakthroughsTurning Adversity into Inspiration – with Priya Tronsgard of EdifyLike all of us, today’s guest had to face the hardships brought on by the global pandemic in 2020 – one of which was having her children learn at home instead of in school.But for her and her kids, something peculiar happened – and they actually thrived in the online experience.She later learned that other parents and their kids did not, unfortunately, thrive to the same degree – and this led her to try to figure out what worked for her – and how she could share that. This inspired the creation of Edify – a tutor matchmaking service whic...
2024-02-2357 minFounder BreakthroughsFrom Marketplace to Community - with Katelyn Alberts of VERVERYThe startup journey is full of twists and turns – but it can also present new opportunities as you go down the path.Today’s guest, Katelyn Alberts started her journey with the idea of building a marketplace – and quickly transformed it into something even greater than that.During our talk, we covered some really timely topics for any founder:- How Katelyn, as a nontechnical founder, was able to navigate the tough question of whether to hire a tech team or recruit a tech founder – and how she discovered an even better approach.
2024-02-0942 min
Inside the FLX#469: Auburn Leader Says County Schools Are ComingAfter nearly two decades in the Auburn Enlarged City School District, Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo will retire in January. The announcement came earlier this month at a board of education meeting, in which he said it was time for new leadership. On Tuesday, Pirozzolo was in-studio, reflecting on a lengthy career in education, and the work ahead to guide the district through this transitional period.
2024-01-3047 minFounder BreakthroughsLessons from a 6 Exit Founder – with Mac Lackey of Exit DNAStarting and building companies is an amazing rollercoaster of ups and downs – and for many founders, achieving a successful exit at the end of the process is the ultimate goal.I’ve been fortunate enough to experience 2 major exits in my founder career – and I learned a ton from both of them. Today’s guest, Mac Lackey – has gone through a total of 6 major exits in his startup career.Starting out in the midst of the first web explosion of the mid-90’s, Mac quickly built and sold his first company – and has then learned how to capital...
2024-01-1240 minFounder BreakthroughsHow products go viral and scale to millions of users – with Vincent McPhillip from KnomadWe’ve all seen products over the years that fizzle out or go sideways – and other products in the same category that achieve explosive growth and quickly scale to millionsLikewise, we’ve seen companies enter red oceans with tons of competitors – only to quickly go viral there and dominate. Google did this in the crowded search space of 1998. Facebook did this to Myspace.But – how do they pull this off?I’m so excited to bring you today’s guest – Vince McPhillip. A trained social scientist and entrepreneur, he’s spent his career th...
2023-12-1551 minFounder BreakthroughsSaaS Sales Breakthrough Conversion – with Matt Wolach from ToroWaveIf you’re involved in selling – and especially B2B selling for a SaaS business, then you’re going to love today’s episode. In the last episode, we talked with Stephen Steers about how storytelling is important to sales. Today’s guest – Matt Wolach – shares a masterclass on another aspect of B2B sales that will help you massively increase your close rate.In sales, it can be tempting to share all of the unique features and bells and whistles of your product. Especially after you’ve spent to much care bringing it to life. But Matt explains ho...
2023-11-1748 min
Down Trails of VictoryS3 E6--Ronnie Thompson and Todd Dodge"Ooh...let's go...boom...boom...boom...Another one bites the dust!"--by Queen bassist John DeaconCoach Ronnie Thompson and quarterback Todd Dodge were football legends at Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School. Under Thompson's coaching genius, and Dodge's quarterbacking excellence, the #1-ranked Yellow Jackets rode the "Another One Bites the Dust" steamroller to a showdown with Odessa Permian in the 1980 State Finals.Thompson, known for his innovative offensive philosophy, is a 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson, and played on their 1960 district championship team along...
2023-10-291h 36Founder BreakthroughsSuperpower Storytelling – with Stephen SteersThere’s one skill that every founder has to master in order to build a successful startup.I’m talking – of course – about sales. But – there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what sales is and what it isn’t.Today’s guest – Stephen Steers – has mastered the art of Startup Sales and codified it into a method he calls Contact Sales.During our discussion, we talked about the importance of story – and why it’s critical to help your prospect see themselves in the story.We talked about how to eliminate the p...
2023-09-2941 minFounder BreakthroughsTaming the Startup Ecosystem – with Jonny BoyarskyThe modern startup ecosystem has been evolving for decades – since the evolution of Silicon Valley from farmland to the hardware companies of the 60’s and 70’s – to the modern tech startup space of today.But – even after all of these years, a founder looking for support can still feel like they’re living in the wild west. At the elite levels, accelerators like Y-Combinator and Techstars certainly offer transformational support. But outside of the top 1% or so – the rest of the space can be a bit confusing.Today’s guest, Jonny Boyarsky is looking to help f...
2023-09-0848 minFounder BreakthroughsStacking the Deck – how to improve your odds of luck in the startup game – with Vlad Mkrtumyan of Logic InboundWe’ve talked a lot on the podcast about the importance of asymmetric upside – or luck – in helping to drive entrepreneurial success.Today’s guest, Vlad Mkrtumyan, has made stacking the deck into a science in his ventures.In his first company, he launched an app featuring Drake quotes that got 2,000 downloads in week 1 - then he rinsed and repeated the process into hundreds of thousands of downloads.He then turned what he learned into a method he uses for evaluating and executing new opportunities to make sure he and his agency’s clients ar...
2023-08-1151 minFounder BreakthroughsFunding Breakthroughs – with Mike Mills and Nick Spoors of Infinitary FundEvery startup needs to make money – but some startups are architected with a much bigger purpose in mind.Today’s guests, Mike Mills and Nick Spoors of Infinitary Fund – have found a unique way to fund their mission.Their core innovation has enabled them to sell a product today that gives them cashflow and runway to build the business – while also funding a Think Tank that is going after some pretty amazing breakthroughs.Their runway business keeps the lights on – and their think tank enables them to shoot for the moon.I can’t ev...
2023-07-0747 minFounder BreakthroughsVision, Timing, and Execution - with Ace Bhattacharjya of MedicalRecords.comTiming is one of the hardest challenges for founders. Execute an idea too soon – and you’ll run out of runway before someone gets there when the time is right.Execute it too late – and you face still competition from the incumbent that got there first.Today’s guest, Ace Bhattacharjya of MedicalRecords.com gives us a masterclass on how to stay true to a timeless vision while also leveraging timing to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.Over 20 years, he’s built multiple successful iterations of the business – while also being po...
2023-06-231h 02Founder BreakthroughsRemoving Friction from the Funding Ecosystem - with Stephane Nasser of OpenVCOne of the common themes I see with top entrepreneurs is that they find a way to get experience from multiple viewpoints within the startup ecosystem.Today’s guest, Stephane Nasser of Open VC is no exception – having had stints from the large corporate world building software for startups, then working within accelerators to help startups get launched, then – of course – working as an entrepreneur, and finally landing in the venture capital side of the world.During our talk, we did a lot of deep dives around all of these angles while also pulling out the comm...
2023-05-2645 minFounder BreakthroughsFinding Your Entrepreneurial Superpower - with Peter Mann of OransiToday’s guest, Peter Mann, found out that he had autism in a late diagnosis as an adult. But – buried in this so called diagnosis was actually the operator’s manual for his supersuit.While working a full time 8-5 at Dell, Peter was able work another 8 hours per day launching his first side hustle – and he was able to find flow and focus throughout these long days.What might be exhausting or cause burnout for others – actually lit Peter up with motivation and purpose.Over several decades, he has turned this drive into multi...
2023-04-2149 minFounder BreakthroughsFrom Nightclub Owner to Founder & Investor - with Shaun Gold of OpenVCThere are a lot of paths into the world of entrepreneurship, but today’s guest has one of the most fascinating ones I’ve found yet. While running a popular Miami nightclub, Shaun Gold had front row seats to a parade of some very interesting and diverse people. By being curious – and making connections – Shaun built a network that would take him on a whirlwind through the entrepreneur world. From startup founder, to investor, to the world of Hollywood and screenplays, and even a stint on jeopardy – Shaun’s ability to connect with varied people have taken him on some p...
2023-03-3158 minFounder BreakthroughsThe Startup View from the Dean - with Elad Granot of Boler CollegeI’ve gotten to talk with a lot of amazing founders on the show over the past 6 months.In today’s episode, I had the chance to speak to an expert with a unique vantage-point and mix of experiences.Elad Granot is a serial entrepreneur, the Dean of the Boler College of Business at John Carroll University, an active investor in startups, and also host of the Bottom Line podcast.From his unique vantage-point as the dean of a business school – and an investor – Elad is able to keep his pulse on what upcoming...
2023-03-1447 minFounder BreakthroughsUpgrading the Experience for a $43 billion industry - with David Brown of SellStuffOne of the themes that keeps re-appearing on the show is that industries that look like they have been locked down for years or even decades – can suddenly go through a renaissance and lead to a new jump ball.Today’s guest is taking advantage of a massive shift that’s happening in the online selling space.As influencers flock to sell items on the multiple prominent marketplaces, they’re stuck with the challenge of managing listing across 4 or 5 networks for every product they sell.With SellStuff, David Brown is building a platform...
2023-03-1042 minFounder BreakthroughsRe-inventing Transport - with Zach Castaneda and Steven White of ShofeurIt’s easy for founders to look at an industry and think that you’ve already missed the boat. I could have done this with travel in 2003 and missed the destination wedding trend – and it would be easy to conclude that ride management has already been won by Uber and Lyft.But today’s guests – Zach Castaneda and Steven White are approaching the transport space with a unique spin that is starting to catch waves. As industries mature, they leave holes for new entrants – and that’s exactly what Zach and Steven see in transport.Their company...
2023-02-2444 minFounder BreakthroughsFinding Your Trinity Moment - How 10x Innovations Can Change the WorldOn July 16, 1945 at 5:29 am – the world changed.Up until that point – there was strong theory supporting the idea that enormous amount of energy could be unleashed by splitting an atom.At 5:29 on that day – that theory became indisputable reality – and the world was never the same.That test on July 16, 1945 was code named Trinity – and today we’re going to talk about how founders can pursue their own Trinity moment in their startup – and how this type of nuclear demonstration can give them huge momentum.
2023-02-1708 minFounder BreakthroughsAutomating Coaching with Artificial Intelligence - with Rachel Cossar, co-founder of Virtual SapiensFor most startups, the main task of launch and validation is to figure out if the market has any interest in the idea at all – and if it’s possible to gain traction. Today’s guest, Rachel Cossar – took a different approach. She was already operating a successful coaching practice helping her clients optimize nonverbal cues during sales calls.She knew this process was valuable - but her question was – could it be automated through technology and AI? We had a fascinating conversation about how this question led to the formation of Virtual Sapiens – and how she has b...
2023-02-0344 minFounder BreakthroughsHow Founders can maximize their future Exit - with Todd Sullivan of ExitWiseTodd Sullivan is co-founder and CEO of ExitWise. After building and exiting a series of his own companies, Todd now helps founders plan and maximize their own exits when the time is right.During our talk, we covered:- How solving your own burning need can be the best launchpad for a startup- How decisions you make now can set you up for a strategic acquisition later down the road- The dangers of depending too much on someone else’s ecosystem – and how to mitigate them- The importance of ti...
2023-01-2749 minFounder BreakthroughsThe Future of Education Technology - with Dr. Michael ConnellOne morning just over 11 years ago, I met up with my friend Dr. Michael Connell in a Panera to talk about a startup idea he was working on in the education space.He told me about a groundbreaking research study that had been done during the 90’s that could have revolutionized how children learn math – but how previous attempts to deliver it at scale had failed to move the needle.During our breakfast, we pondered whether the newly introduced iPad could create an opportunity to take a new approach to bringing the research to life.
2023-01-2048 minFounder BreakthroughsRemoving Friction through Integration - with Akash Magoon, Co-Founder of AdonisAkash Magoon's company Adonis is innovating the healthcare billing space – hoping to reduce enough friction so it feels much more like stripe than what patients and providers have to deal with today.We hit a lot of great topics today:- How having a strong relationship with your co-founder can set the stage for candor in your startup- How healthcare space has changed in the past 10 years – and how to approach a space once the low hanging fruit has been picked- How the proliferation of best of breed point solutions can cr...
2023-01-0648 minFounder BreakthroughsFinding Your "Hell Yeah!" - with Matthew Turner, Author of Beyond the PaleMatthew Turner is the author of the book Beyond the Pale. In writing his book, he interviewed over 100 founders to learn how they found balance in their lives as entrepreneurs. We talked about:- The downside of so called hustle culture – and why founders should try to avoid it- How founders can tap into the creation vortex – to drive their best ideas- How sometimes skills we take for granted are actually super valuable to our customers- The right way to frame mistakes so you can make the most learning from...
2022-12-3055 minFounder BreakthroughsHow Founders can Build a Portfolio of Startups - with David Sorbara from BarkleyHQDavid Sorbara is the founder of Barkley HQ – a software as a service product that helps pet groomers run their businesses.I learned so much from David – not just about his experiences growing Barkley HQ into a successful business – but also in how he is working to take his experience to launch even more businesses now – all while continuing to benefit from BarkleyHQ.During our talk, we discussed:- Why some businesses still use pen & paper to operate – and how this spells opportunity for startup founders- How making your customers customers look goo...
2022-12-2339 min
The Wise ExitIn M&A, Time Is Not Your Friend | Jeff DursoE16: Today I have a special guest, fellow podcaster and serial entrepreneur with multiple exits under his belt, Jeff Durso. Jeff is a Massachusetts native who after attending MIT, sold his first business at the height of the internet bubble in 2000. We'll hear how a strategic partner can turn into an acquirer without any notice and how a well-timed silence during the subsequent negotiation with that buyer was worth an extra $1 million to Jeff. On his second exit, Jeff describes the incredible hurdles he and his team overcame to get multiple investors in. With signatures in place t...
2022-12-2138 minFounder BreakthroughsNavigating the Founder Career Path - with Mark HerschbergMark Herschberg - has worn many hats in his career including Founder, Chief Technology officer, Author, and Instructor at MIT.A lot of episodes have focused on the startup, today we went deep on the path and growth of the founder behind the startup.We talked about:- How the startup world presents challenges differently than how you were trained in the past- A great method for modeling a problem so you can then figure out how to solve it- The open ended nature of startups – and of the career...
2022-12-1649 min
Finger Lakes TodayFinger Lakes Today: Thursday, December 15, 2022On the Thursday, December 15, 2022 episode of Finger Lakes Today, hosts Josh Durso and Nate Sharman prepare you for the day! Josh provides an update to the winter storm system due to hit the region today. Josh and Nate look at the biggest headlines of the day, including the results of the Fishers Fire District election and the Republicans in Waterloo endorsing a new mayoral candidate. Rebecca Swift recently talked with Shana Carter of the Tobacco Coalition of the Finger Lakes and we have that interview. Josh spoke with Jeff Pirozzolo, the Superintendent of Schools for Auburn. The two discussed the...
2022-12-1547 minFinger Lakes TodayFinger Lakes Today: Friday, December 9, 2022On this episode of Finger Lakes Today hosts Jim Sinicropi and Sydney Radka spoke with VP of Content Josh Durso, to talk about the latest headlines around the region. Jeff Rook and Kevin Korzeniewski, the organizers of It's a Wonderful Run 5K were in stufio to talk about It's a Wonmderful Weekend in Seneca Falls. Today's episode also featured a "What's Cooking" segment where Jim cooked his famous Vegetarian Chili.
2022-12-091h 17Founder BreakthroughsRe-inventing Software - with John Rush of MarsXEvery few years, there is a massive shift in the tools and platforms available to founders who are building out their dreams. On this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with John Rush, the Founder of Mars X – which is a new development platform that is reinventing how software gets developed.We discussed a lot of great insights during our chat:- The dangers of building a startup without getting active customer feedback – and how this can waste years of time- Why you need to talk with customers to figure out which proble...
2022-12-0954 minFounder BreakthroughsHow Founders can Master the Inner GameThere is a missing ingredient from all of the advice, strategies, tactics, and approaches given to founders on how to build their company. Today we dive deep into that missing ingredient:The Inner game – and why it’s so critical to founder successWhy most advice given to founders always focuses on activities and neglects the most important ingredientHow founders can build their inner gameHow to kickstart your inner game – and how to use it to crash through milestones and challenges as they arise
2022-12-0214 minFounder BreakthroughsBegin with the Exit in Mind - with Josh WilkinsonOn this episode, we're joined by expert marketer Josh Wilkinson to share insights on how founders can master the art of marketing to launch and grow their startups. During our talk, we discussed:- How marketing applies at every stage of the venture – from startup to growth and exit- A process called ends to the middle marketing that helps you clarify your positioning- How to strategically pitch your company to an acquirer - And how marketing applies not only to your customers – but to firms that can eventually help you exit- The cl...
2022-11-2551 minFounder BreakthroughsBreakthroughs in Online Learning - with Jake PressThe online course space is exploding - but it's created a massive gap where video quality has made it into the 21st century, but we're still stuck using antiquated tools to do the exercises and learn the material. Jake Press is founder of Workbookable.com - a company that is looking to fill this gap and help bring the entire online learning experience into the 21st century.
2022-11-1855 minFounder BreakthroughsFounders FindIn this episode, I explore the 2 main ways businesses create value - and how startups often fail because they focus on the wrong mechanism. Large companies make money through exploitation - or maximizing value of what they've already discovered. Startups that try to exploit before they've properly explored get into serious trouble - or never leave the launchpad.
2022-11-1115 minFounder BreakthroughsYour 5 Second Pitch - with Sam DursoLast week Sam & I talked about the challenge founders face when they try to get feedback on their startup idea. This episode, we peel back deeper to talk about how founders can actually start getting better feedback - and how they can make sure they are able to create a killer pitch for their idea.
2022-11-0434 minFounder BreakthroughsWhen startup founders ask for advice - why does everyone tell them what they want to hear? - with Sam DursoI interview my brother and business partner Sam Durso about the challenges founders face right now in the current funding environment. We talk about how easy it is for founders to get bad advice - and how this sends them down the wrong path. We also cover how founders often invest an enormous amount of time and effort building something that they could have validated much easier - and finally, we talk about an approach you can take instead.
2022-10-2841 minFounder BreakthroughsWhy Breakthroughs Beat Optimization - with Ayman Sharaiha of AltibbiLast episode, we talked about how "luck" is created by consistent testing and experimentation - and how this leads to the big breakthroughs in business. Today's guest executed this plan to build the largest digital health care provider in the middle east. By running repeated experiments with multiple niches - he's been able to build his business from 0 to 5,000 consultations per day.
2022-10-2142 minFounder BreakthroughsIt's All About LuckIn the ongoing debate about what factor most contributes to startup success - between "Luck" and everything else, we settle the debate with some bad news (Spoiler Alert: It's all about luck). But, then we go on to talk about how once you accept that "it's all about luck" - you can focus on maximizing the amount of luck you experience in your startup.
2022-10-1414 minFounder BreakthroughsYour Customer's Biggest Problem - with Z. Michael Miranda of OpTonalLast episode, we first talked about the subject of fundraising - and introduced a framework for understanding fundability. Today's guest, Mike Miranda, started his company during the pandemic with a great idea - but later discovered an even more valuable idea when interviewing his customers for feedback. By focusing on his customers' biggest problem - he was able to develop a more relevant MVP - and successfully complete a $2m+ fundraise for his startup.
2022-10-0740 minFounder BreakthroughsBecoming Un-UnfundableToday, we look at the age old question, "should I raise money, or not?" and reframe it into a hierarchy that goes from Unfundable, to Fundable, to a secret level called "Un-Unfundable". Once you understand the difference among these levels, you can decide at each phase whether your best move is to focus on fundraising, building, or both.
2022-09-3011 minFounder BreakthroughsFlipping the Script on the Gig Economy - with Derreck Stratton of HUDUMarc Andreesen famously gave his chilling prediction on the gig economy, saying that in the future "either you'll be telling the API what to do, or the API will be telling you what to do." Today's guest, Derreck Stratton, takes a fresh perspective on the gig economy - and he's building HUDU to put the power into the hands of gig economy workers.
2022-09-2341 minFounder BreakthroughsThe Power of "Why"One of the single biggest levers that determines whether a startup is going to succeed or fail is the depth of its "Why". In this inaugural episode of Founder Breakthroughs, I peel back the layers on how "Why" impacts a startup's trajectory through some stories of where Why made a difference.
2022-09-1611 min
The Tony Durso ShowThe Tony Durso Show, August 30, 2022Unlocking Your Potential with Jeff Lerner & Tony DUrso
From broke jazz musician to $50 million in online sales, Jeff Lerner’s story and message are now inspiring millions.
After a decade of building multiple online businesses to over 8 figures and twice landing on the Inc. 5000, Jeff turned his focus to educating and inspiring entrepreneurs about the power of digital business.
Please share with someone you believe would be helped by this episode.
Looking for guidance & wisdom to help you in your life, career & business? I interview some of the most successful people in the world, whom I call Elite Entrepreneurs.
They share...
2022-08-3148 min
The Tony DUrso Show - Journey to Success!Unlocking Your Potential with Jeff Lerner & Tony DUrsoFrom broke jazz musician to $50 million in online sales, Jeff Lerner's story and message are now inspiring millions. After a decade of building multiple online businesses to over 8 figures and twice landing on the Inc. 5000, Jeff turned his focus to educating and inspiring entrepreneurs about the power of digital business. In 2018, he founded ENTRE Institute where over 50,000 students have discovered digital business. He is now regarded as one of the most inspirational voices online in business and personal development. Listen to The Tony DUrso Show on VoiceAmerica Influencers Platform every Friday at 2pm Pacific or listen on Apple Podcasts or...
2022-08-191h 03Founder BreakthroughsFounder Breakthroughs - TrailerIntroducing the Founder Breakthroughs podcast - where every week, serial entrepreneur Jeff Durso interviews founders to hear their amazing stories and glean insights that can help other founders achieve success.
2022-08-1000 min
Evolvepreneur® Secrets for Entrepreneurs Show With Shelby OlyschlagerS02:04 [Jeff Durso] Bringing Them Back Into The Garage Welcome to the Evolvepreneur Secrets Show
Join me today where we dig deep with our guests and get you the best concepts and strategies to fast-track your business.
My very special guest today is Jeff Durso ...
Jeff is a serial entrepreneur with 15+ launches, two $10m+ acquisitions, and a #149 placement on the Inc 500 list of fastest growing companies in the US. In addition to launching his own ventures, now he coaches startup founders to unlock higher levels of scale.
About The Show
Evolvepreneur Secrets Show for Entrepreneurs features guest stories ab...
2022-07-1227 min
The Exit - Presented By FlippaWhat's in a Name with Jeff DursoToday we are talking with Jeff Durso, the co-founder of Blitzr, a one-on-one conversations platform. Graduating from MIT just as the internet was being created, Jeff benefited greatly from the dot-com boom. With an exit to the tune of $10million, he was just getting started. Being a part of several startups, Jeff has plenty of knowledge to share and does so through a Startup Mastermind group.
Down The Rabbit Hole
It was the late 70s, early 80s, and arcades were all the rage. Growing up, Jeff remembers seeing Pong when he was little and thinking it was the coolest thing...
2022-02-0731 min
Inside the FLXINSIDE THE FLX: Jeff Shipley on Seneca County TourismTed Baker is joined in studio by Jeff Shipley, President and CEO of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce. They discuss being the official tourism promotion agency for Seneca County, the challenges of being a big county when it comes to tourism and effects from the 2021 It's a Wonderful Life Festival. Ted and Jeff also discuss 2021 and where the tourist came from, the rebound from 2020 and looking ahead to 2022 and what is in store for Seneca County tourism.
2021-12-2834 min
Office Free Entrepreneurs#016 Jeff Durso - From MIT To Founder - Turning Ideas Into Execution At A SuperHuman PaceThis episode was a really fun one. Jeff and I have been friends for a couple of years now and instantly hit it off. He built and sold a giant operation in the wedding planning space on top of being the classic "inventor on steroids" that we all mythologize in business.
Jeff really did build things in his garage. He's built and sold companies successfully and as he'll share with you, failed countless times as well.
If you've ever wanted to found a business that makes a huge dent in the world, Jeff is someone...
2021-06-041h 07
The Debrief PodcastNY-131 DEBATE: Jeff Gallahan & Matt MillerOn Tuesday FingerLakes1.com hosted a live-streamed debate between two candidates for New York State Assembly District 131. The district, which includes Ontario and Seneca counties has had a single representative for two decades. At the conclusion of 2020, Assemblyman Brian Kolb will retire, and could be succeeded by Democrat Matt Miller or Republican Jeff Gallahan.
Miller and Gallahan will debated the issues inside the FingerLakes1.com Studio in Seneca Falls. It was moderated by FingerLakes1.com News Director Josh Durso.
The debate was sponsored by Midey Mirras & Ricci, the Finger Lakes Personal Injury Attorneys.
2020-10-2152 min
This ExtraOrdinary LifeA Conversation About Conversations with Jeff DursoToday’s guest is Jeff Durso, a serial entrepreneur with more than 15 launches. He is the co-founder of Blitzr. He is also the President of Native Britain, the parent company of an e-learning application for mathematics with almost 600,000 learners. Jeff’s experience with entrepreneurship enables him to help visionaries turn big ideas into high-growth opportunities.
The theme of this week’s show is that conversation begets connection, and connection begets community. Our conversations have the potential to be profound and life-changing in the simplest of ways. Within the last 50 years our means of communication have advanced tremendously; this enables us to have...
2020-09-221h 05
Inside the FLX#240: Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo talks Auburn City School DistrictWhat's next for school districts across New York State? That's the question administrators like Superintendent Jeff Pirozzolo are considering as they stare down uncertainty in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. He leads the Auburn City School District and was in-studio talking about prospective plans for his schools, and how students and faculty could be impacted.
2020-06-2327 min
FL1 NewsroomREPUBLICAN PRIMARY DEBATE: 131st Assembly DistrictThis week FingerLakes1.com live-streamed a debate between the four candidates involved in June's Republican Primary in the 131st District. That seat, which has been held by Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) will be vacated at the end of the year. The primary contest is between Manchester Town Supervisor Jeff Gallahan, Former Canandaigua City Councilor Cindy Wade, Seneca County Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Shipley, and Seneca County Farm Bureau President Ann Marie Heizmann. Like all candidates running for elected office in 2020 - they have had to deal with the unconventional reality of campaigning during a pandemic. While three of...
2020-05-2854 min
DadAwesomeSlingshot Surrender & Planted Like a Palm Tree (Jordan Durso)dadAWESOME We're on a mission to add LIFE to the dad life. We're passionate about helping dads live fully alive as they lead their kids to God's awesomeness. Thanks for helping us reach more dads by passing along these resources: Subscribe to the dadAWESOME YouTube channel Text a few other dads and encourage them to check out www.dadawesome.org and subscribe to the podcast Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Join dadAWESOME Daily – Simply text "dad" to 77222 to begin receiving a daily text message with prayers, Bible verses, dad tips & other fatherhood inspiration. ...
2020-05-2142 minInside the FLX#228: American history in Auburn, New YorkThe Seward House in Auburn, New York is an historic landmark. It's a space that serves a major role in local history, as well as American history. The Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19 has made running a museum and local landmark a challenge, but those who carry on the legacy haven't given up. Jeff Ludwig, who leads the educational effort at the facility catches up with Josh Durso on Inside the FLX to discuss it all.
2020-04-0418 minInside the FLX#219: Jeff Gallahan for New York State AssemblyManchester Town Supervisor Jeff Gallahan was the first Republican to enter the race to succeed longtime Assemblyman Brian Kolb in the 131st District. On episode #219 of the Inside the FLX podcast, he goes in-depth on the issues, as we take a closer look at his campaign to represent the heart of the Finger Lakes in Albany.
2020-02-2832 minInside the FLX#216: Jeff Shipley for New York State AssemblyJeff Shipley is running for New York State Assembly. The president and CEO of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce announced his candidacy on February 18th and since then, has been actively campaigning ahead of the petition signing process. Shipley visited the FingerLakes1.com Studio to discuss his campaign, the issues he feels most-important for the region, and how he would legislate if selected by Republican voters in June's primary.
2020-02-2129 min
The FilmSurvivor PodcastEp76 - Interview with filmmaker Jeff Lipsky, writer/director of THE LAST - 7/22/19Interview with Jeff Lipsky, writer/director of the film, THE LAST, coming to The Maple Theater in Detroit 8/2/19 thru 8/8/19 (and playing elsewhere across the country in select cities).
Q&A with Jeff Lipsky to be held at The Maple Theater on 8/2, 8/3, and 8/4.
For Tickets, visit: www.TheMapleTheater.com
THE LAST:
The survivors of four generations of a Jewish family are rocked to their core when the family's 92-year-old matriarch makes a stunning confession. Starring: Rebecca Schull, Reed Birney, AJ Cedeno, Jill Durso, Julie Fain Lawrence.
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2019-07-2200 minThe Tony DUrso Show - Journey to Success!City Gala Red Carpet Interviews with Wesley Snipes...City Gala Red Carpet Interviews with Wesley Snipes, Frank Shankwitz, Dr. Bill Dorfman, Lynn Rose… Episode Description Join Tony DUrso at the annual City Summit & Gala in Burbank honoring Colin Farrell as he gets Red Carpet Interviews with Wesley Snipes, Frank Shankwitz, Dr. Bill Dorfman, Lynn Rose, Allison Larsen, Chris Salem, Christian Ganiere, David Corbin, Forest Harper, Isabel Donadio, Jeff Hoffman, Mike Packman, Randy Morgan, Ryan Long, Stephanie Valencia, and Steve Cederquist. City Gala is a fundraiser for non-profit organizations that have a mission to solve global challenges. Each year, the Gala raises funds for organizations that are feeding the hu...
2019-03-1545 min
Planning Made SimpleFacing the Blitz with Jeff KempDo you have any obstacles you need to overcome? Who doesn’t, right? Jeff Kemp, former NFL quarterback and author of Facing the Blitz believes that we can turn obstacles into opportunities. With society’s ever-growing focus on financial investments, let’s pause today to take a look at investing in relationships! Jeff has figured out how to apply what he learned playing football into building stronger relationships, growing businesses, and cultivating leaders. He does this with a faith-based approach. Using the acronym LIFT – Life Is For Transformation, Jeff will compellingly share with you the heart of his Facing the Blitz stra...
2018-12-1551 min