Episode 5 Raisa Zhovklaya: Fueling a Franchise: Health as a Business Model

Episode 11 Joseph Dougherty: The Business of Homeownership | Why Waiting Costs More Than You Think

For many people, homeownership feels further away than ever. Rising home prices, higher interest rates, and constant headlines about the housing market have left many would-be buyers sitting on the sidelines. But what if waiting is actually costing you more? In this episode of Standing on Business, Joseph Dougherty, VP of Lending at CrossCountry Mortgage, breaks down the realities of today's housing market and shares why many people are closer to homeownership than they think. With more than two decades in the mortgage industry, Joe explains how financing strategies, preparation, and the right team can help buyers compete in a fast-moving market. We also discuss common misconceptions about interest rates, first-time homebuyer mistakes, investment properties, and why trying to time the market is often the wrong move. Beyond mortgages, this conversation is about trust, relationships, and helping people make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives with confidence. Topics covered: * Why waiting to buy a home may cost more than you think * First-time homebuyer advice and common mistakes * The reality of today's interest rates * How to compete in a competitive housing market * Investment properties and building wealth through real estate * Syracuse's growing real estate market and the Micron effect * Mortgage myths and misconceptions * Leadership, mentorship, and building high-performing teams * Why trust is the foundation of the mortgage business Whether you're thinking about buying your first home, expanding a real estate portfolio, or simply trying to understand where the market is headed, this episode provides practical insights from someone who's spent 24 years helping people navigate the homeownership journey. 🎙️ Standing on Business Available on all podcast platforms. Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful businesses across Central New York and beyond.

Episode 10 Sara Schiavone: Creating Success On Your Own Terms | Building a Career That Fits Your Life

What if success wasn’t about climbing the ladder as fast as possible? What if it was about building a career that actually supports the life you want to live? In this episode of Standing on Business, Sara Schiavone shares her journey into real estate, the lessons she's learned along the way, and why she believes alignment matters more than chasing someone else's definition of success. We discuss the realities of building a career in real estate, creating flexibility and freedom through entrepreneurship, and the importance of designing a life that reflects your priorities rather than letting work dictate them. Sara also shares insights on relationships, networking, serving clients well, and how authenticity has helped her build trust in a people-first industry. Topics covered: * Building a career around your life instead of the other way around * What success really means in different seasons of life * The realities of working in real estate * Creating flexibility and freedom through entrepreneurship * Building relationships and trust in a people-driven business * Networking, personal branding, and community involvement * Taking ownership of your future This conversation is a reminder that success isn't one-size-fits-all. The best career might not be the one that pays the most or looks the most impressive—it might be the one that allows you to live the life you actually want. 🎙️ Standing on Business Available on all podcast platforms. Subscribe for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, operators, and leaders building meaningful businesses across Central New York and beyond.

Episode 9 Ashlee Fiorini: Why People Need Third Spaces Again | How Fitness Became More Than a Workout

After COVID, people weren’t just looking for workouts anymore. They were looking for connection. In this episode of Standing on Business, Ashlee Fiorini shares the story behind Pulse Lagree Fitness and how she turned a series of pop-up classes into one of Syracuse’s newest boutique fitness studios. From hauling machines in a U-Haul across Central New York to building a thriving community around wellness, this conversation is about betting on yourself before the vision fully exists. We talk about: * Why “third spaces” matter more than ever * The rise of boutique fitness and community-driven experiences * Building a business from pop-ups and word of mouth * Returning to Syracuse after living in Boston and Nashville * Leadership, culture, and creating authentic customer experiences * Community over competition in Central New York * How fitness can completely change your lifestyle and mindset Ashlee also opens up about how Lagree helped pull her out of an unhealthy season of life and reignited her passion for wellness, discipline, and purpose. This episode is about more than fitness. It’s about creating places where people feel connected, supported, and part of something bigger than themselves. 🎙️ Standing on Business Available on all podcast platforms.

Episode 8 Jeff Deloff: Where Craft Meets Chaos | The Truth About the Restaurant Industry

The restaurant industry looks polished from the outside. On the inside, it’s constant pressure, unpredictability, and problem solving in real time. In this episode of Standing on Business, Jeff Deloff, chef and owner of Touche in Syracuse, breaks down what it actually takes to build and run a restaurant. From starting as a dishwasher to leading a full concept built around whole-animal butchery and local sourcing, Jeff shares the reality behind the craft. We talk about slim margins, cash flow challenges, and why this is one of the most unforgiving industries to operate in. Jeff dives into the importance of systems, working with local farmers, adapting to what you have, and building a business that reflects your values instead of chasing trends. This conversation goes beyond food. It’s about discipline, adaptability, leadership, and embracing chaos while still executing at a high level. Topics covered: * Why the restaurant industry is so unpredictable * From dishwasher to owner-operator * Whole-animal butchery and local sourcing * The reality of margins and cash flow * Building systems vs chasing trends * Leadership, delegation, and team culture * Hospitality and creating real experiences 🎙️ Standing on Business Watch or listen on all podcast platforms.

Episode 7 Dan Goldberg: The Habit That Changes Everything | Keeping the Promises You Make

Most people don’t struggle with knowing what to do. They struggle with doing what they said they would do. In this episode of Standing on Business, Dan Goldberg of Syracuse Sweat Club breaks down the habit that impacts every area of your life and business: keeping the promises you make to yourself. We dive into discipline, self-integrity, and the gap between intention and execution. Dan shares how building a business, leading a team, and maintaining personal health all come back to one core principle — doing the work, even when it’s inconvenient. From leaving law school to pursue a meaningful career, to building and evolving a fitness business through multiple industry cycles, this conversation is about long-term thinking, trusting your intuition, and developing the habits that actually move your life forward. Topics covered: * Why self-integrity is the foundation of success * The difference between knowing and doing * Building discipline through daily habits * Lessons from scaling a fitness business * Trusting your intuition in business decisions * Balancing growth, health, and leadership 🎙️ Standing on Business Watch or listen on all podcast platforms.