WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed

Episode 34: The Strategy Behind Smart Growth

What if the biggest barrier to your business growth isn’t your product, your pricing, or your people but your lack of strategy? In this episode of WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Seth Greene interviews Rachel Present, Fractional CMO, who has led marketing strategy at startups and global corporations alike, from early-stage tech ventures in Tel Aviv to multinational firms like Thales and Next Insurance, acquired for billions by Munich Re. Drawing from her 14 years abroad and deep Western New York roots, Rachel shares how combining international experience with entrepreneurial spirit helps businesses unlock powerful, sustainable growth. She reveals what most companies get wrong about marketing, and how a clear strategy can bridge the gap between potential and performance. Key Takeaways: → Why strategy must come before execution and how skipping this step stalls growth. → How fractional CMOs help companies scale without the overhead of a full-time executive employee. → Why keeping clients engaged and customer retention beats constant prospecting. → How to measure marketing ROI when sales cycles are long and attribution is tricky. → The three critical questions every business owner should answer before setting a marketing plan. Rachel Present is a passionate fractional CMO dedicated to helping Rochester-area businesses achieve world-class marketing results. A proud Rochester native, she understands the local mindset—whether it’s Jim Kelly nostalgia or knowing that “flurries” aren’t real snow—and believes exceptional companies from the region deserve global-level strategy. With over 14 years of international experience, including time spent in Israel, Rachel blends American warmth with Israeli chutzpah to deliver results that resonate—whether your audience is in Greece, New York or Athens, Greece. A self-taught marketer and former tech professional, she approaches each client like a marketing detective, uncovering obstacles and crafting strategies that drive measurable growth. Following in the legacy of her family’s respected Western New York business, Present Company, Rachel founded her firm to empower organizations to reach their ideal customers and turn marketing into meaningful, profitable impact. Connect With Rachel: Website: https://www.rachelpresent.com/ [https://www.rachelpresent.com/]   Connect with EO Western NY: Website [https://hub.eonetwork.org/] X [https://twitter.com/EO_WesternNY] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/EOWesternNY] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-wny/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@EOWesternNewYork]   To learn more about joining the local EO chapter, please email us at admin@eo-wny.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 33: What the New Tax Law Means for Corporations

A brand-new tax law just rewrote R&D, GILTI, and FDII: here’s how to avoid surprises in your effective tax rate and cash flow.   In this episode of WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Seth Greene interviews Katie Salisbury, Senior Tax Manager for Withum, in Buffalo, New York, who traces her path from Freed Maxick to Withum, then breaks down the newest law’s impact on R&D expensing, options for handling unamortized 2021–2023 costs, and what shifting from compliance to true advisory looks like. She also covers evolving international tax pressures (GILTI/FDII, foreign filings), how teams should think about tariffs, and the mindset that keeps pros sharp in a fast-changing tax world.   Key Takeaways: → How R&D costs can be expensed can be expensed again. → Why SEC filers are laser-focused on ETR impact, cash timing, and ASC 740 disclosures under the new rules. → How tariffs remain a moving target. → Why monitoring, scenario planning, and flexible models beat one-and-done answers. → How teams must align resources early so compliance and planning reinforce each other.   Katie Salisbury, CPA, is a senior tax manager for Withum based in the Buffalo, New York office. She has over 10 years of experience working in public accounting, focusing on tax compliance and ASC 740 financial reporting for large multinational corporations. She has a passion for helping clients navigate the complex tax code and serving as their business advisor to help them succeed.   Connect With Katie: Website [https://www.withum.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/withumcpa/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/WithumSmithBrown] X [https://x.com/withumCPA] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/withumsmith-brown/]   Connect with EO Western NY: Website [https://hub.eonetwork.org/] X [https://twitter.com/EO_WesternNY] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/EOWesternNY] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-wny/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@EOWesternNewYork]   To learn more about joining the local EO chapter, please email us at admin@eo-wny.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 32: How Sage Rutty & Company Helps Businesses Maximize Retirement Plans

Discover the keys to building lasting wealth, developing retirement strategies that truly work, and implementing financial plans with confidence.   In this episode of WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Seth Greene interviews Doug Parker, CFP, Senior Vice President and Shareholder of Sage Rutty & Company. Doug has over thirty years of experience helping clients grow their wealth through disciplined financial planning and investment strategies. From working with small business owners to designing custom retirement plans, he has seen firsthand how proper execution of financial strategies can transform lives and legacies. In this episode, Doug discusses the challenges of implementation, the importance of long-term planning, and how Sage Rutty helps individuals and businesses maximize their financial opportunities.   Key Takeaways: → The difference between large firms and smaller, more nimble companies. → Why business owners benefit from combining personal and retirement planning. → The importance of executing financial plans and monitoring them over time. → The process of helping business owners transition their companies. → Real-world examples of clients who benefited from Sage Rutty’s strategy.   Doug Parker is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, and a Senior Vice President and shareholder at Sage Rutty & Company. He serves as a Senior Vice President of the firm’s Parker, Burke & Gingerich private financial practice, where he provides comprehensive financial advice to both individual and corporate clients across a wide range of financial topics. Doug has a master’s degree in financial planning from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, and graduated with honors from Roberts Wesleyan College. Active in the financial planning community, Doug is involved with the local chapter of the Financial Planning Association and is a Past President of the Estate Planning Council of Rochester. He has also previously served as a member and Board Chair of the Catholic Family Center Board of Directors and currently participates on the Catholic Charities of Rochester Pension Committee.   Connect With Doug: Website [https://www.sagerutty.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sagerutty] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagerutty]   Connect with EO Western NY: Website [https://hub.eonetwork.org/] X [https://twitter.com/EO_WesternNY] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/EOWesternNY] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-wny/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@EOWesternNewYork]   To learn more about joining the local EO chapter, please email us at admin@eo-wny.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 31: From Buyer Frustration to Real Estate Success with EO

Discover how one real estate leader turned personal frustration into a thriving team that thrives on visibility, relationships, and intentional growth.   In this episode of WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Seth Greene speaks with Enas Latif, founder of the Enas Latif Sales Team, who shares her inspiring journey from being a first-time homebuyer struggling with the process to leading a successful multi-market real estate business. She discusses lessons learned from market fluctuations, building a team, and balancing business with personal well-being. Enas also reveals how joining EO Western New York sped up her growth and expanded her leadership, helping her overcome challenges and boost her team’s success.   Key Takeaways: → The importance of visibility in standing out as a real estate team. → The value of slow hiring and quick letting go for team health. → How to set healthy boundaries while staying accessible to clients. → Creating daily habits maintains personal well-being amid business demands. → The lasting impact of genuine relationships with clients and team members.   With over 20 years of experience, Enas Latif is a leading realtor in the Buffalo-Niagara area and the founder of the Enas Latif Sales Team. Known for her client-first approach, she makes buying and selling easier while bringing expert negotiation skills as a certified real estate negotiator. Under her leadership, the team consistently ranks among the highest-performing in the company at HUNT Real Estate and across Buffalo-Niagara, earning recognition from the local Association of Realtors. Enas holds a GRI designation and certifications as a Certified Buyer Representative (CBR), Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), and Certified Relocation Specialist. She is also a skilled marketing strategist. Whether buying or selling, Enas combines market expertise, negotiation skills, and a personal touch to help clients reach their real estate goals.   Connect With Enas: Website [https://enaslatifsalesteam.com/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/sellingWny]   Connect with EO Western NY: Website [https://hub.eonetwork.org/] X [https://twitter.com/EO_WesternNY] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/EOWesternNY] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/eo-wny/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@EOWesternNewYork] To learn more about joining the local EO chapter, please email us at admin@eo-wny.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Episode 30: Evolving as an Entrepreneur Through Major Transitions

From purchasing a family business to leading successful mergers, this episode dives into an entrepreneur's journey of growth, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way.   In this episode of WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed, Seth Greene speaks with Amy Castronova, President of Leadership Alchemy, who began her entrepreneurial journey by purchasing a family business while still in college, a decision that has shaped her career in unexpected ways. Over the course of two decades, she navigated major transitions, including mergers and the challenges of selling a company. Now focusing on leadership coaching, Amy shares her insights on overcoming doubts, empowering teams, and building scalable businesses.   Key Takeaways: → Learn why developing rapport with employees and clients early on paves the way for success.   → The significance of scaling and recognizing when to let go.   → How to manage due diligence and transitions when selling your business.   → Explore how Leadership Alchemy supports growing businesses.    → Discover how coaching others and leading forums help develop strong leadership skills.   Amy Castronova is the President of Leadership Alchemy and a dynamic leader in entrepreneurship and personal growth. At just 20, she started a successful technical communications company, which she managed for 16 years before guiding mergers and acquisitions, leading to a successful exit in 2021. By age 30, Amy received prestigious awards, including the Rising Star Award from the Women Presidents Organization and Rochester Business Person of the Year—honors that earned her an invitation to the White House as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs making an impact on the U.S. economy. Today, Amy combines her business expertise with powerful tools like Human Design and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to help leaders connect with their purpose and find fulfillment. Through Leadership Alchemy, she helps high-achieving individuals break through self-sabotage and lead with joy, freedom, and authenticity.     Connect With Amy: Website [https://www.amycastronova.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amycastronova] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-alchemy/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]