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WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed

WNY Entrepreneurs Unleashed

Written by: David Searns
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 WNY Entrepreneurs Unleased is a show by…and for…local business owners running seven, eight, and even nine-figure companies. Each show features the untold stories of entrepreneurs in our community. You’ll hear their tales of success…and their sometimes painful lessons from failure. We dive deep to uncover what made these inspiring people successful and how they skillfully achieved transformative growth and a balanced life. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level, join us as we delve into the ever-evolving world of business ownership, one episode at a time.Copyright 2024 EO WNY All Rights Reserved. Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Episode 34: The Strategy Behind Smart Growth

    Episode 34: The Strategy Behind Smart Growth
    Nov 28 2025
    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/ Connect with EO Western NY: Website X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube 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
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    18 mins
  • Episode 33: What the New Tax Law Means for Corporations

    Episode 33: What the New Tax Law Means for Corporations
    Oct 31 2025
    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 Instagram Facebook X LinkedIn Connect with EO Western NY: Website X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube 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
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    12 mins
  • Episode 32: How Sage Rutty & Company Helps Businesses Maximize Retirement Plans

    Episode 32: How Sage Rutty & Company Helps Businesses Maximize Retirement Plans
    Sep 26 2025
    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 Facebook LinkedIn Connect with EO Western NY: Website X Facebook LinkedIn YouTube 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
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    18 mins
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