Pain Points

In this episode, Lauren Lewis visits ACSI and sits down with James Brand, President, and Kristen Huffcut, Senior Relationship Manager, to discuss the complexities of retirement plans and why many employers struggle to manage them. 

ACSI is a third-party administrator (TPA) specializing in retirement plan compliance, administration, and support for small and mid-sized businesses. Their team helps companies navigate the legal, operati...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Carmelo Morreale, Owner and Partner of Metrodata Services, a nationally accredited pre-employment screening company based in Buffalo, NY. 

Carm shares his journey from starting as an intern in 2009 to eventually purchasing the company with his business partner in 2022. What started as “just a job” turned into a career rooted in accountability, compliance, and community. 

Together, Lauren a...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Angela Hall, PhD, CFP, Senior Advisor at Note Advisors, for a refreshing and honest conversation about financial literacy, career pivots, and making money conversations less scary, and a lot more human. 

Angela shares her nontraditional path into finance, starting her career in biology and education before finding her calling as a financial advisor. With more than 15 years of experience, ...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Christina Pearl, Corporate Director of Communications at Horizon Health Services, for an inspiring conversation about purpose-driven work, mental health advocacy, and the power of connection. 

Christina shares her journey of returning to Buffalo after college, finding her way through nonprofit board service, and ultimately building Horizon’s communications and marketing function from the ...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Amy Gurske, Founder of sayhii, for a powerful and deeply human conversation about burnout, fear, self-worth, and what happens when you finally choose your health over expectations.

Amy shares her journey from spending 17 years in corporate America, to hitting a breaking point that led to a life-changing decision she calls a “midlife resign.” From glass ceilings and unmanaged stress to a h...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Justin Cuviello and Kyle Cuviello, brothers and co-owners of Care Team Solutions, a national healthcare staffing agency based in Buffalo, NY. Their story is packed with grit: from taking a leap of faith after careers in pharmaceutical and software sales, to launching a staffing firm from scratch, to growing through COVID, and surviving the steepest downturn their industry has ever faced.

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This week, Lauren Lewis sits down with Brittany Frey, Co-Founder of Hays Frey PR, for an honest, funny, and powerful conversation about crisis communications, entrepreneurship, and navigating life when everything feels upside down.

Brittany shares her full story — from agency grind, to in-house roles, to losing her job during COVID, to launching a PR firm in the middle of a lawsuit, raising young kids, and still finding time to ...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Candice Miller, Founder and Principal of Miller Advisory Group, to unpack her journey from finance and law firm operations to building a thriving business development consultancy for legal professionals.

Candice shares how she found her niche helping law firms modernize their operations, use data more strategically, and adapt to emerging technologies like AI — all while keeping people...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with Tom Murdock, Clinical Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Management, to unpack his nontraditional career journey — from corporate consulting to higher education — and how he’s helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in Western New York.

Tom shares how his early passion for economic development led him from Deloitte Consulting in New York City to Buffalo Niagara...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with HeatherJackson - Fassari, Owner of Interlink CFO, to discuss the realities of leaving corporate America to launch a business from scratch — and the Pain Points that come with entrepreneurship, growth, and trust.

Heather shares her story of stepping out of a 20+ year career in corporate finance and operations to build a fractional CFO firm from the ground up. From her “day one” moment of re...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Allison Raffaele, CEO of Medical Health Associates of Western New York (MHA), to explore the realities of leading a healthcare organization that balances independence, compliance, and community connection. Allison shares her winding career path — from surgical technology to animal hospital administration — and the pivotal Pain Points that shaped her leadership journey.

Together, Laure...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with MarioRodriguez, President of Forseti Protection Group, a full-service security company that’s redefining what it means to keep people, property, and organizations safe.

Founded in 2012, Forseti Protection Group was born from the belief that clients deserve more than box-checking and basic protection—they deserve peace of mind. With a team built on military and law enforcement experien...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis sits down with Beth Clark, third-generation owner of Bridal Chateau, a beloved local bridal shop that’s been serving brides for nearly 50 years.

Beth shares the evolution of the business her grandmother started—from a small in-home operation to a leading bridal destination that’s focused on experience, inclusion, and authenticity.

Together, they explore the Pain Points of keeping a legacy business releva...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with Steve McMorrow, Founder of the Buffalo Cannabis Network (BCN) and longtime advocate for cannabis normalization and education. 

Steve shares his cross-country journey from LA film schoolto launching a cleaning company for grow facilities in Colorado, to ultimately returning to Buffalo to build an inclusive and informed cannabis ecosystem. Together, Maggie and Steve dive into the real Pain P...

In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with creative strategist and community leader Lindsay Taylor (Director of Advancement & Development, Buffalo PAL; Founder, Beau Fleuve Music & Arts). 

Lindsay shares his journey from organizing school trips andparties to launching multi-city festivals, community programs, and one of Buffalo’s most dynamic “third spaces.” Together, Maggie and Lindsay dig into the Pain Points of scali...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis of StaffBuffalo sits down with fellow woman-owned business leader Danielle Bickel, founder of Strokes Painting & Contracting.  

Danielle shares her journey launching Strokes during the height of the pandemic, from working around the kitchen table to managing 14 crews and opening a dedicated shop. With a commitment to integrity, transparency, and culture, Danielle is redefining what it means to lead ...

In this transparent and compelling episode, host Maggie Shea visits East Leaf Dispensary, a woman- and family owned, New York State licensed adult-use cannabis retailer in Cheektowaga, NY. Maggie sits down with co-owner, Gina Miller, and team member, Taylor Smith, to dive deep into the real Pain Points of navigating a brand-new cannabis dispensary from scratch. 

From opening a thriving liquor store to opening one of Buffalo’s first ...

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, host LaurenLewis sits down with Tom Akers — founder of Renew Bath + Body and Junk Free Skin — for a raw and insightful discussion on the real Pain Points behind sustainability, innovation, and scaling a purpose-driven business. 

After leaving the fast-food world (yes, he once ownedmultiple Taco Bell and KFC locations), Tom found himself at a crossroads. With a passion for clean skinca...

In this episode, Lauren Lewis and Maggie Shea dive deep with Dustin Snyder, founder of Wayforward Associates, to uncover the most common Pain Points that keep companies stuck in cycles of disengagement, turnover, and missed opportunities. 

Dustin shares his journey from labor relations to consultingand reveals the game-changing strategies he uses to help companies identify and resolve the root causes of their biggest Pain Points...