The Pursuit of Quality

28 - If I Can Do It, So Can You w/ Rashaad Holley

Rashaad Holley is a Buffalo artist, fashion designer, and educator. Rashaad is a lecturer at Buffalo State and is involved with Arts for Learning WNY, an amazing resource for both teaching artists and students. 
Rashaad has such a beautiful outlook on art and on life in general. Founded in the love and care he received from strong women in his early life, he demonstrates this now in his teaching and everyday walk. 
We are honored to know people like Rashaad and have their support throughout the years as we develop our business. 
@rashaadholley
@theruth.design
@buffalostatefashion
Enjoy the conversation with Rashaad Holley. 
 

27 - Give more. Do more. Learn more. w/ Dr. Graig Shapiro

Dr. Graig Shapiro runs a chiropractic and rehabilitation clinic in Amherst, NY... but his practice is so much more than that. Graig is a big proponent of DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization) in treatment and training. I have come to love DNS in my own training and hope to continue education on it. 
Graig is also an educator and hopes to continue serving people through educating trainers, who can share these concepts with clients. 
Book an appointment with one of the folks at OPC today. 
Enjoy the conversation and start thinking about what your body needs from you.
@opc_buffalo
www.opcbuffalo.com

26 - Win or Learn w/ Jose Flores

What a privilege to talk with Jose Flores on this weeks podcast episode! Jose is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. He and his wife, Beatriz, run a cultural center and Jiu Jitsu academy out of a 10,000 square foot warehouse in riverside, Buffalo NY. 
So many awesome tidbits of wisdom here, mostly around the simple wins in life. He is a huge proponent of building beautiful relationships, encouraging a positive outlook for our youth, and growing from suffering; something he calls "win or learn". 
Follow El Batey @elbateyinc
Follow Takeover Jiu Jitsu @takeoverjiujitsu
If you are curious about jiu jitsu, go check them out. They offer free trial classes for all ages. 
Enjoy! 

25 - Seeing People in a Beautiful Light w/ Jeremy Gonzalez

Today I sat down with one of my best friends, Jeremy Gonzalez. 
We talked about the importance of creative outlets, his experience as a Buffalo firefighter, and human connection. 
Enjoy! 
Instagram @_jeremyagonzalez
www.jeremyagonzalez.com

24 - Quality In All You Do w/ Travis Carlson

Today I sat down with writer and film maker, Travis Carlson, of Pan-Am Film Division. I have always been fascinated with the mystery of the behind-the-scenes in film making and really in video/photography in general. It was awesome to har about some of that in our conversation.
Some value adds: Travis explained how quality can be found in anything that you do, from the products your company sells, to interactions with people in your daily life. He also expressed the importance of team work in growth and execution. So many valuable business lessons in this conversation! 
I am so stoked that he also brought some camera equipment to film our first video episode, which we will use to bring some content and marketing around the pod. Thank you for that, Travis! 
Check out his (and his team) work at www.panamericanfilms.com 
@pan.am.films on Instagram
Follow us as we continue our Pursuit of Quality, bringing business insights and values from some of the coolest owners, founders, and creatives in our beautiful city of Buffalo, NY. 
Enjoy! 

23 - BONUS - The Story of Positive Approach

Howdy yall! 
On this episode, I was in the hot seat! A Buff State student and artist, Chad Ewanic, hit me up to ask if his group could interview me for their senior final on business. I am always honored and feeling blessed to have opportunities like this. Though this was not intended on being a podcast, they needed a recording of it for their class, and we sat aside our pod equipment for the interview so why not release it to the world... or atleast the few folks in our city who listen. 
Hey, if you tell a friend, maybe that number will grow ;) 
This is The Pursuit of Quality. 

22 - The Little Things Make Big Impact w/ Nate Feldman

What an amazing conversation with my friend, fellow peace maker, and smile mentor. We covered all things Nate Feldman, from his upbringing and introduction to business values, to his current operations and insights. 
It was an honor to talk about the evolution of Nate and his business and pull out some amazing pieces of wisdom. 
- The little things matter.
- It's simple, but not easy. 
- Sacrifices can be the best investments. 
- Strive to make impact on others. 
- Tell the people in your life what they have done for you and that you love them. 
This is the Pursuit of Quality. <3 

21 - Think Of The Life You Want To Build w/ Carl Montante & Evan Giokas

A Story In Design w/ Raelyn & Jonathan Capozzi (West End Interiors / Old Growth Handcrafted)

Back in the day, well before I was around, QUALITY was the foundation of everything. Craftsmen and artisans were unrecognized, but their work was at every corner. In fact, their work is still at every corner because it was made to last, but how many of us recognize the details that make our environment relate to us on an emotional level? This is the magic in design. 
Why is the trend of the current times based on speed and cost, rather than quality and timelessness? 
In this conversation with Raelyn & Jonathan Capozzi, a quality-first duo responsible for work coming from West End Interiors and Old Growth Handcrafted, we dissected these ideas around historical craftsmanship and the role it plays in their businesses and todays consumer demand. 
@westend.interiors
@oldgrowthhandcrafted
Enjoy! 

Embrace The Suck w/ Taylor Tobias

I had an awesome conversation this week with a good friend Taylor Tobias. I was excited to talk about his training philosophies and figure out the inner mental workings that get him through gnarly workouts leading up to his Ironman Lake Placid 2025 race in July. 
I loved the little hits of wisdom in this one.
Enjoy! 
@taylortobias on instagram
@taylor tobias on Strava