The Pursuit of Quality

For the Love of Design - White Bicycle w/ Brian Grunert and Kyle Morrissey

Sometimes, folks do things because they truly love what they are doing. This is the most pure, beautiful form of any craft. The money or trade of the work is just a bonus, but the work is the gold. 
Brian Grunert & Kyle Morrissey share their ideas in the design space and the story of how they built White Bike, a design studio that's in it for the sake of good design. 
White Bike works with some of the coolest legacy organizations and businesses in Buffalo, something you know we here at Positive Approach aspire towards. I am blessed to be able to chat with people who share such wisdom and honored to be able to share this platform with you. 
Enjoy and check out their work @white_bike @reddiskstudio

009 - Brian Pawloski - Courage Above All

Brian Pawloski is a close friend and a mentor. I know him as a father, a husband, a go getter and a change maker. He founded a school called Buffalo Collegiate Charter School in 2018, which was unfortunately closed by the state in 2023 after a 5 year run. He is currently building a foothold in the film industry, working on powerful documentaries on people of impact. 
Brian and I talk about a fundamentally broken education system, his insights on education, friendship, and family. 
Enjoy and please share and leave a rating and review. This is how the podcast continues to grow, so we can foster strong conversations and inspire others. 

008 - Be A Nice Person w/ The Arc Erie County - Kristie Edwards and Jess Trainor

In this episode, I chatted with Kristie Edwards and Jess Trainor from The Arc Erie County; an organization that services and empowers people with developmental disabilities. They utilize education programs, employment services, trainings, and do good work right in our community to serve this populations.
Kristie's title at The Arc is Director of Community Relations and Development and Jess's role in the organization is the Special Events and Development Manager. Together they put on amazing events and work on awesome programs and initiatives like the upcoming Ale Trail and new project Black Water Acres farm project, which I was thrilled to hear about.
Follow the organization @thearceriecounty
You can support by donating HERE or buy attending one of their events.
Ale Trail Tickets can be purchased HERE. 
Check out MUDDY BUFFALO race HERE. 
Our mission on our pursuit of quality is to inspire, empower, teach, and encourage people by exploring the inner workings of organizations and businesses who do good work and cool stuff. At our shop, we aspire to work with folks who remain an asset to our community and who make the world a better place. I believe that these conversations have the power to change the world.
With your help, we can grow this podcast and continue having these amazing conversations. 
Please leave a rating and review, share with a friend who might like the podcast, or share on your social media. 

007 - Other People Fund w/ Elena Kilgore

On this week's episode, I had a chat with Elena Kilgore. Elena is a traveler, an entrepreneur, and a change maker. Her organization, Other People Fund, is on a mission to make therapy accessible to anyone in need. 
Listen as she shares the story of how she got started just 3 years ago and where it has taken her. 
Therapy is such an important tool that has many stigmas surrounding it. It is crucial that different forms of therapies are made accessible. We need to be more open to how therapy can be helpful in our lives and in our overall health and that the result can lead to the healing of a person, who then can become a better asset to their family and community. 
I talk alot about the importance of physical fitness and being a strong asset rather than a liability. But a fit body can be lead only by a fit mind. The health and wellness of our mental health can be easily thrown to the wayside because it cannot be seen, and often we think of expressing our emotions as a weakness. The power of combining efforts to be a physically and mentally fit person can make one unstoppable - increasing their influence and ability to change the world. 
Always be on the pursuit of quality. 
www.otherpeoplefund.com
www.supportthepsyche.com
Find Elena @polkadothead on Tik Tok
Find OPF @otherpeoplefund on Instagram
 

006 - Aille Design w/ Alexa & Jake

This week we talked with Alexa & Jake, founders of a brand called Aille (pronounced EYE) Design. Their mission is to bring inclusivity to fashion. 
Listen to the story of how they got to where they are, what drives them to pursue growth for the business, and opportunities they've had along the way. 
We are inspired by the light they are bringing to the industry, innovating and spreading a positive message of empowerment (in the right way). We are also excited to continue our partnership as they work with bigger and bigger partners, but not for the reason of making an extra buck. We selfishly love piggy backing off of folks who are doing good things for the community, even if its in the background. 
Impact is contagious. Spread the word. 
Always be on The Pursuit of Quality.
Peace! 

005 - 26 Shirts w/ Del & Josh - Business On Purpose

This week, we sat down with our friends at 26 Shirts.
Listen to the story of the rise of 26 Shirts and where they are today, doing business "on purpose", being a foundation for the community, and some insight on design. 
It was awesome hanging out with Del & Josh and their crew, learning more about a business that we have been super tight with for over 4 years. We strive to become a better business and an asset to our community. Working with 26 Shirts brings us into the world of doing business for good through their charity campaigns, helping families in need. 
Support 26 Shirts when you can @26shirts 
Check out their documentary on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/iKujZ3-mxzE?si=UtBj8obt_bsYoJ0u
Always be on the pursuit of quality - Peace! 

004 - Flying Bison w/ Jake & Dennis

Flying Bison is a driving force in Buffalo's brewing industry. They were one of the original breweries during the late 90s beer resurgence, and their website states "... born from a passion for great beer and a fierce love for our city..."
Flying Bison is a business with a clear mission, which I always admire. They know why they are here and they do it well, and without compromise. 
Listen to the story of how they got to where they are now, through trials and tribulations, the sale of the business to one of the kings of brewing, Matt Brewing Co (owners of Saranac Brewing), and how Jake and his team keep relevance built into a classic company. 
One way they remain relevant is through community work, which is a story after my own heart. Dennis tells the story of how running has become a vital part of the business as they service a community of athletes. 
This is the pursuit of quality and I have found it at Flying Bison. 
 
Peace! 

003 - Erba Verde

This week I had an awesome conversation at the beautiful Erba Verde Farms with owner Bryan Strzelec. Bryan has A LOT of knowledge on the food system, ideas on how we can fix things, and so much inspiring wisdom.
I was super inspired by this conversation  and I hope to continue to learn from Bryan as we share new ideas around farming, homesteading, and taking back the confidence to produce off the land. 
Bryan and his family raise pasture raised pork and chicken, and pastured dairy. The operation is raw and amazing. 
Check them out @erbaverdefarms
Erba Verde Farms 
1320 Porterville Rd. East Aurora 14052
Tune in next week for episode 003.5 where I break down important points and ideas from this conversation. 
Always be on the pursuit of quality. 
If you want to support the podcast, please leave a rating and review. If you know someone who might enjoy the conversation, share it with a friend! After all, sharing is caring! 

002.5 - Mini Episode - Jump In and Enjoy the Ride

I wanted to take an opportunity to bullet point some stand out ideas in our conversation with Shane and Mikey of First Line / Black Smoke. 
The conversation was full of gold, which Ive broken down here into 4 points, with personal experience to extend the point. 
A quick recap on these four ideas -
Jump right in and enjoy the ride.
Use your super power of communication to build a stand out brand.
Give your customers an experience they cant pass up.
Be a guide when its your turn, and take guidance when it comes.
And a bonus nugget because its on my mind
Give a damn and people will notice.
Our goal with this podcast is to offer a platform for people to tell their story, but our mission is ultimately to inspire people and share positive ideas and concepts to motivate growth. 
Follow, share, rate and review if youd like to help the podcast grow! 
Peace! 

002 - Black Smoke / First Line Brewing - Shane & Mikey

This week we sat down with Shane & Mikey, founders of First Line Brewing, Black Smoke Bourbon Bar, and soon Lasso's Chicken BBQ. These guys have been bringing awesome southern vibes to the south towns with live country music, family atmosphere, respect, and good food & drinks. 
Listen to their story and how they've grown in just 4 years. Be inspired and trust that these family dudes will steer you in the right direction. I was so inspired and fired up by this conversation. I love to see the edge they are bringing to the food & drink space and look forward to what they will build in the future. Can't wait to get my hands on some Lasso's Chicken! 
Of course, if you havent checked out First Line in Orchard Park and Black Smoke in Hamburg, get there! 
@firstlinebrewing
@blacksmokebourbonbar
@lassoschickenbbq
Always be on the pursuit of quality.