Calling all small business warriors who feel chained to their business! Do you run your business or does your business run you? You’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into it and it is time to set yourself free. I’m Bobby Mascia – owner of a wealth management firm, family office, manufacturing business, 18 store Dunkin Franchise, and de facto business coach. My goal? To liberate your business— whether it be operationally, prep for a sale, a legacy handover, or self-management. The roadmap to this freedom is something we will uncover together in Business Unchained.” Join me as I learn about fellow entrepreneurs, dissecting their past, present, and future.
About Maria Falzo
Maria Falzo is a PR and events expert, entrepreneur, and founder of The Hip Event, a boutique agency specializing in luxury brand experiences, high-profile events, and strategic marketing. With a career rooted in retail marketing and public relations, Maria has worked with top-tier brands such as Neiman Marcus, Hugo Boss, and luxury real estate firms, connecting high-net-worth individuals with meaningful brand experiences.
Her expertise lies in crafting high-impact events, from black-tie galas to intimate brand activations, always ensuring that clients receive an ROI-driven approach. Maria's entrepreneurial journey has allowed her to balance her professional success with her role as a devoted mother, shaping a business that fits her lifestyle.
Reference Links:
The Hip Event Social Media
Maria Falzo Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What makes an event truly unforgettable? Is it the grand venue, the meticulous details, or the emotions it evokes? In a world where luxury events are becoming more extravagant, what does it take to create magic behind the scenes?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Maria Falzo, a top event planner specializing in high-net-worth clientele, to discuss her journey from the corporate world to launching her own agency.
(29:04) ”People will spend more money on personal events than they will on corporate events. It's that emotional connection”— Maria Falzo
The conversation also explores the challenges that come with planning high-profile events, including last-minute changes, difficult clients, and the pressure to deliver perfection. Maria explains how she stays grounded and maintains balance between her demanding career and personal life.
(04:15) ”I think a lot of people have a hard time dealing with high-net-worth individuals, and I think for myself, it took me a few years of just seeing a lot of zeros and a lot of digits before numbers just really didn’t matter to me anymore.” — Maria Falzo
At its core, Maria’s story is about passion, resilience, and the ability to turn a vision into reality. Whether you're planning your own wedding, hosting a corporate event, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Let’s dive in!
In this episode:
About Wolfgang Muller
Wolfgang Muller’s career journey began right after college when he faced the challenge of finding a path that would lift him out of financial hardship. Though he had the option to dive into finance with LaSalle Bank, Wolfgang opted for the thriving field of telecom sales due to its promising prospects. Now, a tech industry veteran with over 20 years of experience, notably at HTC, where he served as Global VP and President of Connected Products. He played a key role in establishing HTC’s North American retail channel, partnering with major retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Target to generate billions in revenue.
Following his success at HTC, Wolfgang became the Global VP of Sales for Essential Products, a startup founded by Android creator Andy Rubin. His journey in Silicon Valley began with humble beginnings, including sleeping on a blow-up mattress as he built his career.
An alumnus of Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wolfgang is now a co-founder, CMO, CEO, and Board Director for two startups, with a third venture in development. His passion for innovation and entrepreneurship drives his mission to create impactful solutions in the tech landscape.
Reference Links:
Wolfgang Muller’s Social Media
Episode Highlights:
Have you ever wondered what it takes to thrive in the ever-evolving world of entrepreneurship? What role does mentorship play in shaping a successful career?
In the latest episode of “Business Unchained,” host Bobby Mascia dives deep with Wolfgang Muller, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the tech industry.
(48:40) “My mom gave me the mentality of it doesn’t matter how, where you came from in this country, it matters how hard you work and what you make for yourself as you get older.”- Wolfgang Muller
From his early days in telecom sales to pivotal roles at HTC and Essential Products, Wolfgang shares invaluable insights that every entrepreneur can learn from. Have you ever felt the excitement of launching a new venture only to overlook critical planning details? Wolfgang warns against the common pitfalls of “founders’ blinders,” where enthusiasm can blind you to essential strategies like exit plans and legal frameworks.
(08:57) “Sometimes we have what I call the founder’s blinders on, right? Where, God, this great idea is going to be this great product and you talk to other people and this is where mentors come in because you talk to other people and everyone’s like, yes, man. Yeah, that’s amazing. Oh, I’d buy that. Right. But we don’t really think through the process and maybe we think through monetization and we think about like exit, oh, I go IPO someday, et cetera. But we almost think too far.”- Wolfgang Muller
As they explore the complexities of board governance and the importance of shareholder agreements, you’ll discover why establishing clear rules is crucial—especially when personal relationships are involved in business decisions.
(24:07) “My suggestion would be like, settle down, take 10 minutes, just stop everything for a minute. I know you guys have visions as to what the future looks like, which is fantastic, but you need to ensure that things are set up now so that when shit hits the fan, which it will when tension happens between the, the two of you or three of you, whatever, which it will, that everyone feels comfortable.”- Wolfgang Muller
And what about the future of sports? Wolfgang’s current venture in sports decentralization may just hold the key to transforming the industry. His latest venture, F2O Sports, aimed at revolutionizing sports management through decentralization and fan ownership. Bobby and Wolfgang discuss how this innovative model can transform the sports industry by giving fans a voice and stake in the teams they love. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a sports enthusiast, or both, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiration. So tune in, and get ready to unchain your business potential!
