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 Michael Fischer
J. Michael Fischer Jr. is a financial strategist and investment banker with a passion for helping business owners navigate growth, acquisition, and exit strategies. His journey is anything but traditional—starting as a college dropout pursuing a rock-and-roll dream, he worked as a janitor, a plumber, and a bank teller before climbing his way up to leadership roles in finance. Through personal challenges, career pivots, and a transformative approach to self-improvement, Fischer has developed a methodology that integrates mindset, physical fitness, and financial acumen.
Outside of work, Michael is dedicated to personal development, fitness, and helping others reach their potential. His philosophy centers around resilience, discipline, and strategic decision-making to optimize both business and personal success.
Reference Links:
Mike Fischer Social Media
Episode Highlights:
Like it or not, having a meaningful life starts with discipline, self-awareness, and the courage to evolve. In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with J. Michael Fischer Jr. to discuss his remarkable path from playing in a rock band to becoming an investment banker.
Michael shares how his early career was shaped by trial and error, a willingness to work from the ground up, and a powerful mindset shift following the sudden loss of his father.
[06:34] ”That Monday morning, my mom screamed for me at 5:00 in the morning. My dad was dying in his bed, and we tried to resuscitate him, but we lost him. It was the biggest mindset shift for me in my life.” — J. Michael Fischer Jr.
Michael shares his transformative journey, focusing on health, mindset, and routines. He details his morning rituals, emphasizing gratitude inspired by ”Conversations with God,” and his commitment to continuous self-improvement. Mike discusses his structured health program, stressing personal responsibility and long-term lifestyle changes.
[24:47] ”Teach me the rules of the game. Give me a few minutes to learn them, and I’ll win the game.” — J. Michael Fischer Jr.
At its core, Michael’s story is about perseverance, adaptability, and the belief that success isn’t just about financial wealth—it’s about vitality, confidence, and leading a meaningful life.
Join us as we uncover the lessons from Michael’s journey and learn how to elevate every aspect of life, from career to health to mindset. Let’s dive in!
In this episode:
Vincent Finaldi, known to friends as Vin or Vince, is a seasoned professional with 18 years of experience in the Telecom industry. As the VP of Sales at TeleCloud, he excels in working directly with clients and partners to achieve remarkable results. With a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Fairfield University, Vincent’s expertise lies in his ability to “get stuff done” and make things happen.
Beyond the office, Vincent’s true passions lie in raising his three children to be kind and responsible individuals and cherishing quality time with his family. A firm believer in leading a good and healthy life, Vincent is dedicated to balancing his professional success with personal well-being.
Whether at work in Morristown or enjoying downtime in Florham Park, NJ, Vincent exemplifies a commitment to excellence in both his professional endeavors and personal life.
Reference Links:
Vincent Finaldi’s Social Media
TeleCloud Social Media
Episode Highlights:
In this episode of “Business Unchained Podcast,” we have the privilege of delving into the unique dynamics of family businesses with Vincent Finaldi, Vice President of TeleCloud, a family-owned business in the service and technology sector. Through Vin’s personal journey of taking over the business after his father’s passing in 2021, we explore the complexities of family enterprises, leadership transitions, and the invaluable lessons learned during trying times, including those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversational spotlight is on the significance of formal structures, delineated roles, and transparent communication within family-owned businesses, offering profound insights for managing and evolving such enterprises.
[23:45] “When the patriarch leaves, it’s a big deal in a family. His death forced us to formalize things because we realized our mortality.” – Vincent Finald
The conversation underscores the challenges of distinguishing between family roles and business roles. Vin draws parallels between a family business and a sports team, underscoring the necessity of clear responsibilities and accountability for achieving success. Emotional attachments can engender an apprehension toward treating the business with the same professionalism as would be in a non-family enterprise, potentially impeding long-term growth and prosperity.
In response to these challenges, Vin and his siblings proactively sought to formalize their business structure. Their proactive measures included consulting legal experts to establish buy-sell agreements and safeguard their shares. Recognizing that legal agreements alone were insufficient, they sought the guidance of Dr. Mark Celentano, an organizational expert with specialized experience in family businesses.
Vincent also shares insights into the significant transformations experienced by their company, particularly in terms of strategic hiring. With a team of 20, they made four pivotal appointments, signifying substantial growth for a small organization. Vincent, as an extrovert, candidly expresses his sentiments about the draining nature of the remote work environment, believing it had a negative impact on the morale of the organization.
[29:57] “It was like that post-COVID running remotely, and I’m an extrovert, my brother’s an extrovert, so after you do internal calls on video, working remotely for a year, it gets pretty draining and saps the soul out of an organization.” – Vincent Finaldi
Furthermore, Vincent outlines their strategic planning process, which leverages the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to set lucid goals for the future. Their three-year vision encompasses ambitious targets, including reaching 30,000 subscribers and expanding the team to 30 members. Let’s dive in!
