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 Rachel Durkan
Rachel Durkan, President of Paradigm Marketing & Design, brings over a decade of experience since founding the company. With a marketing background and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rachel’s expertise spans web and graphic design, enriching her strategic vision. She guides Paradigm’s growth strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client satisfaction. Under her leadership, Paradigm has earned accolades like the MCCC Digital Marketing Award and recognition as NJBIZ’s Top 3 Advertising Agencies. Rachel is the author of two books, Lessons Beyond the Obvious and Breakthrough Results, co-hosts the Failed Forward podcast, and has received awards including NJBIZ’s 50 Best Women in Business and 40 Under 40 Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs.
Reference Links:
Rachel Durkan’s Social Media
Paradigm Marketing & Design Social Media
Episode Highlights:
In today’s episode of “Business Unchained,” we sit down with Rachel Durkan, President and Founder of Paradigm Marketing and Design to delve into her journey of transitioning from her corporate career to founding Paradigm Marketing & Design.
[05:41] “Leaving your real job is terrifying. Hiring your first employee, I remember my first employee whose salary I paid. She said, “I’m going to go get a mortgage.” I had to sign, and I thought, “Oh God, I have to keep this together for her.”- Rachel Durkan
[05:06] “One day I realized that my hobby at night and on the weekends was making more money than my real job. I thought, “Oh my God, I’m so busy, I should really hire someone.” But I was scared because my real job had health insurance and a steady paycheck.” -Rachel Durkan
During the conversation, Rachel shares her journey from accidentally starting her business to running it full-time. Initially intending to work for someone else, Rachel found herself drawn to digital marketing and web development. She discusses the challenges and fears she faced, the importance of strategic planning, and the significance of delegating tasks. Rachel and Bobby also explore business growth stages, emphasizing sales, operational infrastructure, and leadership development. Rachel highlights the importance of aligning messaging with the right audience, collaboration, and continuous adaptation in marketing strategies. Join us as Rachel shares her personal and professional insights, offering a glimpse into her journey as a leader in marketing and design.
[12:06] “I always tell my team, if I were to get hit by a bus tomorrow, this company has to keep running. That’s why we have a rule of three in our company—three people need to know how to do a job and be involved in an account in some way”-Rachel Durkan
[16:46] “I’d rather have the perfect smaller company that can grow, like cutting out the cancer pieces, than a larger company that is creating headaches or distracting me.” -Rachel Durkan
[34:59] “We can use AI to help with messaging, but we’re still humans. We still have feelings, and marketing is all about feelings.”-Rachel Durkan
