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 Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Jenny Woo is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, a company incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs that helps children and adults build emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills. With a Ph.D. in cognitive science and a master’s from Harvard, she has worked in human capital consulting at Deloitte, talent strategy at Cisco, and career coaching at UC Berkeley.
She is the creator of award-winning card games, including 52 Essential Conversations and 52 Essential Coping Skills, used in 50+ countries. Her work has been featured in CNBC, Forbes, FORTUNE, Fast Company, and more.
As a mother of three, Dr. Woo is passionate about helping families and professionals navigate modern challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful connections.
Reference Links:
Mind Brain Emotion Social Media
Dr. Jenny Woo Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What if the key to raising successful, resilient children isn’t about perfect grades or packed schedules—but something far more profound? In a world dominated by social media, academic pressure, and emotional recessions, how do we ensure our kids grow up with the emotional intelligence to thrive?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Dr. Jenny Woo to discuss her journey from corporate consulting to creating tools that help families and workplaces develop essential human skills. They dive into topics like modern parenting, the epidemic of loneliness, and how to build resilience in children and adults alike.
Dr. Woo shares how her own childhood experiences, including growing up without her parents for five years, shaped her understanding of the importance of supportive relationships and coping mechanisms. She also discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood, and how her company, Mind Brain Emotion, was born out of her own struggles to connect with her children in a meaningful way.
[07:54] “When I say village, it doesn’t have to be a lot of people, but you really need that relationship. It could be a partner, a friend, a mentor to just help you stay on track and keep going.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Woo highlights the growing issue of loneliness and isolation, particularly among teenagers, and how social media has disrupted traditional forms of connection. She emphasizes the importance of face-to-face human interaction and the need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable when reaching out to others.
[09:46] “We are experiencing an emotional recession. We don’t quite know how to talk to each other anymore.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
The conversation shifts to the pressures parents face in today’s hyper-competitive environment, where children are constantly compared to their peers. Dr. Woo stresses the importance of setting boundaries and staying true to family values, rather than succumbing to societal pressures.
[10:51] “How do you even move the needle when everybody’s doing the same thing? You end up feeling like, am I doing enough for my kid?” — Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Woo explains how her company creates tools like conversation cards to help families and workplaces build emotional intelligence. These cards are designed to facilitate meaningful conversations and teach essential life skills, from conflict resolution to self-awareness.
[24:45] “The cards are training wheels to help us understand how to talk to each other, name the elephant in the room, and get the support we need.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
At its core, Dr. Woo’s story is about the power of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the belief that success isn’t just about academic or professional achievements—it’s about building meaningful connections and leading a balanced, fulfilling life. She shares insights on why parents and business owners must prioritize their own emotional well-being to maximize their potential and create a positive impact on those around them.
