The Marty Grizzanti Show

Marty Grizzanti

This is the Marty Grizzanti show. As a full-time real estate investor and business owner, I have a real fascination with finding the key principles of business success and personal development. This show is both a reflection of my personal mission and a journey to uncover ways to get ahead in life and business. Join us weekly as I interview high-performers, CEOs, business owners, and athletes to find out what kind of person they had to become to reach the world-class level that they attained.

  1. Sep 27

    Ep 78 - Rochester’s Housing Crisis, High-Speed Rail & the Future of Upstate New York I Jeremy Cooney

    I recently sat down with New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney for a wide ranging conversation about Rochester, real estate, housing, infrastructure, transportation, and the future of Upstate New York. We talked about the challenges around housing and homeownership, the redevelopment of the Inner Loop, high speed rail, energy and infrastructure, cannabis, economic development, and some of the issues that can impact new development across the region. Jeremy also shared some of his experiences in public service, including what he learned from his first run for office and how that shaped his approach moving forward. I enjoyed the conversation and hearing Jeremy’s perspective on Rochester and where he sees opportunities for the region. In this episode: • Rochester’s housing crisis and homeownership • Affordable housing and housing development • New York’s cannabis industry • High speed rail and public private partnerships • The Rochester Inner Loop redevelopment • Infrastructure and power challenges for development • Renewable energy and battery storage • Transportation and public transit • Rochester’s economic future • Lessons from public service and running for office Connect with Jeremy Cooney: 🌐 JeremyCooney.com 📱 @SenatorCooney on X, Instagram, and Facebook Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the podcast for more conversations about real estate, business, Rochester, and Upstate New York. #MartyGrizzanti #JeremyCooney #RochesterNY #UpstateNY #RealEstate #Housing #EconomicDevelopment #Infrastructure

  2. Jul 25

    Ep 76 - The Future of Affordable Housing? Jeff Cook Explains PART 2

    Part 2 is here! If you missed Part 1, be sure to listen to it first—we covered the future of affordable housing, manufactured homes, and some of the biggest challenges facing real estate development today. In this episode, Jeff Cook gets personal. We talk about the mistakes he'd make differently, why he wishes he started partnering sooner, how he nearly lost everything during the early 2000s, and what it took to rebuild after experiencing foreclosures and financial hardship. Jeff also shares why building a great team has become one of his proudest accomplishments and how learning to work on the business instead of in it completely changed the way he leads. Whether you're an entrepreneur, real estate investor, business owner, or simply someone pursuing a big goal, this conversation is filled with practical lessons on resilience, leadership, and long-term thinking. In This Episode: • Why Jeff wishes he started partnering sooner • Lessons from early real estate investing • Recovering from foreclosures and financial hardship • Building a leadership team of 120+ employees • Why delegation is essential for growth • The importance of accountability and reliability • Why failure isn't the end—quitting is • The mindset behind long-term success Connect with Jeff Cook: Cook Properties: https://www.cookproperties.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cook-8b004474 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share The Marty Grizzanti Show. New episodes feature conversations with entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, and innovators who are building great businesses and stronger communities.

  3. Jul 20

    Ep 75 - The Future of Affordable Housing? Jeff Cook Explains PART 1

    If you've ever wondered why housing has become so expensive—or why we aren't building enough homes—this episode is for you. I sat down with my friend Jeff Cook, one of New York's leading manufactured housing developers, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing our communities today: housing. Jeff shares why his company shifted from buying manufactured home communities to building them, how rising interest rates changed the industry, and why factory-built housing deserves a fresh look. We explore the differences between manufactured, modular, and site-built homes, Rochester's growing housing shortage, Jeff's vision for transforming vacant city lots into thriving neighborhoods, the Seven Brew development on Jefferson Road, and the infrastructure challenge that's delaying more than 1,000 new homes. This isn't just a conversation about real estate—it's about creating more opportunities for families to achieve homeownership and addressing one of the most pressing issues facing our communities. If you enjoy conversations about business, entrepreneurship, commercial real estate, development, and the future of housing, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. In This Episode: Why Jeff Cook got into development after interest rates changed the marketManufactured homes vs. modular homes: What's the difference?Why affordable housing needs a rebrandThe Seven Brew project on Jefferson RoadRochester's vacant lots and the future of infill developmentThe power infrastructure problem delaying over 1,000 new homesWhy factory-built housing could play a major role in solving the housing crisis Connect with Jeff Cook: Cook Properties: www.cookproperties.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cook-8b004474 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who would find this conversation valuable.

  4. Jul 6

    Ep 74 - What 80 Years in Business Teaches You About Success -with Jeff Skuse

    I sat down with my buddy Jeff Skuse, third-generation owner of Marshall Boxes, a Rochester company that's been around since the 1940s. And honestly, I love conversations like this because Jeff's business is one of those businesses most people never think about—but it's the backbone of manufacturing. We talked about what it takes to keep a family business alive for nearly 80 years, how they've survived recessions, the decline of Kodak and Xerox, supply chain chaos, COVID, and all the ups and downs that come with being a business owner. One thing that really stood out to me was Jeff's mindset around leadership. He's built systems that allow the company to operate without him being involved in every little detail, which is something every entrepreneur can learn from. We also got into: The reality of taking over a family business Why most businesses don't make it to the third generation Building trust with customers The power of cold calling and walking into businesses Sales, leadership, and accountability Why integrity still wins in business How to create a company that lasts longer than you do At the end of the day, this conversation is really about legacy. How do you build something that can survive economic cycles, industry changes, and generations of leadership? Jeff has been doing exactly that. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, salesperson, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, I think you'll get a lot out of this one.

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About

This is the Marty Grizzanti show. As a full-time real estate investor and business owner, I have a real fascination with finding the key principles of business success and personal development. This show is both a reflection of my personal mission and a journey to uncover ways to get ahead in life and business. Join us weekly as I interview high-performers, CEOs, business owners, and athletes to find out what kind of person they had to become to reach the world-class level that they attained.