Failing Forward

Tim Petrey, CPA, CGMA

This show is all about the other side of success. We talk to entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who aren’t afraid to share the mistakes they’ve made because if there's one thing we know for sure, it’s this: every setback is just a setup for something bigger—if you’re willing to learn from it.

  1. Building Brands: Jeff's Journey Through Loss, Life's Pivots, & the Power of 898

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    Building Brands: Jeff's Journey Through Loss, Life's Pivots, & the Power of 898

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 15 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with Jeff Ryznar, Founder and President of 898 Marketing — a nationally recognized agency built on service, integrity, and doing the right thing, no matter what. Jeff’s journey spans global ad agencies, professional sports, Silicon Valley startups, and ultimately a return home to build something meaningful. Along the way, failure showed up in unexpected moments — cutting a honeymoon short, walking away from “dream jobs,” redefining success, and learning that career wins don’t always equal life wins. In our conversation, we dive into: • The failures that shaped Jeff’s career and personal priorities • Why walking away from success can be the hardest — and right — decision • How loss, grief, and belief led to the creation of 898 Marketing • Redefining success beyond titles, recognition, and growth charts • The role of partnership, family, and integrity in long-term leadership • Teaching failure, resilience, and perspective to the next generation This episode is a reminder that failure doesn’t define you — how you respond to it does. 🎧 Tune in for an episode on courage, clarity, and choosing growth when the path ahead isn’t certain. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and learning from the moments that shape us. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts🔗 Connect with Us: LinkedIn + Instagram💬 Join the conversation:What’s one leadership lesson that’s shaped your journey? Drop it in the comments—or share how mentorship has helped you “fail forward.” #LeadershipPodcast #Entrepreneurship #FailingForward #ResilientLeadership #Mentorship #CommunityImpact #BusinessGrowth

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  2. From Bankruptcy to Breakthrough: How Mark Lamoncha Turned Industrial Athletes Into Champions

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    From Bankruptcy to Breakthrough: How Mark Lamoncha Turned Industrial Athletes Into Champions

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 14 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with Mark Lamoncha, CEO of Humtown Products, to unpack one of the most dramatic reinventions in modern manufacturing. In 2008, Mark watched his family business collapse from 220 employees to just three. On the brink of bankruptcy—and often running machines himself in the middle of the night—he was forced to confront a hard truth: the traditional way of leading people and running a company was broken. What followed wasn’t just a turnaround—it was a complete reimagining of work. By treating factory workers like industrial athletes, introducing real-time performance visibility, and blending technology with a people-first philosophy, Mark built a culture that transformed productivity, engagement, and profitability—earning national recognition and reshaping how manufacturing leaders think about their teams. In our conversation, we dive into: • The failure that nearly ended a multi-generation family business • What it’s like to lead when everything you built is on the line • Why traditional pay structures often punish high performers • The creation of the Visual Earnings System and real-time gamification • Treating employees as athletes—and leaders as coaches • How culture, trust, and alignment drive sustainable growth • What “failing forward” really looks like when survival is the only option 🎧 Tune in for a powerful, honest conversation about leadership under pressure, bold mindset shifts, and how failure can become the foundation for something far greater. 🔔 Subscribe for more: If stories of resilience, leadership, and reinvention inspire you, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple 🔗 Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn + FB/IG 💬 Join the conversation: What failure pushed you to rethink everything—and ultimately made you better? Drop it in the comments and keep failing forward. #FailingForward #LeadershipPodcast #Manufacturing #IndustrialAthlete #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #BusinessTransformation #FailForward

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  3. From One Store to a National Legacy: Leonard Fisher on Growth, Integrity, & Preserving Tradition

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    From One Store to a National Legacy: Leonard Fisher on Growth, Integrity, & Preserving Tradition

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 16 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with Leonard “Lenny” Fisher, Chairman of the Board and long-time steward of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream — the iconic brand that went from a beloved Youngstown ice cream stand to a nationally recognized franchise loved for its fresh, handcrafted scoops.  Lenny’s story is one of tradition, perseverance, and honoring legacy while bravely scaling a business. After purchasing the original single-store operation from founder Alice Handel in 1985, he dedicated himself not only to preserving her original recipes, but also to growing the brand across the country. Along the way, he faced the challenges of turning tradition into expansion, leading with integrity, and navigating the highs and lows that come with scaling a beloved local favorite into a national force.  In our conversation, we dive into: • What it meant to take on a legacy business — and not change a thing about what made it special • The early struggles of transitioning from one shop to a franchise model • Why staying true to quality and community mattered more than shortcuts • How personal loss and purpose shaped his leadership and philanthropy • Creating culture in a family-oriented business without losing heart • Lessons in resilience, humility, and long-term vision This episode is a reminder that staying humble, honoring your roots, and growing with heart is not just good business — it’s the foundation of lasting success. 🎧 Tune in for an episode on grit, tradition, and doing the right thing even when it’s hard. 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, resilience, and learning from the moments that shape us. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple Podcasts 🔗 Connect with Us: LinkedIn + Instagram 💬 Join the conversation: What’s one tradition in your life or business you’ve committed to preserving — even when change seemed easier? Drop your answer below! #LeadershipPodcast #FailingForward #Entrepreneurship #LegacyLeadership #Resilience #CommunityDriven #BusinessGrowth

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  4. Pizza, Beer & The City of Youngstown

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    Pizza, Beer & The City of Youngstown

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 11 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with two local powerhouses who have helped shape the culture, flavor, and identity of Youngstown: the team behind Penguin City Brewing and the creator of Youngstown Pizza Reviews. Penguin City has become one of Youngstown’s most recognizable brands — a brewery built on grit, community, and the belief that a hometown business can bring people together. Youngstown Pizza Reviews has turned a simple love of pizza into a platform that connects locals, highlights small businesses, and celebrates the food that defines this city. Together, they represent two sides of the same story: passionate locals using creativity, consistency, and a whole lot of trial-and-error to lift their community and build something meaningful. In our conversation, we dive into: • The early days of building a Youngstown-born brand from scratch • The challenges of staying authentic while growing a loyal following • How community support — and criticism — shaped their direction • Lessons learned from turning passion projects into real, operational businesses • The role of storytelling, transparency, and local pride in building trust • What “failing forward” looks like in the world of food, reviews, and craft brewing 🎧 Tune in for a conversation filled with energy, honesty, laughter, and the real stories behind two brands that have become part of Youngstown’s identity. 🔔 Subscribe for more: If stories of leadership, resilience, and local entrepreneurship inspire you, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple 🔗 Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn + FB/IG 💬 Join the conversation: What local business or creator inspires you to keep pushing forward? Drop it in the comments — and keep failing forward. #FailingForward #LeadershipPodcast #Youngstown #Entrepreneurship #PenguinCity #YoungstownPizzaReviews #FailForward #LocalBusiness #CommunityBuilders

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  5. Scoops, Setbacks & Success: The Jaffer Family Story

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    Scoops, Setbacks & Success: The Jaffer Family Story

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 10 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with Adil and Leigh Jaffer — the husband-and-wife team behind multiple Handel’s Ice Cream locations and a family legacy that’s been built through hard work, grit, and a whole lot of learning on the fly. Leigh grew up inside the iconic Handel’s brand after her parents purchased the business from founder Alice Handel. Adil built a successful medical practice before stepping into the unpredictable world of retail, franchising, and multi-location expansion. Together, they’ve learned to balance marriage, business, parenting, and the realities of entrepreneurship — all while keeping tradition at the heart of their growth. In our conversation, Adil & Leigh open up about: • The unglamorous truths of growing up in a family business — and the lessons that stuck • Transitioning from medicine to ice cream, and the identity shift that came with it • The hardest disagreements they’ve had as business partners — and how they worked through them • Expanding from one store to four, and the failures they had to learn the hard way • Parenting two sons while running multiple businesses and keeping their marriage strong • What “failing forward” means when you’re responsible for a beloved local brand and a growing team 🎧 Tune in for a conversation filled with authenticity, laughter, transparency, and the real stories behind scaling a family business while keeping your values at the center. 🔔 Subscribe for more: If stories of leadership, resilience, and growth inspire you, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple 🔗 Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn + FB/IG 💬 Join the conversation: What’s one lesson from a family business or partnership that shaped how you lead today? Share it below — and keep failing forward. #FailingForward #LeadershipPodcast #FamilyBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ResilientLeadership #HandelsIceCream #BusinessGrowth #FailForward #Youngstown

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  6. From Finance to Community Impact: Matthew Longmire’s Path Forward

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    From Finance to Community Impact: Matthew Longmire’s Path Forward

    FAILING FORWARD PODCAST – EPISODE 13 🎙️ In this episode of Failing Forward, host Tim Petrey sits down with Matthew Longmire — economic development professional at Valley Partners and dedicated advocate for small businesses across Northeast Ohio. Matthew’s journey is one of purpose-driven leadership, community investment, and learning how to turn setbacks into stepping stones for growth. From helping entrepreneurs secure funding to fostering long-term sustainability, his work is proof that local business success drives community success. In our conversation, Matthew opens up about: • The lessons learned helping small businesses navigate challenges and funding hurdles • Why sustainable growth matters more than quick wins • How failure can serve as the foundation for strategic leadership • The power of community, connection, and Cleveland pride 🎧 Tune in for a conversation that dives into perseverance, purpose, and what it truly means to “fail forward” — one small business at a time. 🔔 Subscribe for more: If stories of leadership, growth, and resilience inspire you, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode. 🎧 Listen on: Spotify | YouTube | Apple 🔗 Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn + FB/IG 💬 Join the conversation: What’s one lesson you’ve learned from failure that shaped your career? Share it below — and keep failing forward. #FailingForward #LeadershipPodcast #CommunityImpact #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #ValleyPartners #ResilientLeadership #PurposeDriven

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حول

This show is all about the other side of success. We talk to entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators who aren’t afraid to share the mistakes they’ve made because if there's one thing we know for sure, it’s this: every setback is just a setup for something bigger—if you’re willing to learn from it.