New Jersey Business Podcast

Paul J Valverde
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast is for thriving business owners and entrepreneurs that are all about helping out, thinking positive, being real, making money and respecting others. You will get tons of value from local businesspeople as they share about their journey and secret to success.

  1. 4d ago

    The Problem No Business Owner Wants to Admit

    Most entrepreneurs think their biggest challenge is marketing. Or sales. Or cash flow. Or finding more customers. But one of the biggest challenges business owners face is something that rarely gets talked about: Loneliness. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul and Vanessa Valverde have an honest conversation about the hidden emotional side of entrepreneurship and why so many business owners feel isolated while building their businesses. Entrepreneurship often looks exciting from the outside. Freedom. Flexibility. Growth. Opportunity. But behind the scenes, many entrepreneurs carry responsibilities, pressures, decisions, and uncertainties that few people truly understand. Friends and family may support you. Employees may appreciate you. Customers may value your work. But that does not always mean they understand what it feels like to be responsible for building and sustaining a business. This episode explores why entrepreneurship can feel so lonely, the hidden costs of isolation, why traditional networking often fails to solve the problem, and why meaningful community may be one of the most overlooked success tools available to entrepreneurs. Paul and Vanessa also share personal experiences from building New Jersey Business Media, launching the New Jersey Business Podcast, creating entrepreneurial communities, and observing the common struggles business owners face regardless of industry. This conversation is not about business tactics. It's about the human side of entrepreneurship. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough is not another strategy. It's finding the right people to walk the journey with you. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why entrepreneurship often feels lonely • Why many entrepreneurs feel misunderstood • The emotional weight of business ownership • How isolation impacts business performance • The connection between loneliness and decision-making • The hidden costs of trying to do everything yourself • Why stress and pressure increase when entrepreneurs isolate themselves • The difference between networking and genuine community • Why networking events often leave entrepreneurs feeling disconnected • What entrepreneurs are really looking for beyond business contacts • Why accountability accelerates personal and business growth • The role mentors and peers play in entrepreneurial success • Why information alone does not create transformation • What entrepreneurs need more than marketing advice • Common struggles business owners experience regardless of industry • The importance of trusted relationships • How community can become a competitive advantage • Practical ways to build meaningful entrepreneurial relationships • What to do if you're currently feeling isolated in your business • Why success becomes more sustainable when shared 🎙 About this episode This episode is part of an ongoing conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, personal growth, and building successful businesses. Paul and Vanessa discuss lessons learned from their own entrepreneurial journey and share insights gathered through conversations with countless business owners, founders, leaders, and entrepreneurs. 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    27 min

  2. Jun 4

    Most Business Owners Don't Understand Marketing. Here's the Problem.

    Most business owners think they have a marketing problem. But the real problem is this: They're doing marketing activities without a marketing strategy. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Tom Mirabella, owner of Wingman Planning, to break down why so many businesses struggle to generate consistent growth despite investing time, money, and effort into marketing. This conversation is not really about marketing. It's about strategy, planning, business growth, decision-making, resource allocation, trust, and understanding how all the pieces of your business work together to drive results. Tom shares what he has learned after more than 17 years of helping businesses grow, including why most business owners approach marketing the wrong way, why random tactics rarely produce meaningful results, and how disconnected marketing efforts create frustration, wasted budgets, and stalled growth. This episode challenges the way entrepreneurs think about marketing. Because marketing is not a collection of tactics. It's a system. If you feel like you're constantly trying new marketing ideas, spending money on ads, posting on social media, updating your website, and still not seeing the growth you expected, this episode will completely change the way you think about marketing, strategy, and business growth. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why most business owners feel like their marketing isn't working • The biggest misconceptions entrepreneurs have about marketing • Why marketing should be viewed as a complete system • How branding, websites, SEO, social media, and advertising work together • Why disconnected marketing efforts fail to produce results • The hidden cost of operating without a marketing plan • How to align marketing activities with business goals • Why budget and capacity impact growth more than most people realize • The dangers of unrealistic marketing expectations • Why customized strategies outperform generic marketing packages • How to think strategically about marketing decisions • Where business owners should focus first when building a marketing strategy • The true cost of doing all your marketing yourself • When it makes sense to hire professional help • Why trust and reputation are critical for conversions • How customer reviews influence business growth • The biggest changes happening in marketing today • How AI is changing the marketing landscape • What business owners should do if they feel stuck with their marketing • Why consistency beats random tactics every time 🌍 About our guest Tom Mirabella is the owner of Wingman Planning, a marketing agency focused on helping businesses create strategic growth plans that align branding, digital marketing, advertising, SEO, websites, and business objectives. With more than 17 years of experience, Tom works with organizations to develop customized marketing systems designed to drive sustainable growth, increase visibility, and generate measurable results. Website https://wingmanplanning.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wingman_tom/ https://www.instagram.com/wingmanplanningllc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommirabella/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/wingman-planning/ 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    46 min
  3. The Hidden Cost of Never Taking Time Off

    May 21

    The Hidden Cost of Never Taking Time Off

    Most business owners think working nonstop is a sign of commitment. But the real problem is this: The longer you go without real rest… …the worse your decisions become. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Joe Leo, owner of JBL Travel Group, to break down why so many entrepreneurs struggle to disconnect from their business and how intentional time off can dramatically improve clarity, performance, leadership, and long-term growth. This conversation is not really about travel. It's about burnout, mental fatigue, decision-making, systems, recovery, and learning how to step away from your business without losing control. Joe shares what he has seen after helping clients plan high-value trips and vacations for more than 14 years, including why so many business owners wait too long to take time off, why most vacations fail to actually recharge people, and how poor planning creates even more stress instead of relief. This episode challenges the way entrepreneurs think about productivity, hustle culture, and rest. Because rest is not laziness. It's strategy. If you constantly feel overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, unable to disconnect, or trapped inside your business, this episode will completely change the way you think about time off, recovery, and business performance. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why most business owners struggle to take time off • How burnout affects decision-making and performance • Why nonstop work creates long-term business problems • The difference between escaping and true recovery • Why most vacations fail to help people recharge • How systems determine your ability to disconnect • Why entrepreneurs stay mentally connected on vacation • How to structure intentional time off correctly • The biggest mistakes people make when planning vacations • Why waiting too long creates more stress and higher costs • The hidden risks of planning trips completely on your own • Why support matters most when things go wrong • How travel advisors reduce stress, friction, and uncertainty • What type of environments actually help you disconnect • Why strategic rest improves leadership and clarity • How stepping away can make your business stronger 🌍 About our guest Joe Leo is the owner of JBL Travel Group, a Cruise Planners franchise focused on helping individuals, families, and business owners plan seamless travel experiences. With more than 14 years of experience in the travel industry, Joe specializes in personalized trip planning, logistics coordination, risk management, and helping clients create stress-free experiences that allow them to truly disconnect and recharge. Website https://www.jbltravelgroup.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cruiseplannersjoeleo/ 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    42 min
  4. The Smarter Way to Scale Your Business with Remote Employees

    May 14

    The Smarter Way to Scale Your Business with Remote Employees

    Most business owners think they need better time management. But the real problem is this: They're doing too much themselves. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Nick Kiridzic, founder of Staff Hero, to break down why so many entrepreneurs become the bottleneck in their own business and how virtual employees can completely change the way a company operates and scales. This conversation is not just about outsourcing. It's about leverage, delegation, systems, time freedom, and building a business that doesn't depend entirely on the owner. Nick shares the lessons he learned from trying to do everything himself, the mistakes most business owners make when hiring remotely, and the difference between hiring cheap help versus building a real operational system with reliable people. This episode challenges the way entrepreneurs think about delegation, growth, productivity, and leadership. Because scaling a business is not about working more. It's about removing yourself from the wrong things. If you feel overwhelmed, overworked, stuck in day-to-day operations, or constantly running out of time, this episode will completely change the way you think about hiring, delegation, and business growth. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why most business owners become the bottleneck • The real reason entrepreneurs run out of time • Why doing everything yourself limits growth • The difference between virtual assistants and virtual employees • What tasks business owners should delegate first • Why most people fail when hiring remotely • The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make with outsourcing • How to structure and manage remote teams effectively • What makes a remote hire successful • How delegation increases profitability and scalability • Why systems matter more than cheap labor • How to buy back your time as a founder • Why scaling requires letting go of low-value tasks • How remote employees create leverage inside a business 🌍 About our guest Nick Kiridzic is the founder of Staff Hero, a company that helps business owners build remote teams using global talent. Through his work with entrepreneurs and growing companies, Nick focuses on helping founders free up time, eliminate operational bottlenecks, and create scalable systems through strategic hiring and delegation. Website https://www.staffhero.co/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-kiridzic-04218a122/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/staffhero/ 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    43 min
  5. Employees Don't Quit Jobs, They Quit Leaders

    May 7

    Employees Don't Quit Jobs, They Quit Leaders

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:5b0d3202-ad5b-462d-b3b4-308b3106a0e6-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-10" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Most business owners think employees leave because of money. But in reality, people rarely leave the job. They leave the leadership. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Diana to break down what actually makes people stay, grow, and commit to a company long term. This conversation goes beyond hiring and management. It's about culture, leadership, emotional salary, trust, communication, and the responsibility leaders carry when building teams. Diana shares real insights from years of leadership experience, including what most companies get wrong about retention, why culture cannot be faked, and how leadership directly impacts performance, loyalty, and growth. This episode challenges the way entrepreneurs think about employees, company culture, and leadership. Because keeping great people is not just about compensation. It's about how people feel inside your company. This is not corporate theory. This is real leadership. If you're building a business, leading a team, or struggling with employee retention, this episode will change the way you think about culture, leadership, and growth. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why employees don't actually leave because of money • The real reason great employees quit • What "emotional salary" means in leadership • How company culture affects retention and growth • The leadership mistakes that push people away • Why communication matters more than most leaders realize • How trust is built inside a company • What people truly want from leadership • Why culture starts at the top • How strong leadership creates long term loyalty • The difference between managing people and leading people • Why businesses lose great employees without realizing it 🌍 About our guest Diana is a leadership professional focused on culture, people development, and organizational growth. Through years of experience leading teams and helping businesses grow, she has developed a people-first approach to leadership centered around trust, communication, and long term retention. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/babcoservice/ Website https://www.babcoservicellc.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/babco-facility-services/ 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    47 min
  6. The #1 Rule Before You Enter Any Business Partnership

    Apr 30

    The #1 Rule Before You Enter Any Business Partnership

    Most entrepreneurs try to build everything alone. Very few understand how much that decision limits their growth. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Mark Seruya, Senior Managing Director at KSR, investor, and capital raiser, to break down how partnerships actually work in business. This conversation goes beyond the idea of "finding a partner." It's about leverage, trust, decision-making, and why the biggest opportunities rarely happen alone. Mark has built and operated across capital markets, real estate, and multiple industries for decades. He has been part of over 20 partnerships and has seen firsthand how the right partner can accelerate growth… and how the wrong one can destroy value. This episode challenges the way most entrepreneurs think about control, ownership, and scaling. This is not theory. This is how real partnerships are built. If you're building a business, considering a partnership, or currently working with partners, this episode will change how you evaluate people, structure deals, and think about growth. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why doing business alone limits your growth • How partnerships create leverage and access bigger opportunities • The #1 rule before entering any partnership • Why the person matters more than the deal • The biggest mistakes that destroy partnerships • How ego and lack of clarity create conflict • How to define roles and "stay in your lane" • What trust and transparency look like in real business • How partnerships unlock access to capital, deals, and expertise • Why you don't need to be the expert in everything • The mindset shift from operator to strategic partner 🌍 About our guest Mark Seruya is a Senior Managing Director at KSR, investor, and capital raiser with decades of experience across finance, business, and real estate. He has participated in and managed multi-billion dollar operations and is actively involved in over 20 partnerships across different industries. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-seruya/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/risewithmark_/ Website https://risewithmark.com/ 📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    37 min
  7. Cómo dejar de ser empleado y empezar a construir un negocio real

    Apr 23

    Cómo dejar de ser empleado y empezar a construir un negocio real

    La mayoría de los emprendedores creen que tienen un negocio. En realidad, han creado un trabajo donde ellos son el centro de todo. En este episodio del New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul y Vanessa conversan con Leidy Omana, fundadora de Wonderful Cleaning, para analizar lo que realmente implica dejar de trabajar dentro del negocio y empezar a dirigirlo. Esta conversación no es sobre limpieza. Es sobre una transición que muchos intentan y pocos logran ejecutar bien. Leidy comenzó trabajando sola, manejando cada cliente, cada servicio y cada decisión. Días largos, márgenes bajos y una dependencia total de su tiempo. Si ella no trabajaba, el negocio se detenía. En algún punto, eso dejó de ser sostenible. Este episodio explora el momento real en el que todo empieza a cambiar. La decisión de dejar de hacerlo todo, el miedo a perder control y el proceso de construir algo que puede funcionar sin estar presente todo el tiempo. Esto no se trata de escalar rápido. Se trata de dar el primer paso para salir de la operación diaria. Esto no es teoría. Es lo que ocurre en la vida real cuando empiezas a construir un negocio que no depende completamente de ti. Si hoy tu negocio depende de tu tiempo, tu presencia y tu esfuerzo para funcionar, este episodio va a cambiar la forma en la que ves el crecimiento, el control y lo que significa realmente ser dueño de un negocio. 💡 En este episodio aprenderás: • Por qué la mayoría de los emprendedores se quedan atrapados trabajando en su negocio • Qué cambia cuando decides dejar de ser el centro de todo • El miedo real al contratar a tu primera persona • Por qué delegar se siente incómodo al principio • Qué se necesita para empezar a confiar en un equipo • Cómo sistemas simples pueden crear consistencia • El rol de checklists, reportes y estructura en las operaciones • Por qué aceptar cualquier cliente puede frenar tu crecimiento • Cómo establecer reglas y condiciones cambia tu negocio • Qué pasa cuando el negocio empieza a funcionar sin ti • El cambio de mentalidad necesario para pasar de operador a dueño 🌍 Sobre nuestra invitada Leidy Omana es la fundadora de Wonderful Cleaning, un negocio de servicios que comenzó trabajando sola y que hoy opera con equipo, procesos y soporte administrativo. Su experiencia refleja el proceso real de construir desde cero y aprender a salir de la operación para empezar a dirigir. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thewonderfulcleaning.lady/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderfulcleaning Website https://wonderfulcleaner.com/ 📲 Síguenos y conecta: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial   🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    35 min
  8. Nobody Warns You About This in Leadership

    Apr 16

    Nobody Warns You About This in Leadership

    Most people want to become leaders. Very few understand what leadership actually requires. In this episode of the New Jersey Business Podcast, Paul & Vanessa sit down with Catherine Wilson, CEO of United Way of Greater Newark, to break down the reality of leadership beyond the title. This conversation goes deeper than strategy or decision-making. It's about pressure, responsibility, uncertainty, and growing in real time while leading others. Catherine has spent over a decade navigating complex environments, high-stakes decisions, and community impact. She stepped into leadership early and had to develop the mindset, resilience, and clarity required to lead without feeling fully prepared. This episode strips away the romanticized version of leadership and replaces it with what it actually feels like, especially in your first 10 years. This is not theory. This is what leadership looks like in real life. If you're currently leading or stepping into leadership, this episode will challenge how you think about growth, decision-making, and responsibility. 💡 In this episode, you'll learn: • Why early leadership is messy, reactive, and uncertain • What no one tells you about pressure and responsibility • How to make decisions without having all the answers • The difference between early-stage and mature leadership • How confidence and judgment evolve over time • Why leadership can feel isolating • How to lead people who may know more than you • The role mentorship plays in leadership growth • What to focus on in your first 5 years as a leader • The mindset required to grow without feeling ready 🌍 About our guest Catherine Wilson is the CEO of United Way of Greater Newark, where she has led high-impact initiatives and navigated complex leadership challenges for over a decade. Her experience reflects the reality of growing into leadership while carrying real responsibility. https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinep-wilson/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-way-greater-newark/  📲 Follow & connect: NJ Business Podcast https://www.instagram.com/newjerseybusinesspodcast Paul Valverde https://www.instagram.com/paulvalverdeofficial Vanessa Valverde https://www.instagram.com/vanessavalverdeofficial 🟢 Spotify | 🟣 Apple Podcasts | 🔴 YouTube

    41 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

This podcast is for thriving business owners and entrepreneurs that are all about helping out, thinking positive, being real, making money and respecting others. You will get tons of value from local businesspeople as they share about their journey and secret to success.

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