In this episode I talk to Joe Chura who began his career on the Ford assembly line at age 20, reading his college textbooks seconds at a time in between building cars. Over the next decade Joe gained experience at many different levels in the automotive industry — including Ford Marketing and Sales, dealership General Manager, and BDC Manager. With a passion for both computer programming and selling cars, Joe co-founded Dealer Inspire (DI) to build new solutions to help dealers win. In a few short years, Dealer Inspire has grown to 600 employees serving over 3,000 clients and 27 OEM brands with game-changing innovation.

Success Trails Podcast

Joe Chura:"Build it yourself, hire to scale"

In this first full episode of 2021 I sit down with Marshall McCarty Chef/Owner of The Walrus Room in Geneva and Owner of The Burger Shops with locations in Geneva and Saint Charles.  Marshall's 18 year hospitality career started in college, as a bartender while getting a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication. From there he's worked in a wide variety of restaurant concepts from fast food to fine dining and in every position from dishwasher to General Manager. Each experience built the foundation he would later use to create the restaurant concepts he owns an operates today.

Marshall McCarty:"Still Cutting The Onions"

Listen to some of my favorite tips from our guests over this past year. 

Success Trails Podcast Best Of 2020

Tim went from IT nerd(sorry Tim) to starting and running his own successful business. His business Magnitech in which he started 10 years ago is growing each year and is an industry leader. Tim is full of knowledge and has some great insight in how to build the right culture for your business to excel. 

Tim Pabich:"You don't know everything"

Could you imagine opening a business in a pandemic? Well, that is exactly what Ed Symbol did when he opened Ed's Basement his next business venture. Learn how Ed managed to open a business in chaos and how he has succeed with other business ventures. Ed is a veteran in the hospitality industry and has learned what it takes to treat people the right way in order to thrive in business.

Ed Simbol:"Welcome To My Basement"

Michael LaFido is a real estate consultant and top-producing Realtor with over twenty years of experience in the real estate industry. Michael’s marketing has been the featured cover story in Crain’s Chicago Business and highlighted in Forbes and FOX News Chicago Business Hour. He is also the author of the books “Luxury Listing Specialist”, “Outside The Box”, and “Marketing Luxury”. In this episode you will hear Michael talk about how he went from knowing nothing to real estate to becoming one of the most successful realtors in the area. Michael also talks about the importance of thinking like a marketer no matter what industry you are in. 

Michael LaFido:"Think Like A Marketer"

Frank owns and operates Dominick's Pizza in the western suburbs of Chicago. Frank has been in the industry since he was young and has helped transform his dads business along with his siblings into the success it is today. 

Frank Lazzara:"It's Family"

Self proclaimed beer nerd, Dave is an entrepreneur who has two craft beer stores in the suburbs of Chicago. In this episode Dave talks about what he did during the COVID lockdown and how his business continue to grow today in a competitive market. 

Dave Hawley:"The Beer Man"

Allison and Natalie are sisters and business partners in their women's clothing and gift store called Blonde Boutique. Natalie's background in fashion paired with her sisters business insight has helped their business thrive. As busy moms these ladies have balanced their family and business life. 

Allison & Natalie Smith:"Sister Power"

Judy, founder of K'Tizo Tea, is passionate about tea, enjoying the history and traditions that binds tea and culture together.Judy also owns and operates Cafe K'Tizo which sells tea, coffee and small food items. Judy has built a great community feel at her cafe and has tons of knowledge in building a strong team.

Judy Duncan:"Creating A Community Through Tea"

Pat Bartel owns and operates Bartel's Auto Clinic which has three locations throughout the Chicagoland suburbs. Learn what its like to get into the family business and to grow it to the next level. 

Pat Bartel:"Quality Is Long Remembered"

Michael Perich is one successful and entertaining entrepreneur. Not only does he own his own retail store but he also built a very successful makeup and skin care line from the ground up. What I love about this episode is the message Michael shares that everything doesn't have to be about money or about what others want you to be. It is all about you and what you want!

Michael Perich:"Be Authentic"

Leah is a speaker, author and owner of Vision Force marketing. In this episode Leah speaks of the challenges of running a marketing business with your spouse. She also gives some advice to business owners on marketing and much more!

11. Leah Hoppes:"Marketing Maven"

Mario Spina is the owner and CEO of Parent Petroleum. Mario took over a family business from his father and has continued to grow the business.He has experience in the petroleum industry, convenience stores and real estate.   

Mario Spina: "Have Pride"

Nick is the CEO of one of the top ten busiest independent pizza companies in per-store sales in the U.S. In an industry in which the average annual turnover rate is more than 150 percent, Nick’s Pizza & Pub boasts less than a 25 percent employee turnover rate. Nick’s restaurants have won the National Restaurant Association/American Express “Good Neighbor Award” four times and have been featured in Chicago’s Bestfor having “Great Pizza and [a Great] Company.”

Nick Sarillo: A slice of the pie

Interviews with small business owners and entreprenuers. These successful individuals share their tips/strategies that they are implementing that can help you achieve great success like them. Remember that success ALWAYS leaves a trail.

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Success Trails Podcast

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