In this episode of Let’s Know Buffalo, we talk with CPA and real estate investor Zach Newberry, who left his 9–5 job before age 40 by mastering tax strategy and rental property investing.

Zach explains the power of proactive tax planning, how most CPAs drop the ball, and why working with someone who understands both business and real estate is a game changer. We cover topics like:

• Real estate tax strategies (including depreciation and entity structure)

• How Zach used house hacking to launch his investment journey

• Using equity to become a private lender

• Financial education and the mindset shift to wealth building

Whether you're a small business owner, real estate investor, or side hustler looking to optimize your finances, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Let's Know Buffalo, we sit down with the co-founders of Wingnutz, two Buffalo guys who turned a passion for wings into one of the city's most respected food brands. They walk us through their journey from experimenting with sauces and smoking wings at home and eventually opening three locations without any outside investors. We talk loyalty, branding, outgrowing your original vision, and how to hold your line when opportunities start knocking.If you’re tired of hearing startup advice from tech bros and want to hear from people who actually built something in the trenches, this one’s for you.#buffalony #wings #buffalowings #entrepreneur

In this episode, we sit down with John Mikulec, founder and CEO of Gameday Hospitality, to unpack his journey from building cornhole boards in his parents’ garage to leading one of the most innovative tailgate production companies in the country. John walks us through how he bootstrapped multiple businesses, including Tailgate Giant and Man Cave Giant, before launching Gameday Hospitality—now managing over 240 events a year across the U.S.

John also opens up about the future of Buffalo’s tailgating scene with the new stadium, the challenges of dealing with entitled customers, and how Buffalo’s blue-collar passion compares to other sports cities. It’s a gritty, detailed, and real conversation on entrepreneurship, sports culture, and scaling experience-driven businesses.

In this episode of Let’s know Buffalo, we talk to Chris Ring, legendary concert promoter, co-owner of Rec Room Buffalo, and founder of After Dark Presents. Chris shares how he built a 25+ year career in music starting with DIY punk shows and roller rink gigs. Hear how he booked Vanilla Ice at 18, flipped college events into a business empire, and became a key figure in Buffalo’s nightlife and hospitality scene.

Now a Kenmore trustee, Chris also discusses how he’s using his voice to drive community growth and advocate for small businesses. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, music lovers, and anyone who believes in making something from nothing.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on socials

Kevin and Joe sit down with Tony Thomas, the mastermind behind Buffalo’s largest real estate photography company. Tony shares his journey from starting out in photography to building the go-to service for real estate professionals across the city. Tune in as Tony reveals industry insights, the secrets to capturing homes that sell, and how he’s grown his business to dominate the Buffalo market. Whether you're in real estate, photography, or simply love stories of entrepreneurial success, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeffrey Gerber, the visionary behind Buffalo's Cleaning Crew. From humble beginnings at McDonald's to becoming a go-to cleaning service in the area, Jeffrey shares the secrets to growing a business in the competitive cleaning industry. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or just curious about what it takes to build a thriving company, this episode is full of insights and inspiration!

We are joined by Dan Hernandez of D-Nice Customs. Dan has an incredible story that took him on a path he never planned on. From falling off a roof in high school, to now owning a successful print shop/custom gifts business, multiple vending machines, and being an AirBnB super host, Dan's story is nothing less than inspiring. He shares his journey as well as insights on what it's like to be in each of the businesses he runs. Thank you Dan for stopping in and giving us a peek into your entrepreneurship journey! Check out D-Nice Customs here: https://www.instagram.com/dnicecustoms

In this episode, we are joined by The Wing King himself, Drew Cerza. Drew is the man behind the Buffalo Wing Festival, the Super Bowl of chicken wings. In this episode, Drew shares how the famous Wing Festival came to be, the challenges he faced, and where you can find the best chicken wings around town. Thank you Drew for stopping in and for sharing your story and your love of chicken wings! Get tickets to this years Wing Fest at buffalowing.com