In this episode we sit down with Sal Longo, self-made entrepreneur, founder of Northern Safety, CEO of Zing Green Safety Products and the driving force behind several of the Mohawk Valley’s most talked-about hospitality destinations. From starting out selling safety products out of the back of his car to building a global company over nearly four decades. Sal shares the lessons he learned along the way about leadership, grit and surrounding yourself with the right people. His story is a reminder that success rarely comes from talent alone, it comes from persistence, trust and a willingness to outwork the competition.

We also dive into what happened after Sal sold Northern Safety and realized retirement wasn’t exactly his style. That realization sparked a new chapter filled with ventures across the region. From launching Zing Green Safety Products, a company focused on sustainable safety gear, to developing beloved local hospitality spots like Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito's, Kuyahoora Resort & Stonebridge. Sal talks about the challenges of entering the restaurant world, rebuilding Valley View, and why creating experiences for the community has become such an important part of his work.

At its core, this conversation is about building things that last. Whether that’s a business, a team or a community. Sal shares what leadership means to him today, why he believes trust and hard work still win in the long run and why he’s proud to keep investing in the Mohawk Valley.

In this episode, we talk about:
• How Sal built Northern Safety from his trunk to a global company
• Why leadership, trust and team culture are the keys to scaling a business
• Launching Zing Green Safety Products and focusing on sustainable manufacturing
• The story behind Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito’s, Stonebridge and investing in local hospitality
• Why Sal believes Utica is on the rise

If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, reinvention and local pride, this episode is packed with perspective from someone who’s spent a lifetime building things right here in the 315.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(1:40) - Scaling Northern Safety & Hands on CEO
(4:00) - Surround Yourself with People You Like
(5:10) - Becoming a Better Leader
(7:25) - Sharing the Power & Trust
(8:30) - Retiring For 10 Months
(9:30) - Never Going Into Hospitality...
(10:30) - Finding & Growing ZING Green Safety Products
(14:45) - Sustainable Safety Products
(17:30) - Continuing to Get Better & Legacy
(20:45) - Getting Into the Hospitality Space
(23:35) - Biggest Surprise in the Restaurant Business
(26:10) - Transforming Valley View
(29:00) - Variety of Menu Options
(33:00) - Stonebridge Golf & Country Club
(34:15) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Sal Longo's Links:
Zing - https://www.zinggreenproducts.com
Roman's - https://romansvalleyview.com
Rocky's - https://rockysonthelake.com
Tito's Tavern - https://titosvalleyview.com
Kuyahoora Resort - https://www.kuyahooraresort.com
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club - https://stonebridgegolfandbanquet.com

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

In this episode we sit down with Ujj Rai, social entrepreneur, community builder and founder of both Muju International Groceries and Nyano. This is one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about what business is really for.

From growing up in Nepal as a pastor’s kid to studying at Harvard and now building companies right here in Utica, Ujj shares how his entire philosophy centers on one thing: fall in love with the problem. For him, business isn’t about chasing profit, it’s about solving real social challenges in sustainable ways.

We dive deep into Nyano, his wellness tech platform that uses your phone’s camera to scan your vitals, no $400 wearable required. While making emotional and physical check-ins simple, accessible and stress-free. But this episode goes far beyond tech. Ujj opens up about why he chose Utica, why creating your own table is more powerful than fighting for a seat at someone else’s and how Muju has evolved into a community hub where cultures connect and stories are shared.

This one is thoughtful, inspiring and packed with perspective. From redefining the American Dream to rethinking what success really means. If you care about entrepreneurship, community, mental health or building something bigger than yourself, this conversation will stick with you.

We Cover:
• What it really means to be a “social entrepreneur”
• How Nyano is making health tracking accessible to everyone
• Why you shouldn’t wait for a seat at the table, build your own
• Turning Muju into a space for culture, food and connection
• Falling in love with the problem instead of chasing the money

Utica is very lucky to have Ujj.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(0:45) - Social Entrepreneurship
(5:00) - Understanding the Problem
(5:30) - Working at Mohawk Valley SBDC
(8:15) - SBDC Services
(10:45) - Celebrating the Success of Others
(11:50) - Creating Your Own Seat
(13:45) - Alternative to $400 Watches
(14:40) - Building the NYANO Tech
(16:45) - Simple Way to Take Care of Yourself
(19:00) - Emojis & Foods
(21:40) - Local Storage Only
(24:45) - Subscription Cost
(26:15) - Social Element
(33:00) - Taking Care of Loved Ones
(37:15) - Evolution of Muju
(43:00) - Winning Together & Abundance
(45:30) - How Nyano Measures
(47:45) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Ujj Rai's Links:
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ujjwal.rai.9
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ujj-rai-884475256
Nyano Website - https://nyano.life
Nyano IG - https://www.instagram.com
Nyano Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyanolife
Muju FB - https://www.facebook.com/1310MujuGoLLC
Muju IG - https://www.instagram.com/muju_store1

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Chef Tim Hardiman, founder of Hardiman Hospitality, co-founder of Tailor and the Cook and host of The Hospitalitarian Podcast for a conversation that goes way beyond what’s on the plate. Tim shares how being born into the restaurant world shaped his path, and how his son’s early food allergies completely transformed the way he thinks about sourcing, cooking, and feeding people. What started as a personal shift at home turned into a farm-to-table movement that helped change the way our entire region looks at food.

We dive deep into the why behind local sourcing, the realities of restaurant economics and the details most people never notice. Tim breaks down what hospitality really means, why before-and-after the transaction matters just as much as during and how intentional service creates lifelong loyalty. We absolutely geek out about New York State wine & cooking at home.

Now in this next chapter with Hardiman Hospitality, Tim is bringing the experience straight to your kitchen with private in-home dinners, interactive cooking classes, wine education and a podcast spotlighting the stories behind the food, farms, and makers of New York. It’s thoughtful, it’s intentional and it’s deeply rooted in community.

We Discuss:
• What sparked Tim’s farm-to-table philosophy
• Why using the whole animal matters (and what that really means)
• The true definition of hospitality and how to go beyond the transaction
• Why local food isn’t as expensive as people think
• What’s next for Hardiman Hospitality, cooking classes, and NY wine advocacy

If you love food, wine, business, or just thoughtful conversation about doing things the right way this one’s for you 🍷🍽️

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(1:00) - Born in the Business
(2:00) - Local Food Economy
(3:15) - Focus on the Source
(7:00) - Local Wines
(9:00) - Starting Hardiman Hospitality
(11:20) - Difference in Quality
(12:45) - European Experience
(14:45) - Economics of Local Sourcing
(16:30) - Cooking For Smaller Parties
(18:45) - Kitchen Requirements?
(22:15) - Only So Many Filets
(25:15) - Tim's New Podcast
(27:15) - Centralized Stores & Co-Ops
(32:20) - Mohawk Valley
(33:40) - Changes From Pandemic
(35:50) - Defining Hospitality
(38:30) - Beyond the Transaction
(41:00) - Details Matter
(44:35) - What's Next?
(50:00) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Tim's Links:
Website - https://www.hardimanhospitality.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hospitalitarianpod
Hospitality IG - https://www.instagram.com/hardimanhospitality
Podcast IG - https://www.instagram.com/hospitalitarianpod
FB - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org