Top 3

This week, Marcia is joined by Vinnie Potestivo, owner of Vinnie Potestivo Entertainment, Inc. Vinnie is a media and talent innovator who is widely known for his inclusive and impactful approach to brand building and personal brand development. Listen in to hear Vinnie’s experience in the entertainment talent niche and moments of flow in his career.

This week Marcia is joined by Francesca Zampaglione, Founder of Dressed Smart LLC. Francesca shares how she started her business through her passion on presenting yourself and dressing appropriately in the workplace.

In this episode of Top 3, Marcia O'Connor interviewed Elise Lupin, the CEO of Elysium Marketing Group, a full-service marketing agency specializing in food and franchise, among other industries. Lupin shared her journey as an entrepreneur, including her successes and failures. The discussion revolved around how the pandemic affected her business and how she coped with the challenges. Lupin shared how her agency lost a couple of big clients when the pandemic hit. She also talked about how difficult it was to lose clients who had been with her agency since the beginning. However, Lupin didn't let this setback discourage her. She and her team quickly adapted and started focusing on other clients in B2B industries. Lupin's story is inspiring, and it shows that entrepreneurs need to be resilient and adaptable to succeed. The pandemic has affected many businesses, and those that didn't adapt quickly enough have struggled to survive. Lupin's story is a testament to the fact that entrepreneurs can overcome even the toughest challenges with perseverance, hard work, and the ability to adapt. In conclusion, Lupin's story is a great reminder that entrepreneurs must be prepared for unexpected challenges and be willing to adapt to changing circumstances. As Lupin said, "just keep going and don't let this devastate you." The pandemic has been a tough time for everyone, but Lupin's story shows that entrepreneurs can come out stronger on the other side if they are willing to work hard and adapt to the changing business landscape.

On this week of Top 3, Marcia is joined by Peter Joniec, Principle at The Jonus Group, LLC which is a full-service recruiting firm that offers both direct hire and contract hire services for insurance agencies, wholesalers, MGAs, companies, and carriers. Peter dives into company culture and the pivot he made when it came to retaining and building his team. He joined EO to keep evolving for what’s next for The Jonus Group.

Steph McClure, an HR Partner at The O’Connor Group, recently had a compelling conversation with Leslie Slingsby, of Mission Kids, on the Top 3 podcast. The focus was on Mission Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to aiding child abuse victims. Mission Kids provides vital services: forensic interviewing, therapy, and family advocacy, aiding victims of different ages.

Leslie outlined the pivotal role of advocates, paid staff supporting families throughout the complex legal process. Stressing the need for community involvement, Leslie highlighted various ways The O’Connor Group can contribute: volunteering, joining committees or the board, and supporting prevention education programs like Roar, aimed at schools.

The discussion unfolded into the topic of the Young Professionals Board, inviting a new generation to guide Mission Kids' philanthropic endeavors. Additionally, Leslie mentioned how donations, including snacks, teddy bears, and art supplies, play a significant role in supporting their cause. The conversation concluded with a reminder that Mission Kids' success stems from community support and a call for further involvement to protect and heal abused children.