Profiles in the American Dream

From his humble beginnings in local theatre productions to a stint at MTV and then to Broadway, John McDonald has always kept his roots in Quincy. His career in the performing arts have covered just about everything one could imagine. But it all comes back to first creation, as a teenager who dreamed big, JM Productions. Listen to the story of his roller-coaster life in the fast-lane, the slow-lane and sometimes the breakdown-lane.

Mindi Sokoloski knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a photographer. What she didn’t know then was that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones, as they are commonly known, would be her ticket to a whole new and exciting world of photography. Hear Mindi tell us how her business, MS Aerial, literally “took off!”

George Brewster took the family vehicle for a ride at age 14. The family vehicle was an ambulance! George has lived an extraordinary life as the “main man” at Brewster Ambulance, working with his mother to save the company after the death of his father. Listen to him tell me about the ups and downs of building, selling and then rebuilding the business with his sons. And hear him dish on some of his famous “passengers”!

Who in their right mind would challenge Dunkin Donuts on their home turf in Quincy? Jenn Ormond and her team at Coffee Break Cafe, that’s who! Listen to how and why she decided to do battle with the large coffee chains and why she believes Coffee Break brews a better “cup of joe.”

Sometimes taking a risk and starting your own business will make your mother cry. But if you believe in yourself and you’ve found the path, like Akash Savdharia, you go for it! Listen to how Akash and his team founded Patheer, a better way to job search.

How cool would it be to be in the pig roasting business (unless of course you are the pig!)? Thats how David Jensen got his entrepreneurial start, creating DMC Barbecue while in college. David’s business sense has taken him far and now he serves as the COO of Lighthouse Media Solutions. Listen to his inspiring story.

When he was working in the newspaper business he described it like “being a dinosaur and seeing the meteor about to hit the earth! Instead of becoming extinct, Jonathan Shubow reinvented himself as a “Google guru and SEO savant.” Listen to Jon’s moving life story and his professional transformation at SERPCOM.

Ever wanted to serve on a corporate board or understand how they operate? Mark Rogers turned his fascination with that world into a successful business. Listen to Mark tell how he stumbled, failed and finally succeeded in turning Board Prospects, into the “LinkedIn” of the corporate board world.

She came to America from Vietnam when she was eight years old—arriving on Halloween night! But that wasn’t enough to scare Mai Du. The dream began by teaching young students Kung Fu & Tai Chi in her driveway, eventually leading to her opening two studios. Listen to Sifu Mai discuss how she keeps her culture alive and helps others achieve healthy lifestyles.

If you think that radio is a dying medium think again! Not all advertising needs to be on Google and Facebook says media and marketing man Mark Forrester, of Marcus Myles Media. Listen as Mark tells us the secrets of the trade. Presented by The Quincy Chamber of Commerce.

Are you worried about retirement? Kevin Stoddard of Stoddard Financial is the man with a plan! Listen to Kevin tell his story about how he found his true calling. Presented by The Quincy Chamber of Commerce.

When cousins get together to run a business watch out! Listen to Will & Mackenzie O’Connell tell their story about what it takes to bring the family business to the next level.

Back-to-back shows on hair! If you think I am still traumatized by the buzz-cuts my father inflicted on me as a young man you might be right. Ron Affsa, owner of HPO, has a different recollection of what it’s like to be obsessed with hair. Listen to his “hair-raising” story of growing up in the family business.

Hair is so important to a person’s well-being and self-image. That’s what makes cutting and styling hair such a great business opportunity. Listen to Sara Little, founder and lead stylist at LittleField Salon, explain why it’s all she has ever wanted to do, starting at age 15!

Depression affects countless individuals all over the world, as we have been tragically reminded with the deaths of Kate Spade & Anthony Bourdain. Listen in as Margie Pierce of Achieve TMS East explains the remarkable new way to treat depression without drugs or side-effects.

Sara Stanton never dreamed of starting her own business. After all she already won the lottery—immigration lottery that is! Listen to Sara’s lovely, Irish accent as she tells us how she made it in America, eventually opening Cara Group Travel.

As a teenager he swam across a freezing lake to escape communism. He came to America and realized his dream, opening Alba’s after years of hard work and sacrifice. Listen to the fascinating and emotional story of Albanian immigrant Leo Keka

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well, two sisters from Quincy put their love for chocolate to the test...and opened Purefections! Listen to Lisa and Christina tell their story of how chocolate changed their lives and the lives of so many other chocoholics!

Jimmy Liang is the quintessential American success story. Find out how he made his dream of being a premier sushi chef and restauranteur come true. If you love sushi, you will love this story!

How would you like to own the original Dunkin’ Donuts? And then, almost 40 years later, open the newest Dunkin’ about a mile from the original? Brothers Victor and Octavio Carvalho will tell you how they went from Fred the Baker’s “it’s time to make the donuts” to “America runs on Dunkin!”

With the tenacity of a High School All-American wrestler, listen to how John built his construction business, one nail at a time. He weathered all the ups and downs, just like he did on the wrestling mat, and came out on top!

Wendy Simmons went from Phys Ed teacher to energy teacher. Listen to how Wendy created Prism Energy and retired her whistle and sweats for good!

Do you wonder how bakers makes dough? Tune in to hear George & Elissa Montilio explain what's really “baked in the cake!”

How did Dolly Di Pesa go from teaching special needs children to teaching businesses how to follow the numbers? This episode of Profiles in the American Dream will tell you.

Join Christa Hagearty and I as we discuss the evolution of the dry cleaning industry. Listen in and learn how Christa “cleans up!”

Hear how Curry Hardware not only survived but flourished (David vs Goliath) in their head-to-head battle with Home Depot.

Listen to Nicole Chan tell me how she went from finance and future MBA to photography entrepreneur.

There is nothing common about the Common Market experience! Whether it be traditional dinners, healthy lunches or cold beer, this neighborhood of shops, pubs and restaurant concepts has it all. And second-generation owner Greg McDonald has seen it all. Listen as he tells us how it all started and where he has it going.

She started out “swimming with the sharks!” Then, after everything she had built was stolen from her, Megan Driscoll figured she would rewrite the rules of recruiting and beat them at their own game. Listen to Megan describe her journey as she grew PhamaLogics Recruiting into a juggernaut.