S4 E15: Modern Policing, Recruitment Challenges, and Community Service with Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr

Ann Donnelly on October 6, 2026

In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Warren County Sheriff Jim LaFarr for an open, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, community-centered policing, and the modern realities of county law enforcement. From growing up in a West Glens Falls mobile home park to completing 35 years of dedicated public service, Sheriff LaFarr shares his inspiring personal journey from part-time summer detail in Lake George to leading a multi-faceted agency of 250 employees.

S4 Bonus Episode: Clearing Business Blocks: The Ruby Red Road to Peak Leadership Performance

Ann Donnelly on September 28, 2026

In this live-on-location episode from Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly speaks with Karen Carey, owner of Ruby Red Road. Drawing on 30 years in the customer service and beauty industries and 17 years of dedicated coaching experience, Karen breaks down how intuitive life and business coaching helps entrepreneurs, non-profits, and corporate teams break through frustration and operational chaos. Whether addressing team friction, leadership misalignment, or personal burnout, Karen shares how clearing blocks creates a direct path to sustainable success.

S4 Bonus Episode: Can You Afford Not to Have a Financial Advisor? Inside Wealth Planning with Equitable Financial

Ann Donnelly on September 28, 2026

In this live-on-location episode from Moreau Commons, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Brandon Crist and Max Benedetto of Equitable Financial Advisors. Brandon shares insights from a decade of helping state employees, retirees, and local business owners navigate complex pensions, Social Security optimization, and tax-efficient distribution strategies. Max discusses his journey coming on board, passing his licensing exams, and elevating client management and customer service. Together, they break down why financial planning isn’t just for the wealthy, how fee transparency works, and why having a trusted local advisor in Queensbury and the North Country makes all the difference.

S4 E14: Anonymity is the Enemy of Growth: Building a Marketing Engine That Converts

Ann Donnelly on September 23, 2026

What happens when you have the best product in town, but nobody knows you exist? In this role-reversal episode of Building Success Stories, regular host Ann Donnelly hands the mic to guest host Janice Durant, Chief Franchise Matchmaker at New Trails Business Consultants. Together, they dissect the foundational pillars of business survival: branding, budgeting, and the raw truth that passion alone does not equal sales. From the specific percentages you should be spending on marketing at every stage of your business, to the hidden advantages of the franchise model, this episode is a strategic masterclass on converting anonymity into authority.

S3 E8: Lisa Boucher, CEO HR Ninja, Co-Founder HR Cafe

Ann Donnelly on December 10, 2025

In this conversation, Lisa Boucher, founder of HR Ninja, shares her extensive human resources experience and discusses the challenges and rewards of her journey. She emphasizes the importance of understanding business needs, navigating employee benefits, and fostering community through initiatives like HR Cafe. Lisa highlights the evolving landscape of HR and the necessity for businesses to adapt to new employee expectations while maintaining compliance and support for their workforce.