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.

S4 E12: Unlocking Upstate NY: Small Business Resources, Upskilling & Economic Strategy with Carrie Woerner

Ann Donnelly on August 25, 2026

In this episode of the Building Success Stories Podcast, Ann Donnelly sits down with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner at ADKtechs headquarters to dissect the economic engines driving Upstate New York. They trace Carrie’s strategic career shifts, from the early days of e-commerce to shaping policy for a diverse, 135,000-person district spanning Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties.

S4 E11: The South Street Renaissance: How NYS DRI & Private Investment are Transforming Glens Falls

Ann Donnelly on August 19, 2026

What happens when ambitious private investment leverages the momentum of a $10M New York State DRI initiative? Look no further than the newly revitalized 46-56 South Street block in Downtown Glens Falls. Just a year ago, this block was defined by chain-link fences and vacant windows. Today, thanks to developer Chris Patten and a wave of young entrepreneurs, it is a self-sustaining micro-economy.

S1 E3: Chakras, Tuning Forks, & Cattle: How Laura Killian Brings Healing to Everything

Ann Donnelly on July 22, 2026

In this episode of Four Blonde Moms, Co-Hosts Ann Donnelly and energy healer Laura Killian sit down for a deep dive into her personal journey from dental hygienist to intuitive healer. Laura demystifies energy work, breaking down what Reiki actually is, how frequency and intention play a role in everyday life, and why healing modalities work best when we get out of our heads and into our hearts.

S4 E5: Building a Foundation of Trust: How Northern Builders is Expanding the Trades and Workforce Growth

Ann Donnelly on June 10, 2026

In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with co-founders Mark Stewart and Nic Denno. After merging their independent contracting companies in 2020, Mark and Nic have scaled Northern Builders into a regional powerhouse. They pull back the curtain on how their background in public service forged an unbreakable business partnership, how they are actively combating the skilled-trades workforce shortage, and what it takes to manage sustainable business growth in Upstate New York.

S4 E1: Spencer Bray & Nic Ketter, Founders, Realize Brokers & Consultants, Glens Falls, NY

Ann Donnelly on May 3, 2026

What do aviation, cryptocurrency, and a chance meeting at a local cigar bar have to do with the future of real estate in Glens Falls? In this episode of Building Success Stories, host Ann Donnelly sits down with Spencer Bray and Nic Ketter, the innovative co-founders of Realize Brokers. Rejecting the older, traditional methods of property brokering, this duo is rewriting the rules of the local market. Discover how their unique backgrounds—from fueling planes to working in emerging tech at General Electric—led to a real estate agency built on custom digital marketing, intense discretion, and deep community relationships. Whether you are looking to buy, thinking of selling a business, or just want to understand the shifting landscape of Upstate New York real estate, this episode is packed with insider knowledge.

S3 E20: Sharon Horton, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity Northern Saratoga, Warren, Washington Counties

Ann Donnelly on April 20, 2026

In this episode of Building Success Stories, Ann Donnelly sits down with Sharon Horton, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. With a rich background spanning hospitality and major nonprofits such as the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, and NAMI, Sharon brings a wealth of operational and advocacy expertise to the region’s housing challenges. Sharon discusses the profound, generational impact of homeownership, the organization’s strategic pivot to modular building to combat rising costs and weather delays, and the exciting new initiatives on the horizon—including a powerful “Women Build” project in Hudson Falls.

S3 E16: Jared Humiston, President & CEO, Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs)

Ann Donnelly on March 23, 2026

In this episode, Jared Humiston, President and CEO of Adirondack Technical Solutions (ADKtechs), shares his journey from a small startup to a thriving IT service provider focused on proactive cybersecurity, strategic growth, and company culture. Discover how intentional client selection, embracing technology, and investing in team well-being have fueled their success over two decades.