What if the defining moment of your life came at 17, and you had to grow up overnight?

In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with the one and only Buddy Valastro, a.k.a. the Cake Boss, for a deeply personal conversation about legacy, leadership, and the drive that turned a Hoboken bakery into a globally recognized brand.

From taking over Carlo’s Bakery as a teenager after the loss of his father, to navigating the early challenges of keeping a family business alive in the face of supermarket competition, Buddy shares how he transformed adversity into fuel. You’ll hear the story of how Cake Boss came to life—not through agents or auditions, but through grit, relationships, and relentless belief in the power of storytelling.

Buddy also opens up about staying grounded in the whirlwind of fame, leading with efficiency and integrity, and why, despite all his success, his proudest accomplishment is still his family. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creator, or just someone who’s had to start from scratch, this episode offers rare insight into what it really takes to build something lasting.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How Buddy took over Carlo’s Bakery at age 17 and earned respect as a young leader
• The moment that sparked his shift from survival mode to visionary growth
• Why efficiency became the cornerstone of his leadership style
• How Cake Boss came to be, and why it almost wasn’t on TV
• What Buddy learned about sales, trust, and relationships from meeting thousands of brides
• The behind-the-scenes evolution of Cake Boss into a global franchise
• How Buddy balances being a CEO, husband, and father in the middle of a media empire
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Buddy Valastro is a fourth-generation baker and the owner of Carlo’s Bakery, a business founded in 1910 and made world-famous through the hit TV show Cake Boss. After taking over the bakery at age 17 following the sudden death of his father, Buddy transformed a small Hoboken storefront into a billion-dollar global brand spanning television, restaurants, frozen foods, and consumer products. Known for his passion, work ethic, and efficiency-driven leadership, Buddy remains deeply committed to his roots—both in business and in family. He continues to run Carlo’s Bakery alongside his wife Lisa and their children, while innovating new ventures like scratch-made frozen pizza and national supermarket lines—all while staying grounded in the values that shaped his journey.

Resources:

CarlosBakery.com

Follow Carlo’s Bakery on Instagram

Follow Carlo’s Bakery on Facebook

Follow Carlo’s Bakery on X

Follow Carlo’s Bakery on TikTok

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

DBD Investment Bank

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not

What if the real pivot in your life isn’t about chasing more, but choosing growth over comfort?

In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Charles Scott, former Intel Corporation executive turned executive mentor, to explore what it truly means to live a life of vitality, purpose, and self-directed growth. Charles shares the deeply personal journey that led him to leave a high-level corporate role at Intel to build a legacy centered around family, meaning, and transformation.

From cycling across Japan with his 8-year-old son to mentoring ambitious CEOs through their midlife transitions, Charles unpacks the power of “following the nudge,” embracing discomfort, and learning how to design a life that doesn’t just look good on paper, but actually feels fulfilling.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or high-performer quietly asking “Is this all there is?”—this conversation offers a roadmap to tune back into what really matters, without blowing up your life to get there.

If you've enjoyed this episode of Going Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

Key takeaways:

• Why your dream job can still lead to stagnation—and how to recognize it
• The definition of vitality (and why it’s your most important metric)
• How to identify and act on a “nudge” when you feel called to change
• The difference between succeeding within a structure vs. building your own
• What the “ambitious person’s trap” looks like—and how to avoid it
• Why physical and emotional health are non-negotiable for growth
• How to use self-check-ins to realign your goals with who you are now
• Why the second half of life can be more creative, meaningful, and alive
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Charles R. Scott is an executive mentor who helps leaders pursue ambitious goals while building lives of purpose and intentionality. After 14 years at Intel Corporation, Charles left the corporate world to become an adventurer, author, and co-founder of the nonprofit Team See Possibilities. He has cycled over 7,000 miles across Japan, Iceland, Europe, and the U.S. with his children, and guided the first blind runner to complete a nonstop double crossing of the Grand Canyon. Charles is the creator of the executive workshop “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?”—delivered to thousands of CEOs and senior leaders across North America—and was named Speaker of the Year by TEC Canada. His talks have reached audiences at The World Bank, Uber, Intel, Harvard Business School, and more.

Resources:

ExecutiveMentorCharlesScott.com

Podcast Mentioned:

Good Life Project podcast

Book Mentioned:

Sparked: Discover Your Unique Imprint for Work that Makes You Come Alive

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Going Beyond the Deal podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any...

In today’s episode of the Going Beyond the Deal Podcast, J. Michael Fischer Jr. sits down with Bill Duerr, President and CEO of Hatteras, a leading print and packaging company with deep family roots and a strong innovation streak. What began as a bold move by Bill’s father in 1983 has since evolved into a thriving middle-market business that blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge data-driven marketing.

Bill shares his personal journey from wanting nothing to do with the family business to eventually taking the reins, applying lessons from coaching and team leadership to grow Hatteras into a national brand. From retail signage and influencer packaging to personalized direct mail triggered by e-commerce behavior, Bill reveals how Hatteras is staying relevant—and growing—in a digital-first world.

You’ll also hear the wisdom passed down from his father and the leadership philosophy that has shaped his company’s culture. Whether you're a founder, executive, or next-gen leader navigating growth, legacy, and personal identity, this conversation will give you both perspective and tactical ideas.

If you've enjoyed this episode of the Beyond the Deal podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why personalized print marketing still delivers results in 2025
• How to lead a family business without losing your own identity
• The surprising power of print in a digital world
• What Bill learned from coaching college lacrosse that shaped his business leadership
• Why packaging is becoming a key marketing channel—not just a necessity
• The mindset shift that helped him step confidently into the CEO role
• How breathwork, jiu jitsu, and cold plunges sharpen his leadership edge
• The life and leadership lessons Bill learned from his father
• And much more…

Guest Bio:

Bill Duerr is the President and CEO of Hatteras, a print and packaging company founded by his father in 1983. From marketing collateral to direct mail, influencer kits to custom folding cartons, Hatteras serves top national brands with print solutions that are relevant, timely, and deeply human. Bill began his career in coaching college lacrosse before joining the family business, eventually stepping into leadership and helping evolve Hatteras into a modern, data-savvy organization.

Resources:

Hatteras

Follow Hatteras on Facebook

Follow Hatteras on Instagram

Follow Hatteras on LinkedIn