Episodes

  • Episode 35: Extending your company's runway in a difficult environment
    Jun 29 2025

    Gary Kaufman of ABI-LAB joins the Wicked Connected crew to talk about the challenges of the current funding environment in biotech and the role networking plays.

    Gary's Message:

    Work in an environment where you are passionate and you will always be networking

    Gary's Bio:
    Mr. Kaufman serves as Chief Operating Officer at ABI-LAB. Along with his partners at ABI-LAB Mr. Kaufman is an angel investor in a multitude of biotech ventures, and he is currently in the process of creating an investment vehicle to fund an additional two to four companies a year. For over 30 years he has been a successful entrepreneur, with expertise in consumer-related businesses ranging from residential and commercial real estate to automotive and consumer vending. Mr. Kaufman is the president of Shelby Enterprises Inc., a commercial and residential real estate firm. In addition to his real estate background, Mr. Kaufman has played a significant role in the Metrowest startup community as co-founder and vice chairman of the Metrowest Life Sciences Network, an organization whose mission is to foster awareness of and promote professional networking opportunities among the regions scientific and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Metrowest region. He has a BS in Management Science from Bridgewater State College with advanced studies at Tel Aviv University and Harvard University.

    Links:
    www.linkedin.com/in/abi-lab
    abi-lab.com

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    31 mins
  • Episode 34: Making Connections, Not Contacts
    Jun 29 2025

    Karol Mendoza and Jeralmi Canela join the Wicked Connected crew to talk about their experience as networkers in the early days of their careers.

    About Karol:

    Hi! I am Karol Mendoza, and I am a second-year journalism student at Northeastern University, minoring in International Affairs. I originally came from Colombia and moved to Boston some years ago. Initially, my English proficiency was limited; however, through dedication and practice, I graduated as valedictorian of Excel High School in May 2024. The BUILD program has been crucial in enhancing my storytelling and public speaking abilities. Currently, I am a Development and Communications intern at BUILD and a Fellow in the BUILD Youth Fellowship. I aspire to travel the world, connect with diverse cultures, and engage with unfamiliar narratives!

    About Jeralmi:

    Jeralmi Canela is a computer science student at Northampton Community College, a BUILD alum and a Communications & Development Intern at BUILD Boston. Raised in the Dominican Republic and later Boston, his interest in games began by secretly playing Brick Breaker on his aunt’s phone. Years later, a middle school programming class using Scratch connected the dots and he’s been hooked on game development ever since. Today, he’s focused on creating and releasing original titles.

    Links:
    build.org/boston/

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    27 mins
  • Episode 33. Networking for First-gen Immigrants
    Jun 29 2025

    Jashin Lin of Growbie joins the Wicked Connected crew to share thoughts on the ins and outs of networking for 1st generation immigrants in Boston.

    Jashin's Message:
    "Always be networking and use LinkedIn effectively to achieve your goals"

    Jashin's Bio:

    A dynamic leader and trailblazer, Jashin stands at the forefront of social entrepreneurship, community building, and career education. As the founder and CEO of Growbie, the first career development platform focused on networking skills and community-building for first-generation immigrants, she is dedicated to addressing the challenges of cultural differences and fostering career readiness. Highly regarded as a speaker, Jashin shares strategies to navigate the unique hurdles faced by first-generation immigrants at over 40 corporations, conferences, and universities worldwide.

    In addition to Growbie, Jashin currently teaches Career Toolkit at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, where she has been ranked the top instructor for four consecutive semesters by over 200 students, recognized for her energy, empathy, and career expertise. Prior to Growbie, she was an early employee at ByteDance, helping TikTok expand into more than 30 countries, a management consultant at GEP working with Fortune 500 companies to improve their bottom line, and an investment banker at Goldman Sachs. Jashin holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.

    Links:
    www.linkedin.com/in/jashinlin/
    www.growbie.com

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    32 mins
  • Episode 32. Know Thyself
    Jun 8 2025

    Cole Young of Woodward Cass joins the Wicked Connected crew to talk about the importance defining who you are and the niche you serve in order to network effectively.

    Cole's Message:

    Know your product/service and act accordingly. If you're super specialized - say you're the only equestrian lawyer in town - make that known to the world and work that. If you're more of a generalist, like me, you need to be someone who can connect other people. Let that be known and work that.

    Cole's Bio:
    Originally from Detroit, my wife and I moved to Boston on a whim. Truly. We are “city people,’ and after living in several great cities, we wanted to try a new one. My first visit to Boston was in a moving van, moving all of our meager possessions, in 2011. I can now think of nowhere I would rather live. We love this city. Professionally, as a civil engineer and attorney, I love all things real estate, construction and development. I work with real estate companies, developers and property management companies mostly in Boston, but also throughout the United States and several European and Asian countries. We have two kids and an adorable boxer puppy named Lucy Pickles.

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    34 mins
  • Episode 31. Where Business Meets Friendship - The Social Elements of Networking
    May 22 2025

    Monique Richards joins the Wicked Connected podcast to talk about the power of networking to build not only business but also friendships.

    Monique's Message:

    Networking is not just for building business connections, there is a social side of networking as well.

    About Monique:

    With an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and a Master's from Yale in Molecular and Cellular Biology, as well as business development experience in the life sciences, Monique brings a unique and valuable perspective to networking as a business and social skill.

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    33 mins
  • Episode 30. Networking is Key: How it Fits into an Effective Marketing Plan
    May 10 2025

    Barry Braunstein of Barry Braunstein Photography joins the Wicked Connected crew to share his thoughts on how networking fits into a effective marketing plan.

    Barry's Message:

    "Networking is fundamental to growing any small business - and it takes time. Don't expect instant results, you need to be in it for the long term. And there are different types of networking groups, each with their own pluses and minuses."

    Barry's Bio:

    "After a long, successful career in high technology marketing and sales, I decided to start a new career following a passion I've had since high school. I studied with some of the leading photographers in the industry to enhance my skills in areas such as lighting, posing, and facial expression coaching, and continue to learn by exploring new techniques, looks from other work I come across."

    Links:
    linkedin.com/in/barrybraunstein
    www.barrybraunsteinphotography.com

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    33 mins
  • Episode 29. Gaining Insight: The Art of Listening, Learning & Being Helpful
    May 3 2025

    Rick Dumont joins the Wicked Connected crew to share his networking wisdom about listening, sharing experiences and bringing out the humanity of others.

    Rick's Message:

    "Networking should be fun and enlightening as one gains insight into new people, their pursuits, finding out what their needs are and finding out ways that you can help."

    About Rick:

    I started Sweaty Turtle Entertainment back in 2011 during the production of my second feature film as a way to offer my creative and my award winning journalism insights and experience to non-profits, small and large businesses as well as artists and musicians in order to help them further their efforts, audience reach, customer base increases and overall growth in their particular business path. Since that time, we have expanded our client base to: Wisconsin and New York as well as here in Boston and throughout New England.

    #Networking #Boston #WickedConnected

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    36 mins
  • Episode 28. The Sound of the Genuine: Why Thought Partnership Beats Networking Every Time
    Apr 16 2025

    Larry Gennari of the law firm Gennari Aronson LLP joins the Wicked Connected crew to share his nique take on networking, community building, and why thought partnership beats networking every time.

    Larry's Message:

    "Even when things change, communities stay resilient through connection."

    About Larry:

    Larry Gennari, a corporate and transactional lawyer for three decades, advises public companies, venture-backed or angel-financed private companies, entrepreneurs, investors and board members. In addition, Larry’s long-time teaching at Boston College Law School, his hosting of the annual Authors & Innovators Business Ideas Forum, and his board leadership of one of New England’s largest non-profit organizations, reflect his commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and building community.

    Links:
    galawpartners.com

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    32 mins