Midway Business Podcast

Overcomplicated? Here’s How the Rule of Threes Wins Customers Back

On this episode of the Midway Business Podcast, Butch Zemar sits down with Chicago business consultant James DiMambro to unpack the “Rule of Threes”—why boiling things down to three clear benefits, values, or differentiators can set small and midsize businesses apart. (Because let’s be honest—if your pitch deck needs 47 slides to explain your value, you’ve already lost the room.)
With nearly two decades of experience across marketing, sales, and customer success, James has worked with everyone from scrappy startups to Fortune 500s. He explains why sharpening your brand, simplifying your message, and delivering consistency across marketing, sales, and client experience is the real secret sauce to credibility.
They also dive into common SMB missteps—from tuning out customer feedback to fearing AI instead of letting it take the grunt work off your plate.
Tune in for practical insights that will help you cut through the noise, gain an edge, and grow with confidence.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact James DiMambro: LinkedIn

Why Waiting Until December Could Bankrupt Your Benefits Strategy

Running a business without a process is like steering a ship with no rudder—you’re just hoping the waves take you somewhere good. In this Midway Business Podcast episode, Butch Zemar dives into why so many owners get paralyzed by bad habits, overthinking, or flat-out fear of change.
From companies passing on nearly a million in savings, to leaders drowning in “analysis paralysis,” the stories highlight a bigger truth: success comes from predictability. Just like sales, operations, or HR, benefits (and every other part of your business) run smoother when you’ve got a playbook.
Stop clinging to old patterns and start building systems that give you clarity, control, and room to grow. Because in business—unlike Vegas—the house doesn’t always have to win.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.

Sauce, Strategy, and Success: Business Takeaways from Chicago Pizza Guys

Who knew pizza could teach you something about running a business? In this episode of the Midway Business Podcast, Butch Zemar sits down with Alex Yount of Chicago Pizza Guys—a passion project that started with three friends swapping favorite pizza spots and grew into a community followed by thousands of fellow pizza lovers.
Alex takes us inside their journey from casual conversations to creating reviews, videos, and a loyal following that celebrates the best slices Chicago has to offer. Along the way, he shares stories of the places that stand the test of time, the family-run shops with generations behind the counter, and why consistency and authenticity matter just as much in food as they do in business.
This conversation isn’t just about crusts and toppings—it’s about what makes people come back, what helps a small business stand out, and how loyalty and community keep brands (and pizza places) alive for decades.
Discover how Alex and his team turned their love of food into lessons any business owner can apply.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Alex Yount: Chicago Pizza Guys

Running a Practice, Running a Business—Turns Out They’re the Same Drill

In this episode, Dr. Tom Germino of Germino Dental shares 40+ years of business lessons—growing from a one-chair startup (with his wife running the front desk) into a multigenerational family practice serving patients across three generations.
Business Tips:
Customer loyalty is everything. Patients still stick with him after 40+ years—because trust outlasts flashy marketing.
Invest in tech (and people). From silver fillings to digital scans—staying relevant means upgrading more than just equipment (yes, that includes fossilized spreadsheets).
Build the right team. Your crew is your reputation. You can’t scale if you’re the only one holding the drill.
Think long-term. Values—not just tools—are what carry a business across decades.
And yes, there are laughs too. Dr. Germino jokes that asking patients to floss is like asking employees to update the CRM—everyone nods, but only a few actually do it.
His message to business owners? Focus on relationships, process, and culture—and your business will shine for decades.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Germino Dental: 708-349-3443, Germino Dental

The CEO’s Dilemma: Are You Solving the Right Problems or Just Staying Busy?

In this episode, Butch Zemar sits down with lifetime entrepreneur MZ, who built a 40-year event production company (think Bulls championship parades and Fortune 500 events—not your average company picnic) before shifting his focus to helping business owners gain control of theirs through EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System).
MZ shares what decades in the trenches taught him—like how solving the wrong problems really well still doesn’t help (we’ve all been there), why consistent processes give business owners actual freedom, and how structure—contrary to popular belief—doesn’t kill creativity, it makes room for it.
For him, the work isn’t just about building stronger businesses—it’s about improving the lives of the people running them. Because let’s face it, business ownership is tough, but with the right playbook, it doesn’t have to feel like you’re the only one holding the flashlight in the dark.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact MZ: Michael (MZ) Ziffra

From Hot Spots to Blind Spots: Business Lessons from Lighting Design

In this episode, David Cole of Aluminight Custom Outdoor Lighting sheds light—literally—on how professional exterior and landscape lighting can transform homes and businesses. From permanent holiday lights (finally retiring the “Clark Griswold” ladder routine) to design strategies that make a property shine without blinding hot spots, David explains how thoughtful placement and planning make all the difference.
But this isn’t just about bulbs and wires—it’s also a playbook for business owners. David shares why following every trend (like peak lighting) isn’t always smart, how DIY shortcuts can cost more in the long run (sound familiar, CFOs?), and why service after the sale builds more loyalty than the initial sale itself.
He also reminds us that a strong crew is everything (try finding employees who’ll troubleshoot wiring in both 100° heat and -10° snow), and that sometimes your hidden edge as an entrepreneur comes from unexpected places—like David’s background in graphic design, which gives him a creative eye competitors can’t match.
His philosophy? The lights shouldn’t be the star—your property should. And for business owners, the lesson is clear: the product isn’t the hero, your client is.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Dave Cole at: Aluminight Custom Outdoor Lighting

Want to Think Like a CEO? John Andrade Shares The 4 Formula to Untangle Any Challenge

Butch Zemar chats with John Andrade, who went from teenage Nextel hustler to selling an online car platform (pre-Carvana) to banking—and somehow lived to tell the tale.
His takeaways? Failures are tuition, visibility beats inboxes, and “No Soliciting” signs are just suggestions.
John also makes the case that advisory boards aren’t just for Fortune 500s—they’re for anyone trying not to blow up their business plan. Through his “Go For CEO” platform and his book, he shares the 5 Fs: Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance, and Fun. (Because what’s the point of being CEO if you’re broke, burnt out, and no fun to be around?)
He leaves listeners with a 4-step roadmap—Assess, Align, Accountability, Action—basically cheat codes for entrepreneurs who’d rather grow their business than wallpaper the office with motivational posters.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact John Andrade: LinkedIn

Stop Losing Talent: Engagement That Works (Without Pizza Fridays)

In this episode of the Midway Business Podcast, Butch Zemar talks with Lindy Hoyt, Founder of People Ambassadors, about why keeping employees engaged sometimes feels harder than keeping your New Year’s resolution past January.
Lindy shares how most companies confuse “butts in seats” with engagement—and then wonder why turnover looks like a revolving door. Her take: retention requires intention. Don’t drag people back to the office just so they can sit on Zoom; give them purpose, growth, and connection.
She lays outsimple but powerful tools like one-on-one meetings (don’t cancel them unless you want disengagement), stay interviews (asking people why they stick around before they leave), and tailoring recognition so it actually matters. Spoiler: not everyone wants the “Employee of the Month” plaque.
Lindy also points out that employees don’t leave companies—they leave managers. Translation: if your team keeps bailing, it’s not the snacks in the break room—it’s you.
The bottom line: retention isn’t about ping-pong tables or pizza Fridays; it’s about actually knowing your people.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Lindy Hoyt: LinkedIn

Collecting Cash Without Collecting Enemies: Turning Overdue Invoices Into Pure Profit

Host Butch Zemar sits down with Bill Clayton of Transworld Systems, the fixed-fee collection service ($10 an account) even the Girl Scouts would use. Founded in 1970 by doctors tired of losing profits to percentage-based agencies, Transworld recovers overdue accounts without torching customer relationships—a “patient who pays stays” kind of philosophy.
Bill dishes on why most businesses wait too long to act (once it’s six months overdue, your chances of getting paid are about the same as finding a stapler in the office when you actually need one). He covers the biggest mistakes—like letting untrained staff chase debts or sending threatening letters that would make a corporate attorney faint—and offers prevention tips: collect better info upfront, add personal guarantees, and make early “just checking in” calls before you have to play bad cop.
From HIPAA rules to “third-party intervention” magic, Bill’s message is clear: receivables are pure profit, and getting them back beats chasing twice as many new sales just to make up the loss.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Bill Clayton at Transworld Systems Inc.: 815-245-8386

Why Your P&L Is Lying to You (and How to Catch It in the Act)

In this episode, Butch Zemar chats with Virginia McGann of Integrated Back Office Solutions, who turns financial chaos into clear business roadmaps. She’s seen it all—QuickBooks files built during Super Bowl commercials, negative bank balances that somehow still cash checks, and owners calling “money in the account” a profit margin. It’s part detective work, part intervention, and entirely about helping business owners stop guessing and start knowing.
Virginia explains why cutting marketing is like skipping breakfast—you’ll regret it fast—and why clinging to low-margin services out of nostalgia is costing you more than you think. She’s quick to remind owners that the 80/20 rule isn’t just a theory; it’s the difference between running a business that thrives and one that’s always “almost there.”
Her “Sleep Tight Package” pairs IT and accounting assessments so owners can worry less and focus on what they do best. It’s a one-stop tune-up for the two areas that keep most owners awake at night—cash flow and tech headaches.
Her takeaway: treat your numbers like a GPS—without one, you’re just driving in circles and calling it strategy. Even the best driver eventually runs out of gas if they don’t know where they’re going.
For more information, please contact us at EliteBenefits.net or call 708-535-3006.
To contact Virginia McGann at Integrated Back Office Solutions: 312-789-4915, vmcgann@ibos.biz