In this episode of Street to Suite, Simon Zelman sits down with Joe Cuccurullo, VP of Marketing & Sales at RCL Agencies, Inc., to explore his journey from graduating from Lehman College in the Bronx in 1974 to building a career spanning more than five decades in international shipping and logistics. Joe shares how a job with Canadian Pacific Railway introduced him to the transportation industry and helped shape his approach to sales and relationships.

Joe explains how he and his partner, Patrick Costin, took the leap into entrepreneurship and established RCL Agencies in 1984. He discusses the risks they took to get started, how they built the business around industry knowledge and relationships, and why staying small, focused, and committed to customers has been central to the company's longevity.

The conversation also explores adapting to COVID, changing technology, tariffs, geopolitical challenges, and the shift toward more digital business. Joe shares his philosophy on accountability, personal relationships, customer service, and why technology should be a tool rather than a replacement for human connection.

• How a job after college can develop into a lifelong career
• Lessons from more than 50 years in international shipping and logistics
• Taking the entrepreneurial leap and starting a business with a partner
• Building a business around relationships, reputation, and industry knowledge
• How Canadian Pacific helped Joe develop his sales skills
• Staying resilient through COVID, fuel costs, geopolitical challenges, and tariffs
• Why staying small and focused can be an intentional business strategy
• Treating employees, vendors, and customers as important long-term relationships
• Why technology should support a business rather than replace human interaction
• The importance of accountability and telling customers the truth when problems arise
• Building relationships that go beyond transactions
• Why trust should be earned over time
• Lessons Joe would share with his younger self about trust, relationships, and authenticity

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephcuccurullo
• Company: RCL Agencies, Inc.
• Website: oceanfreight.com

Street to Suite explores the real stories behind successful careers, businesses, and leadership, sharing the lessons you don't always learn in school.

Listen to this episode for an inside look at entrepreneurship, international shipping, leadership, relationships, and the lessons Joe Cuccurullo has learned from more than five decades in business.