In this episode of Love Living Local 315, we sit down with Dave Casullo and Dan Williams for a real, wide-ranging conversation centered around leadership, community, and pride in where you’re from. Dave shares perspective from his work with Daneli Partners, along with his deep passion for Little Falls. He talks about why he believes in the city and how strong leadership plays a role in helping small communities grow and stay relevant.

Dan brings that same energy for his own corner of the 315. He talks about his connection to Deansboro and his experience building and operating businesses while staying rooted locally. Through his work, including Blueberry Brook Farm Resort, he shares how time in nature can be genuinely restorative. Stepping away, changing your environment, and getting offsite can bring clarity, reset your mindset, and ultimately make you better in both business and life.

This episode is not about hype or quick wins. It is about showing up, leading by example and caring about the places you are building in. Dave and Dan offer two different perspectives, but they share a belief that there is real opportunity in the 315 for people who are willing to put in the time and effort.

We Cover:
• Dave's approach to leadership and his passion for Little Falls
• Dan's connection to Deansboro and his experience building businesses locally
• The importance of pride, ownership, and consistency in your community
• How leadership shows up in small towns and why it matters
• Why the future of the 315 depends on people who choose to build where they are

This conversation is a reminder that the 315 is what you make of it. Opportunity exists here, but it depends on people who are willing to lead and stay invested. Dave and Dan are both doing that in their own ways, and it shows how much impact can come from building something right where you are.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(1:30) - Blueberry Brook Origins
(4:00) - Why Start Daneli & Little Falls
(6:00) - Passion For Inspiring Leaders
(6:45) - Dave & Dan's Collaboration
(9:15) - Where Does Daneli Fit?
(13:20) - Deansboro Dan
(14:40) - Rural Healthcare Narrative
(17:40) - Nurturing Visionary Leadership Locally
(22:00) - AI & Reconnecting with Nature
(26:15) - Healing with Nature
(30:00) - Presence & Energy
(35:45) - Setbacks vs. Failure
(37:30) - Work on You & Leading by Example
(38:30) - Work with Hamilton College
(46:00) - Maximizing Time & Priorities



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Dave Casullo's Links:
Website - https://danelipartners.com
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/daneli-partners
IG - https://www.instagram.com/danelipartners
FB - https://www.facebook.com/DaneliPartners

Dan William's Links:
Website - https://blueberrybrookfarmresort.com
IG - https://www.instagram.com/blueberrybrookfarm
FB - https://www.facebook.com/dan.williams.720682

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

In this episode we sit down with Sal Longo, self-made entrepreneur, founder of Northern Safety, CEO of Zing Green Safety Products and the driving force behind several of the Mohawk Valley’s most talked-about hospitality destinations. From starting out selling safety products out of the back of his car to building a global company over nearly four decades. Sal shares the lessons he learned along the way about leadership, grit and surrounding yourself with the right people. His story is a reminder that success rarely comes from talent alone, it comes from persistence, trust and a willingness to outwork the competition.

We also dive into what happened after Sal sold Northern Safety and realized retirement wasn’t exactly his style. That realization sparked a new chapter filled with ventures across the region. From launching Zing Green Safety Products, a company focused on sustainable safety gear, to developing beloved local hospitality spots like Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito's, Kuyahoora Resort & Stonebridge. Sal talks about the challenges of entering the restaurant world, rebuilding Valley View, and why creating experiences for the community has become such an important part of his work.

At its core, this conversation is about building things that last. Whether that’s a business, a team or a community. Sal shares what leadership means to him today, why he believes trust and hard work still win in the long run and why he’s proud to keep investing in the Mohawk Valley.

In this episode, we talk about:
• How Sal built Northern Safety from his trunk to a global company
• Why leadership, trust and team culture are the keys to scaling a business
• Launching Zing Green Safety Products and focusing on sustainable manufacturing
• The story behind Rocky’s, Roman’s, Tito’s, Stonebridge and investing in local hospitality
• Why Sal believes Utica is on the rise

If you enjoy stories about entrepreneurship, reinvention and local pride, this episode is packed with perspective from someone who’s spent a lifetime building things right here in the 315.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(1:40) - Scaling Northern Safety & Hands on CEO
(4:00) - Surround Yourself with People You Like
(5:10) - Becoming a Better Leader
(7:25) - Sharing the Power & Trust
(8:30) - Retiring For 10 Months
(9:30) - Never Going Into Hospitality...
(10:30) - Finding & Growing ZING Green Safety Products
(14:45) - Sustainable Safety Products
(17:30) - Continuing to Get Better & Legacy
(20:45) - Getting Into the Hospitality Space
(23:35) - Biggest Surprise in the Restaurant Business
(26:10) - Transforming Valley View
(29:00) - Variety of Menu Options
(33:00) - Stonebridge Golf & Country Club
(34:15) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Sal Longo's Links:
Zing - https://www.zinggreenproducts.com
Roman's - https://romansvalleyview.com
Rocky's - https://rockysonthelake.com
Tito's Tavern - https://titosvalleyview.com
Kuyahoora Resort - https://www.kuyahooraresort.com
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club - https://stonebridgegolfandbanquet.com

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org

In this episode we sit down with Ujj Rai, social entrepreneur, community builder and founder of both Muju International Groceries and Nyano. This is one of those conversations that makes you stop and think about what business is really for.

From growing up in Nepal as a pastor’s kid to studying at Harvard and now building companies right here in Utica, Ujj shares how his entire philosophy centers on one thing: fall in love with the problem. For him, business isn’t about chasing profit, it’s about solving real social challenges in sustainable ways.

We dive deep into Nyano, his wellness tech platform that uses your phone’s camera to scan your vitals, no $400 wearable required. While making emotional and physical check-ins simple, accessible and stress-free. But this episode goes far beyond tech. Ujj opens up about why he chose Utica, why creating your own table is more powerful than fighting for a seat at someone else’s and how Muju has evolved into a community hub where cultures connect and stories are shared.

This one is thoughtful, inspiring and packed with perspective. From redefining the American Dream to rethinking what success really means. If you care about entrepreneurship, community, mental health or building something bigger than yourself, this conversation will stick with you.

We Cover:
• What it really means to be a “social entrepreneur”
• How Nyano is making health tracking accessible to everyone
• Why you shouldn’t wait for a seat at the table, build your own
• Turning Muju into a space for culture, food and connection
• Falling in love with the problem instead of chasing the money

Utica is very lucky to have Ujj.

This episode is brought to you by Vault Capital Partners.
(https://www.instagram.com/vaultcapitalpartners)

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Welcome & Introduction
(0:45) - Social Entrepreneurship
(5:00) - Understanding the Problem
(5:30) - Working at Mohawk Valley SBDC
(8:15) - SBDC Services
(10:45) - Celebrating the Success of Others
(11:50) - Creating Your Own Seat
(13:45) - Alternative to $400 Watches
(14:40) - Building the NYANO Tech
(16:45) - Simple Way to Take Care of Yourself
(19:00) - Emojis & Foods
(21:40) - Local Storage Only
(24:45) - Subscription Cost
(26:15) - Social Element
(33:00) - Taking Care of Loved Ones
(37:15) - Evolution of Muju
(43:00) - Winning Together & Abundance
(45:30) - How Nyano Measures
(47:45) - Rapid Fire Questions


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Ujj Rai's Links:
FB - https://www.facebook.com/ujjwal.rai.9
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ujj-rai-884475256
Nyano Website - https://nyano.life
Nyano IG - https://www.instagram.com
Nyano Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyanolife
Muju FB - https://www.facebook.com/1310MujuGoLLC
Muju IG - https://www.instagram.com/muju_store1

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Referrals Done Right - https://www.referralsdoneright.org