In this episode, we sit down with John Mikulec, founder and CEO of Gameday Hospitality, to unpack his journey from building cornhole boards in his parents’ garage to leading one of the most innovative tailgate production companies in the country. John walks us through how he bootstrapped multiple businesses, including Tailgate Giant and Man Cave Giant, before launching Gameday Hospitality—now managing over 240 events a year across the U.S.

John also opens up about the future of Buffalo’s tailgating scene with the new stadium, the challenges of dealing with entitled customers, and how Buffalo’s blue-collar passion compares to other sports cities. It’s a gritty, detailed, and real conversation on entrepreneurship, sports culture, and scaling experience-driven businesses.

In this episode of Let’s know Buffalo, we talk to Chris Ring, legendary concert promoter, co-owner of Rec Room Buffalo, and founder of After Dark Presents. Chris shares how he built a 25+ year career in music starting with DIY punk shows and roller rink gigs. Hear how he booked Vanilla Ice at 18, flipped college events into a business empire, and became a key figure in Buffalo’s nightlife and hospitality scene.

Now a Kenmore trustee, Chris also discusses how he’s using his voice to drive community growth and advocate for small businesses. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, music lovers, and anyone who believes in making something from nothing.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on socials

Kevin and Joe sit down with Tony Thomas, the mastermind behind Buffalo’s largest real estate photography company. Tony shares his journey from starting out in photography to building the go-to service for real estate professionals across the city. Tune in as Tony reveals industry insights, the secrets to capturing homes that sell, and how he’s grown his business to dominate the Buffalo market. Whether you're in real estate, photography, or simply love stories of entrepreneurial success, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice.