Gregg Horan is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Greggory, an upscale American restaurant in South Barrington, Illinois. Before launching The Greggory, he spent nearly 30 years with Gibsons Restaurant Group, where he helped open and operate several high-profile establishments, including Gibsons Steakhouse and the Polo Bar in New York. Gregg partnered with longtime colleagues Bill Veremis and Chef Jose Sosa to form Hirth Hospitality, combining decades of expertise in hospitality and culinary innovation. His mission is to bring big-city dining and personalized service to the suburban market.

Restaurants are shifting focus beyond just food, emphasizing hospitality and community to stand out in competitive suburban markets. As food lovers seek experiences that blend high-end ambiance with everyday accessibility, leaders are rethinking how they design and manage their spaces. What does it take to launch a new restaurant that feels both luxurious and welcoming?

According to Gregg Horan, who co-founded The Greggory and oversees its operations for Hearth Hospitality, success starts with deep industry experience and a personal passion for hospitality. By leveraging the design insights of trusted partners, a hands-on culinary team, and lessons learned from his decades at Gibsons, Gregg created a space that's both visually stunning and community-driven. The Greggory's menu, ambiance, and customer service model reflect a seamless blend of luxury and approachability tailored for suburban diners.

On this episode of Top Business Leaders Show, Chad Franzen welcomes Gregg Horan, Co-founder of The Greggory, for a conversation about building a standout restaurant brand in South Barrington. Gregg shares insights from his time at Gibson's, explains the thought process behind The Greggory's menu and design, and opens up about the personal investment and risk involved in starting a new venture.

John Grace is the Founder and President of Investors Advantage Corp., a Westlake Village, California-based financial advisory firm. With over four decades of experience, John is known for his client-first approach, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and loss mitigation. Under his leadership, Investor's Advantage has established a regional stronghold managing over $1 trillion in assets through its collaboration with LPL Financial Corp. A renowned financial advisor and author, John translates complex economic data into actionable intelligence through his work as a contributing writer for Pacific Coast Business Times.

Mentorship can be a powerful catalyst in shaping a person's career, especially in industries where representation is lacking. Too often, young professionals miss out on guidance that could unlock their potential and set them on a transformative path. How can a single mentor alter the course of someone's life and career trajectory?

According to John Grace, who founded and leads Investors Advantage Corp., his entry into the financial world began with an unexpected offer from the father of a friend — a seasoned advisor who saw promise in him and offered to be his mentor. That relationship gave John not only the technical knowledge to earn his license but also the confidence to succeed in a field where few looked like him. Decades later, he continues that legacy by mentoring the next generation, including the grandson of his original mentor.

On this episode of the Top Business Leaders Show, Rise25's John Corcoran welcomes John Grace, Founder and President of Investors Advantage Corp., for a conversation about financial resilience, mentorship in underserved communities, and what makes engineers the ideal clients. John also offers powerful advice on independent thinking in a saturated financial world and the importance of proactive planning for uncertain futures.

Odette D'Aniello is the Founder and CEO of Celebrity Cake Studio, a family-owned and operated retail cake boutique. The company has received numerous awards, including winning Best of Western Washington several times. With experience in the food industry, business strategy sales, and marketing, Odette has obtained additional skills in product design and brand development, event management, and team building.

She is also the Owner of Dragonfly Cakes, the wholesale sister company to Celebrity Cake Studio, designing, developing, and manufacturing delicious handmade and clean-label petit fours, tea cakes, and mini desserts. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, she hosts the Celebrity Gourmet Podcast, where she shares insights from successful individuals in the food and beverage sector. ​

Many entrepreneurs struggle to find their niche, especially after experiencing failure or burnout in their initial ventures. How can you pivot from an unsustainable business model to a more profitable and fulfilling path without losing the passion that drove you in the first place?

Baker and entrepreneur Odette D'Aniello's first café business attracted customers but failed financially. After a chance encounter at a wedding expo, Odette recognized the value of focusing solely on custom cakes — a skill she had honed since childhood. By trusting her intuition, closing the café overnight, and boldly repositioning her business, Odette transformed her struggling venture into a thriving cake studio. Embracing risk, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose allowed her to transform a difficult situation into a long-term success.

Tune in to this episode of Top Business Leaders Show as host John Corcoran interviews Odette D'Aniello, Founder and CEO of Celebrity Cake Studio and Dragonfly Cakes, about reinventing a business for greater impact. Odette shares insights on leading a family business, cultivating mindfulness as a leader, and navigating crises like 9/11 and COVID-19.