To help celebrate The Comedy Point’s 1 year anniversary: each week The Comedy Point will spotlight a person or group of people that are pursuing their passions through their own creativity and hard work.

Ray Petrino of Hemera Financial Solutions
Here’s a few questsions we had for Ray!

How did you get into your business?

I spent 9 years working on Wall Street as a Controller. While the experiences helped me grow tremendously as a business professional, there was so much more I wanted from my career. On Wall Street, I spent anywhere from 60-80 hours a week stuck behind a desk, with not enough variety. Sure, there were some major perks, including the satisfaction of training and managing team members. However, I felt that my career became stagnant, so I decided to walk away from that rat race and a nice compensation package to essentially start over. It was a daunting challenge but because I was passionate about becoming involved with different types of businesses, from venture capital companies to not-for-profits, it was a rather easy decision for me. After talking with several entrepreneurs, I realized that some small businesses needed the expertise of CFOs, Controllers, and/or Finance Directors but couldn’t afford to pay these workers full-time salaries. I decided to start outsourcing my accounting and finance expertise to these companies. Soon after, Hemera Financial Solutions was born.

Was there any overlap between starting your business and working a “day” job?

There was an incredible amount of overlap. After tendering my resignation, my old company’s ownership requested that I stay aboard for another 4 weeks to properly transition my role. Because I didn’t want to burn any bridges and because I truly enjoyed working with my team, that was a no-brainer. During that transition period, I typically got to my “day” job at 7 a.m., worked until noon, then made phone calls to my lawyers and board of advisors during lunchtime to make sure everything was moving along according to plan, including the formation of the LLC. I got home around 8 p.m., grabbed a quick bite with the wife, kissed my daughter goodnight, and then worked on any open items, like planning networking events and calling/e-mailing prospective clients until the clock struck midnight. At that point, I didn’t usually have much left in the tank so I headed to bed. Those 17-hour days were the norm for those 4 weeks.
Describe your craziest day of juggling your professional and personal life?

In my line of business, it’s hard to nail down one particular day. I provide high-end consulting services, which means that most of my clients demand the most bang for their buck. For that reason, there’s not much difference from the Wall Street experience and the responsibility of running my own consulting shop. When clients have issues, you get calls or e-mails and they expect prompt response. In a way it’s flattering because that means that people are leaning on me to make important business decisions. However, sometimes that makes it difficult to plan activities with the family.

Do you live to work or work to live? Many people tell me that I work all the time, but I’m passionate about what I do, so I never look at it the way people in corporate America do.

I would say some combination of both. If you don’t enjoy what you do, I don’t think you can perform at a high level. That’s part of the reason why I’ve gone the route of running my own shop and foregoing the more comfortable, traditional business career. I want to make a difference in the business community and work with similar-minded, serious professionals. However, I also value my family and friends, and don’t let them take a backseat to my aspirations. You can strike a balance between the work and personal lives, but it’s definitely not easy and involves a certain level of selflessness. Without the right balance, I think performance in the workplace will eventually suffer.

Where do you see yourself and your company in 10 years?

As an entrepreneur, it’s my job to keep my eyes open and find opportunities to work with other like-minded entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are typically less structured than 9-to-5 workers, so for me, it’s all about getting out in the marketplace, attending networking events, and shaking the right hands to make the right connections. I have big goals in mind for growing my company, which include aggressive revenue and hiring targets, but whether I’ll focus my time on venture capital companies, consumer products businesses, or not-for-profits is very hard to say because you really need to be willing to adjust with the times and stay on the cutting-edge of business trends.Does your current living location have anything to do with starting having your own business or could you live anywhere?

As someone who focuses on working with smaller companies, it’s important for me to have a presence in robust markets. Most of my clients have been based out of New York or New Jersey and now I’m establishing a presence in North Carolina, where the economy is doing rather well, even though the nation is fighting through a recession.During the week to get out of my house, I operate out of Panera Bread, for the delicious food and free internet. Do you work from home or have a similar working environment?

The location varies. I spend a good amount of my time at either restaurants or conventions trying to meet the right people to grow relationships or at client offices to work with their team members and systems. Occasionally I find myself in my office for conference calls and on-line meetings. The beauty of today’s technology is that I don’t always have to be physically present in the room to be able to successfully get my work done!

FROM DUMPED TO DAING

Just broke up? There may or may not be a grace period before you’re on to the next one. There are a lot of factors to consider, did you get dumped or were you the one to initiate the breakup? Are you happy and relieved its over or caught off guard and in denial? But the biggest factor in play when it comes to how long it will be before you’re jumping back in the saddle, is relationship personality.

Relationship Realists

A relationship realist will get through a break up and spend some time- weeks, months, sometimes years- just dating, hooking up, and spending time solo until they find satisfying compatibility. These people have a good sense of self, a conscious awareness of their personality, goals, and ambitions. Their identity is not based on one aspect of life such as work, family, socioeconomic status. They are well rounded, emotionally healthy people. These are introspective, analytical, and independent people who want a relationship where both people can grow and pursue a romantic utopia, even though it may not exist. These people are less likely to want to make a commitment quickly but when they do they want to make it work in order to avoid admitting to a mistake.

Relationship Hoppers

A relationship hopper cannot be alone. They leave one relationship and get into another one AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. They are emotional parasites looking for a relationship host. They define themselves by the relationship they are in. They tend to be wandering aimlessly through life or they may have a dream they are pursuing but they can’t seem to get out of their own way. They want someone to take care of them and remind them that they are likable because they don’t feel likable at all. They are codependent, needy, and emotionally exhausting people. They don’t want their partner to grow or pursue goals that don’t include them as it may upset the host/parasite dynamic. They’ll commit to anyone who asks with no questions asked but when the going gets tough these people turn to others to make themselves feel good again whether its cheating or leaving for another, these people are self centered and uncaring.

My last two boyfriends were relationship hoppers. One married the Kendra replacement and the other is engaged to his Kendra replacement. Both relationships ended when they suggested we move in together. I said no and they BOTH were living with “I guess she’ll do” within six months. Sick people. The whole bunch of them.

I want someone who recognizes I am not easily replaced.

I want someone who doesn’t necessarily want to live with me.

But mostly I want someone filthy rich.

I’m destined for an unconventional relationship.

Thanks for listening

Kisses-

Kendra

Kendra is a stand up comic living in Brooklyn where she owns a super comfortable bed. She spends most of her time wondering where the hell her sugar daddy is and hoping he didn’t settle.

www.kendracunningham.com

The Beast: Larry Loveless

Let’s be honest, there are two ways to answer this question. Were you the one that got dumped or were you the one that broke up? Because chances are, the person who broke up probably is close to dating someone new. Even if a new person is not in the picture, the one who is breaking up has more than likely stopped having feelings for the significant other for an extended period of time. The time needed to rebound or heal is a lot less.

The person who has been heart broken, however, regardless if it is a male or female, a period alone is recommended. Jumping back into the dating scene too early, could prove to be hasty. To compare it to baseball, a team that fires a high strung fiery manager will most likely seek a mellow even keeled replacement. The same could be said about dating, attracting the total opposite or false feelings as a rebound replacement. It appears I have written this column like a politician and not directly answered the question, bravo! The real answer is different for every person and situation based on the above factors, plus length of relationship, living situation, etc. Not to mention if it was a relationship vs. marriage. But what do I know? I’ve never been married.
Good luck out there, as the Summer comes to the end!

Listen, as we talk about this and all the other highlights from our first year!

6 to 8pm EST- Stream it from anywhere in the world at http://www.TheComedyPoint.com

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of my radio show The Comedy Point, which first aired on WTBQ 99.1 FM in Orange County on September 1st, 2009.  During my time at Wagner College, I briefly had my own radio show, where I played music and talked in between for shorts amount of time. But for the most part, my only radio show experience was as a guest on various shows, not producing and anchoring my very own show.

2 stations and 1 year later, The Comedy Point now broadcasts in my home county of Burlington in NJ on WIFI 1460 AM Florence into Philadelphia and South to Atlantic City.  Over 1,000 listeners per week listen to our show between the downloads on iTunes and the live listeners on http://www.wifiam1460.com/

That’s gaining 20 new listeners each week and retaining them over the course of a year. I hope that our growth process will continue and hopefully even accelerate. I personally would like to thank head writer Burak Uzun, my co-hosts Rich Shultis and Matt Scarpelli, along with Maddog Mattern and Grandma Marian Richardson for making the show a great product and enjoyment for people to tuning in!

Please comment on this page and let us know your fondest memory of The Comedy Point from the past season. If you want, you can name 2 or 3.

What do we have in story for you today?

Correspondent Neal B calling in to recap The Emmy Awards
Maddog Mattern!!! calling in for, “Dog in The Park,” Vegas style
Grandma Marian Richardson after her Summer hiatus returns for, “Grandma’s Corner.”
Comedian Chuck Buono callling in to cause some shenanigans
Regular guest and caller Greg Mescal will be checking in from California
Plus other surprise guests along the way.

In honor of our anniversary celebration? What is the Silliest, Funniest, Worst or Most Inappropriate anniversary gift you have heard of someone giving or receiving? Please email the show or comment below and indicate if you want or do not want your name read on the air!

Tune in for our special celebration LIVE from The Looney Bin Comedy Club on Staten Island.
Thanks to everyone who has ever listened and supported. I want to break a record for listeners tonight!
Join our chat room during the show, email the show at thecomedypoint@gmail.com or call in at 609-447-0236

Joel

Banana Muffins

• 1\4c. oil

• 7\8 cup sugar

• 1 cup flour

• 2 mashed bananas

• 2 eggs 1\2 tsp. soda

• 1\4 c chopped nuts.

• Mix all ingredients.

• Add chopped nuts.

• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 350 in lined muffin pans

Listen to Grandma Marian Richardson Tuesday night on the anniversary show of The Comedy Point http://www.wifiam1460.com/
And don’t forget to download, “The Best Of Season 1,” http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/TheComedyPointSoulJoel

If a picture could talk this one would say, “To Joel: Just thinking of you….”

What do you think?

Picture taken on Rich's Living The Dream Tour to Vegas

The clip was made by SJP’s Barbara Sanchez.

Wednesday night, although it was late around Midnight proved to be no different. A kid that couldn’t have been more than 7 years old starting talking to me at the front desk, while his Dad and I spoke to different attendees from The Sheraton.  He started going into a story about how he had a headache and all about his day.  Keep in mind, I had never met or seen him before in my life.  I quickly asked him to look at the huge tv screen by the elevators, he did a double take at me and the picture shown above.  “Is that you?” He asks.   “Yes,” I responded. “I produce all the comedy shows here at the hotel.”

The father and son walk towards the elevator and I hear him say to his Dad, “That was cool, Dad. He must be famous, he’s on TV!”

Life’s too short.  Enjoy every minute while it lasts and have fun! That’s what it’s all about.  Something that simple made that kid’s whole trip and now he has a story to tell.

Beauty and The Beast is a weekly relationship dating blog.  To have your question answered email Kendra directly at kendra@kendracunningham.com or thecomedypoint@gmail.com

The Beauty: Kendra Cunningham

I don’t know of too many people who still abide by strict sexual mores. The only time people start thinking about when they should do it is when either a) they want to do it immediately based on strong sexual chemistry or b)they don’t want to do it based on lack of sexual chemistry but they think the person is a good catch. I’m a big fan of sexual chemistry. I’ll bitch about celibacy for months at a time, maybe even a year, letting my slutty side lie dormant until I come in contact with someone I just have to have. But that’s not normal nor is it a great basis for long term relationships, although it can be done. Believe me. I’ve been known to turn a one night stand into two years of hopeful potential.

If you’r e trying to start a legitimate relationship, hold off for 3 – 5 dates before having sex. Set a limit of one date a week. That way you know the other person for about a month before you have your way with them. If you can hold out that long you probably don’t really want them that much anyway so it shouldn’t be an issue. Maybe you can hook up on the side in the meantime. It depends what you’re looking for in a relationship. I’m sexually dehydrated so all I can think about is the physical aspect. The bottom line is no matter what, if you really want to do it just do it, before you find yourself in my position, making up situations that you could do it in but not actually doing anything about it more than once every few months and that once is usually a repeat offender with no potential. Don’t take my advice. Really. Listen to Larry. My sex life is in shambles.

Thanks for listening!

Kisses-

Kendra

Kendra is a stand up comic living in Brooklyn where she owns a super comfortable bed. She spends most of her time wondering where the hell her sugar daddy is and hoping he didn’t settle.

www.kendracunningham.com

The Beast: Larry Loveless

The age old question of how quickly to round the bases.  Too quick?  Too slow?  There’s hopefully only 1 time that she’s the 1, but that sounds a tad bitter.  But seriously, if the kissing is passionate and things start escalating, then the mind gets cluttered.  At least from the male perspective, we can’t think clearly.  If a guy tries to be too aggressive, the girl will think we are like this all the time.  The answer is yes, we are guys of course, we are.

But that isn’t entirely true, there have been times where going slow felt like the right thing to do.  Although there was a bit of a dispute between the Southern and Northern heads of state.  Ultimately, in the end waiting for sex regardless of the reason, is the best thing to do.  If the relationship ends up lasting or even marriage, like that’s going to happen, the couple will have something to look forward to.  Plus, foreplay can be just as fun!  Guys you should try it sometime!

I will take this back to 8th grade terms and grant you a base per week! So don’t round 3rd and head home until at least a month.

Good luck,

Larry