87:60 by Virtuoso

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with James Dowd, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Creative Officer at Rebellion Group, to talk about AI’s impact on jobs and innovation, brand integrity, and future strategy. They highlight the current state of AI adoption in workplaces, the importance of brands focusing on humanity, and the nuances required for a successful business to succeed. The conversation explores Agent XQ ...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Erin Choquette, CEO of CT Paid Leave, to discuss the many factors that shape the program and its impact on employers and employees alike. An employment lawyer by training, Erin spent years representing employers before stepping into her role at CT Paid Leave. The conversation touches on the challenge of “employer fatigue,” operational benefits of paid leave, and the gener...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Lisa Jacobi, Senior Vice President and Chief HR Officer at COCC (Connecticut Online Computer Center), to discuss the company’s rebrand, common recruitment challenges, and its focus on internal talent pipelines. COCC is a long-standing technology service provider for community banks and credit unions. Jacobi touches on the company’s impressive achievements: being recognize...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Andy Pforzheimer, founder and former CEO of bartaco and Barcelona Wine Bar, to talk about his journey from working in a restaurant to building two businesses from the ground up. Andy discusses his experience with successfully scaling restaurants, what he thinks makes a “decent human being,” and the business fallacy that is quantity over quality. His original plan didn&rsq...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Kyle DeVivo, Chief Operating Officer of DATTCO, alongside his father, Don DeVivo, President of DATTCO, to talk about what it really takes to modernize a business without losing a people-first philosophy. Kyle highlights his family’s humble beginnings running a dairy farm—crediting this experience as the foundation for DATTCO’s direct, family-first approach. From imp...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito talks with Joe Wilson Jr., Director of Providence’s Department of Art, Culture and Tourism, about what it actually takes to build a city people want to stay in, not just visit. From permitting and producing major public events like PVDFest to stewarding public art, nightlife strategy, and World Cup fan activations, Joe breaks down why “visitor experience” only works when it protec...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Vincent Errichetti, founder of Taste of Massachusetts and Taste of New England, to explore what travel and tourism content actually does when it’s done right: drive foot traffic, shape demand, and fuel local economies. From building a creator-owned brand after getting laid off, to realizing that storytelling consistently outperforms aesthetics and virality, Vincent breaks down ...

In this episode of 87:60, BJ Kito sits down with Becky Lewis, founder of Invictus Records, to explore a different kind of record label — one built to protect artists instead of exploiting them. Becky breaks down why most musicians still can’t make a living in a streaming-first world, how traditional contracts create massive power and information imbalances, and what it looks like to build a more transparent, partnership...

What does real marketing risk look like in 2026 and why does trust matter more than ever?

In this episode of 87:60, host BJ Kito dives into a wide-ranging conversation on brand risk, cultural backlash, and the myth of breakthrough marketing. Using recent campaigns from brands like YETI and American Eagle as examples, the group debates whether today’s safest strategies are actually the riskiest ones.

The discussion spans generat...

Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and fear. It’s about protecting the systems that hold the world together. In this episode, Justin Orcutt, Microsoft’s defense and cybersecurity lead for top global contractors, explains how “unknown unknowns,” AI, and zero trust are reshaping security. From nation-state threats and regulatory frameworks to Connecticut’s growing role as a defense and cyber ...

Artificial intelligence doesn’t have to live in the hands of a few. In this episode, Edward Zyszkowski, CEO and Chairman of Personal Digital Spaces, explains how decentralization, data licensing, and small, specialized models are reshaping the AI economy. From the early foundations of neural networks to today’s human-first design, Zyszkowski explores a future where consent, control, and compensation define digital progr...

111 years in business doesn’t mean playing it safe.

Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, is proving that legacy and innovation aren’t opposites — they’re fuel for each other. 

As the fifth-generation leader of a family company, she’s carrying forward more than a century of history while pushing into new markets, experimenting with technology, and rethinking what it means to build culture in modern ma...

Niko Zurita has spent his career scaling startups and building intentional workplace cultures. From early talent roles to leading People & Culture at Inbox Health, he’s helped companies grow with clarity, empathy, and operational focus.

Now, he’s applying that same mindset to a new challenge: group travel.

As co-founder of Vamos, Niko is solving the coordination chaos behind company retreats. Built for...

Behind Shaping CT's Future Pitch Competition is the powerhouse team at UConn’s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI). Executive Director Jennifer Mathieu and Assistant Director Alycia Chrosniak have helped launch and grow hundreds of startups, designing accelerator programs, securing funding opportunities, and mentoring founders.

This episode highlights what makes Connecticut’s startup ecosystem...

Orbit Crates is reimagining playtime with a toy rental service designed to reduce clutter, encourage sustainable play, and help families save money. Founder Kim Conti, a three-time AI product founder, left a C-suite role to build a mission-driven business tackling the environmental and financial waste of toy overconsumption. This episode highlights the inspiration behind Orbit Crates, lessons from early customer feedback, and her v...

Restore is a SaaS platform built for restaurants to track and resolve guest issues in real time, whether it’s handling concerns in person, offering rewards through the app, or using insights to improve service. Founder Nathan Catapano is focused on giving restaurant owners a credible, engaging tool that strengthens customer relationships and boosts operational performance. In this episode, Nathan shares how Restore helps hosp...