Imagine walking through a crowded airport, rushing to catch your flight and there in the middle of the terminal is a radio studio with a guy giving financial advice live. Well you don’t have to imagine anymore. It’s a reality at Long Island MacArthur Airport courtesy of NewsRadio 103.9FM and that guy is Anthony the Money Guy.
Veteran Long Island business pundit Anthony Punzone is heard on the station every Monday night at 5 p.m. dishing out the latest information and assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs alike. A veteran of Wall Street, Punzone left a highly successful career about 20 years ago to branch out on his own. Having created his flagship brand, VAVAR Global, he glided seamlessly into more business services and telecoms before retiring several years ago.
At the height of the pandemic, Punzone started thinking about coming out of retirement. He saw an opportunity to help people while doing something he loves. Most people were laying low during the COVID-19 crisis but not Punzone. He started up Wall Street Banking Services. Going all in resulted in blockbuster returns in his first year. His firm single-handedly launched dozens of small businesses throughout the area. As he puts it, “My role is to deep dive into a client’s business and understand the function and flow.”
People are at the heart of what Punzone does and an important part of his overall success. It’s not a stretch to say he’s the ultimate family and friends guy. On any given day, you can find him at a school or sports function for his kids or helping a neighbor with a backyard project. It was at the insistent support of his family and friends that led to the launching of his radio show (“I’m not a radio guy but I can communicate with people really well.”) His weekly show on 103.9FM is already one of the most popular on the station. His website, www.anthonythemoneyguy.com allows those outside of the listening area to stream the program and get further information about it.
His network of contacts and lifetime of knowledge and experience make Punzone the right guy to talk about money matters today.
“I decided to open my own firm, specializing in small and medium businesses that need financing,” he explained, “It’s an important niche that needs to be served.” Punzone points out that small business owners are the backbone of the local and national economy. Main Street always funnels into Wall Street.
As his radio show and business continue to grow in popularity, Punzone remembers his roots. He is always involved in community programs and is looking for guests for his radio show from the local business arena.
“My advice to all business owners is to secure financing when you do NOT need it so it’s there when you do,” he advised.
Many financial gurus today are quick to predict the death of the small business market. Don’t tell that to Anthony Punzone, who believes in the entrepreneur’s spirit because he has been living it for the past two decades. Going forward, he looks to continue to help small business owners prosper and grow, whether it’s on the air, on the web or in his office.