Paul Guglielmo: From Radio Waves to Bottling Dreams -

Paul Guglielmo: From Side Hustle to Sauce Empire

Before Paul Guglielmo became the entrepreneurial powerhouse he is today, he was just a guy with a family recipe and a dream. Whether DJing weddings or organizing basketball leagues, Paul—who goes by Pauly—had no idea he was already flexing his entrepreneurial muscles.

Now, at 41, he’s the founder and CEO of Craft Cannery, a Genesee County-based food production company that’s changing the game for small food brands.

Craft Cannery: Paul Guglielmo’s Recipe for Success

It all started with marinara sauce. In 2014, Paul turned his family’s recipe into a side hustle, founding Guglielmo’s Sauce LLC. What started small quickly took off, landing on the shelves of over 500 stores, including Wegmans and Whole Foods.

But Paul wasn’t done. He teamed up with food industry veteran Tom Riggio to purchase a local bottling company—now known as Craft Cannery. Their mission? Help other food entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.

“Craft Cannery can reduce barriers to market,” Paul explains. “We believe dreams can become reality.”

From pasta sauces to salad dressings, the company provides top-notch bottling services. For aspiring food brands, Craft Cannery is the ultimate launchpad.

Paul Guglielmo: Taking the Leap

Paul’s journey wasn’t linear. After graduating with a psychology degree, he built a successful radio career. As a co-host on Rochester’s Brother Wease Show, Paul loved the energy of broadcasting.

But balancing 70-hour weeks with a growing sauce business left him at a crossroads. Paul chose to follow his entrepreneurial fire—and hasn’t looked back since.

“Running a business gives me a thrill I never got from radio,” he says.

Today, Craft Cannery continues to grow. A $500,000 win at the Grow NY Competition helped fund an expansion, doubling their space and adding new production lines.

Leading with Passion

Paul’s leadership style is all about action. There’s nothing he hasn’t done at Craft Cannery—whether it’s working the line or shoveling snow. “He leads by example,” Riggio says.

Beyond business, Paul gives back in big ways. From volunteering at Rochester Rotary to teaching cooking classes for local schools, he’s all about community impact.

Paul Guglielmo’s story is proof that passion, hustle, and a killer recipe can take you far. Whether you’re starting small or dreaming big, he’s living proof: with the right support, anything is possible.