In this episode, Maggie Shea sits down with Tom Murdock, Clinical Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Management, to unpack his nontraditional career journey — from corporate consulting to higher education — and how he’s helping shape the next generation of entrepreneurs in Western New York.

Tom shares how his early passion for economic development led him from Deloitte Consulting in New York City to Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and ultimately back to UB, where he now teaches entrepreneurship and innovation. Through his experience in consulting, business incubation, and education, Tom reveals the real “pain points” of building a meaningful career and a thriving startup ecosystem.

Together, Maggie and Tom discuss:

• The Pain Points of pivoting careers and returning to your hometown
• Lessons from corporate consulting and what they don’t teach in business school
• How UB’s incubator programs have helped create 500+ local jobs
• The most common mistakes new founders make when chasing funding or market fit
• The evolving role of Gen Z in the workforce — and what employers are really looking for
• Why successful entrepreneurs don’t quit their day jobs — they build smart side hustles

From startup growth to student mentorship, this episode highlights how purpose-driven leadership andpractical problem-solving are transforming Buffalo’s business landscape.

Connect with UB School of Management & Tom Murdock   

Website: https://mgt.buffalo.edu

LinkedIn: University at Buffalo School of Management

Email: murdock2@buffalo.edu

Connect with StaffBuffalo & Pain Points Podcast

Website: https://staffbuffalo.com

Episodes: https://staffbuffalo.com/painpoints

LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube: @StaffBuffalo

This episode is all about finding purpose, building resilience, and making an impact right where you are.