Shovel the Sidewalk

04/21/2026

Stop scripting your stories.

Everything is staged. That’s why Late Night TV is losing.

If your company videos feel like a late-night talk show, rehearsed, stiff, and calculated, you’re losing your audience.

In this clip, Steve shares why long-form, authentic conversation is exploding and why businesses need to ditch the script to win trust.

It’s time to move from "produced" to "real."

04/10/2026

If you want to win in 2026, it’s very simple.

Be human and be relatable.

Not more polished and not more "perfect". And definitely not more corporate.

People don’t connect with scripts, they connect with real people.

Facts and data matter, but what people remember is how you made them feel.

That comes from your story, your experiences, and your energy.

If it feels real, people pay attention and if it feels human, people trust you.

That’s how you win in 2026.

01/23/2026

We believe humanizing businesses starts with the power of sound and real conversation. 🎙️

Very cool to see our founder, Steve Fortunato, featured as a guest on the Marketing Agency Power Hour podcast, where he dives into what it really means to build brands that feel human.

Links to the full episode are in the comments!

12/11/2025

We had an awesome experience this week working with Ree Dolnick, the founder of JECA Energy Bars and a customer of MOD-PAC.

We joined Ree and the MOD-PAC team for a Press OK, reviewing Pantone colors and capturing a true behind-the-scenes look at the customer experience of printing paperboard packaging.

What made this project stand out?

Everything was unscripted and authentic.
Just real storytelling, the kind we believe every business should be sharing.

Ree’s story is incredible. Before founding Jeca, she was a sous chef, then a cancer researcher, and eventually discovered a need for clean, all-natural energy bars in a market full of preservatives. Her passion and attention to detail shine in every frame.

Huge shoutout to Tony Sabuda from MOD-PAC, who has been absolutely crushing it on LinkedIn. He’s really establishing himself as a thought leader in the paperboard packaging space, and it’s inspiring to see a global manufacturer embrace the power of storytelling.

Every business has a story worth telling.

More stories coming soon. 🎥

10/30/2025

Most companies say “recruitment and retention.”

The smart ones flip it.

At MOD-PAC Careers, they lead with retention.

Because when you take care of the people you have, the right people notice.

You walk the MOD-PAC floor and see it everywhere, photos of real team members like Tim, who’s been there since 1984.

The photos aren't decoration. They’re a message.
To their team: We see you. We trust you. We value you.
To the outside world: This is a place worth belonging to.

That’s not HR. That’s brand storytelling done right.

08/21/2025

The best equipment and the best story in the world won’t matter if the person telling it isn’t comfortable.

You can’t force content out of someone. You can’t script authenticity.

If someone feels stiff or guarded, change the environment. Read the room. Bring in a familiar face from your team to help them relax.

Because the real magic in storytelling doesn’t come from perfect production, it comes from people speaking from the heart.

That’s what makes a story authentic. And authenticity is the only way to truly connect.

07/31/2025

Recently, we had the opportunity to record a tour of the MOD-PAC plant, helping capture some behind-the-scenes storytelling in real time.

Moments like these are why storytelling matters. It connects people to purpose, shows the heart behind the work, and helps future talent see where they could fit in.

06/09/2025

We had a great time recording with Dr. Chohan at Great Lakes Medical Imaging last week.

Every time we get the chance to talk with doctors like him, we walk away learning something new.

It's fascinating to see how innovation in imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques are changing the game for patients.

It's a privilege to help tell these stories.

05/26/2025

04/10/2025

Unexpected changes can turn into unforgettable experiences.

On a recent trip back home from Goose Creek, SC, after recording stories of some incredible volunteer firefighters, our flight plans were suddenly changed.

We were disappointed, knowing it meant we'd miss time with our families, which we had really been looking forward to.

But as it turns out, the change was meant to be.

On the flight back, we had the absolute honor of traveling alongside many veterans, including two from World War II.

Meeting these heroes turned a stressful day into one we’ll never forget.

Grateful for their service and their stories. 🇺🇸

Another job well done by Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight!👏