University at Buffalo School of Management

Autumn 2025 Buffalo Business 25 The power of rest Soda Kuczkowski, BA '00, CEL '17, is changing how people think about sleep. "Bedtime begins at breakfast," she says. "Everything that you do during the day sets the tone for sleep at night." As the founder and CEO of Start With Sleep LLC, Kuczkowski has transformed her deep expertise in sleep health into a mission-driv- en business. While working in sleep medicine, she identified a gap in community education and founded her organization to empower individuals with strategies that embrace both the science and art of sleep. Today, Start With Sleep LLC is a globally recognized provider of sleep health education, offering customized programs and training for health care professionals, school systems and corporate wellness initiatives. Her work has earned the attention of such organizations as Yelp and the American Heart Association, where she has served as both a coach and featured speaker. "Sleep is the foundation for personal and professional success. It is essential to our emotional, physical and mental well-being," she says. "For many women, rest oen takes a back seat to responsibili- ties, but reclaiming sleep is a powerful act of self-care and strength. When we are well-rested, we lead, create and care with greater clar- ity and confidence." Kuczkowski also is owner of The Doze, a lifestyle boutique offer- ing an exclusive line of curated sleep-enhancing products and the host of The Doze Podcast, where she continues to champion sleep as the cornerstone of health, performance and overall well-being. The mindset of health and longevity From the moment someone walks into Alessi Fitness, they are not just looking for a workout — they're looking for transformation. Derek Alessi, MBA '93, who founded the health and wellness center in 1999, has dedicated his career to guiding others toward better health. With more than 200 clients at any given time, Alessi focuses on lasting lifestyle changes and sees clients who reach out because they want to lose weight, drop body fat, reduce or eliminate medication, move better and live longer. "Seeking help doesn't mean you have failed," he says. "If a student comes to a teacher and says 'I want better grades,' it takes a combi- nation of classwork, homework and evaluations with accountability to improve. It is the same here. Fitness is the classwork, nutrition is your homework, and we offer support with smartphone tracking and personal coaching to reinforce positive habits for accountabil- ity — very different from the typical health club experience." Alessi's influence extends to media as well, with hundreds of podcast interviews each year and a history of long-running seg- ments on Buffalo's WKBW-TV and WGRZ-TV, including the popular The Healthy Zone. Today, his mission has expanded globally. As the founder and CEO of Strength Genesis Sports Supplements, Alessi has craed a line of supplements craed with the same personal intention as his successful coaching. "I always say: 'I only take what I make,'" he says. "I source the highest-quality ingredients that I want for myself, made from 100% Australian macadamia nut oil to Icelandic cold-processed omega-3 fish oil, and now I offer them to others." The brand's commitment goes beyond ingredients. Strength Genesis uses sustainable packaging that won't leach plastic and petroleum material into products, ensuring they are better for the body and the planet. "For me, it's personal," he says. "I'm always working to improve myself when it comes to fitness and nutrition and then I ask, 'What lessons can I pass along to my clients?'" Derek Alessi, MBA '93 Soda Kuczkowski, BA '00, CEL '17, in her lifestyle boutique, The Doze. Photo: Jason Belous Production LLC

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