ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP GUYS

Todd Leonardis and Steven Schneider know the power of a strong partnership. For more than twenty-five years, they have worked side by side, purchasing a struggling chemical plant in New Jersey and an industrial products company in New York, and transforming both into thriving multi-million-dollar industry leaders. Their collaboration was built on a shared vision, complementary skills, and an unwavering commitment to each other’s success.

Because of this foundation, Todd and Steven not only grew successful businesses but also created balance in their personal lives—raising families, taking vacations, and enjoying rich experiences beyond work. They proved that when a partnership is nurtured with trust, communication, and persistence, it can elevate every part of life.

Their success didn’t happen by chance. They sought out mentors, invested in workshops, and established a culture of open, honest communication that allowed them to confront challenges head-on. Over time, they built not just resilient businesses but also a resilient relationship, one that became the cornerstone of their accomplishments. As others began to notice, peers and industry colleagues wanted to learn from their example. That demand ultimately inspired the creation of The Partnership Guys, a consultancy devoted to helping business partners succeed.

In building this next chapter, Todd and Steven were joined by Rob Stolker. Rob brought with him a wealth of experience from partnerships that flourished as well as from those that fell apart. He had lived through the consequences of a poorly matched collaboration, one that dragged on for years and underscored how essential it is to choose the right people to work with. His perspective highlights the risks of the wrong fit and the critical importance of alignment in values and vision.

Together, Todd, Steven, and Rob form a team that blends success stories with hard-earned lessons. Their combined experience gives The Partnership Guys a unique ability to guide others—helping business partners resolve conflicts, improve communication, align goals, and ultimately build partnerships as strong and resilient as the businesses they lead.

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MEET THE PARTNERS

  • From a young age, Todd Leonardis has been all about hard work and genuine passion. His first job, dubbed "Patio Boy," had him on the maintenance staff of his town’s community pool at just 12 years old. It might sound humble, but for Todd, it was one of the best jobs of his life. He learned the importance of self-motivation, always asking, “What can I do next?” That early drive has stayed with him throughout his career.

    A true New Jersey native, Todd has a rich and varied professional background. Before teaming up with Steven, he ran and owned several retail businesses, including video stores in the late '80s and early '90s, and a pet superstore. He’s also been a property owner and manager and led multiple contracting and service companies, including mechanical contracting, HVAC-R, and cleanroom construction. He started his first company at the age of 22.

    Since partnering with Steven, Todd has shifted into the manufacturing industry, taking on roles in industrial chemical manufacturing, janitorial products, consumer household cleaning products, and surface finishing and abrasive blasting equipment and supplies. His partnership with Steven has been the cornerstone of his success, offering him the chance to grow, learn from his blind spots, and share the wild ride of business ownership with someone who truly “gets it.”

    Todd studied Accounting and Economics at Kean University, though he’ll tell you he “studied” rather than earned a degree. His education has served him well in his diverse career, but it’s his on-the-job experience and relentless curiosity about the world that really sets him apart.

    When he's not working, Todd enjoys staying informed on national and global affairs, cheering on his favorite football teams, walking, and spending time at the beach.

    But above all, his time is dedicated to his wife and two young children. They share a beach home with Chicken Nugget, a hairless sphynx cat, where they enjoy the simple pleasures of life, including endless playground visits.

    Todd values the calm, reflective nature of his business partner, Steven, who has taught him the importance of taking a moment to think before reacting. Together, they’ve built a partnership where Todd knows someone cares just as much as he does, allowing him to step back and focus on other areas of his life. And as for the best advice Todd’s ever received? "Stay humble—there's always someone quicker, smarter, and stronger out there."

Todd Leonardis

Founding Partner

  • Steven's entrepreneurial journey has been a testament to the power of partnership. With a background in multi-national chemical and food products, textile manufacturing, and consumer goods, Steven has navigated through diverse industries, each time emerging stronger and wiser.

    His career kicked off with an early post in fast food, where working at the cash register taught him a valuable lesson: trust, but always verify. Eager to move on from fast food, Steven earned a BS from Penn State and an MBA from Rutgers and quickly began working at the family business as a chemist, shortly thereafter taking the company over as President.

    Steven branched out when he started a business partnership with Todd Leonardis. Until this business partnership, his life had revolved around his role in his family's business. But it turns out that his relationship with Todd catalyzed his greater success. Having someone who always has his back, both in business and in life, has made him a better entrepreneur and a better person. His partner challenges him in a supportive and non-threatening (or aggressive) way, helping him grow continuously.

    When Steven isn't driving business growth, he's exploring his other passions—reading, cooking, and hiking. He is the proud father of three grown children from a previous marriage and shares a loving and supportive relationship with his beautiful wife, who continues to be his anchor. He has lived in Harrisburg, PA, and New Jersey, finding peace and inspiration in both places.

    Steven’s best piece of advice? Show up every day and do something. This simple yet profound mantra has guided him through countless challenges and continues to fuel his drive for excellence. Today, thanks to his strong business partnership, Steven can step away from the business—both physically and mentally—something he couldn't have imagined doing alone.

Steven Schneider

Founding Partner

  • I wasn’t a school kid. Classrooms bored me, and I spent most of my time staring out the window, feeling out of place. My parents divorced when I was four, and I learned early that I wanted more from the people around me — more trust, more respect, more joy. I didn’t have close friends growing up, but that changed in college. There I met Julie, who became my wife and the mother of our four amazing daughters, along with Marc and Jared, two of my greatest friends and eventual business partners.

    In college we started and failed at several ventures, but soon after, Marc called to tell me he was day trading. I joined him, and within a few years we built a trading floor with friends and sold it to E*TRADE. From there, I bought real estate with Shane and others, then launched Hummingbird Sports with Jared, creating the first-ever girls’ lacrosse helmet alongside former NFL great Shawn Springs. Today, I also co-own three Bubbakoo’s Burritos with my friend Wayne.

    Not all partnerships worked out. I once went into business with a neighbor I barely knew, and because we didn’t share values, it ended in a brutal ten-year lawsuit. That experience taught me that who you partner with matters as much as the idea. The wrong fit can unravel everything.

    Sports shaped me in other ways, too. My parents never attended a single game I played as a kid, so I made a promise to show up for my daughters. I coached all four of them in every sport they played and served over a decade as Vice President of the Holmdel Youth Athletic Association. Handling every conflict and complaint, I never had an issue with a parent — only gratitude.

    My advice? Do business with people you truly know. Take the time to understand their values, communicate openly, set clear expectations, and protect one another. When the fit is right, the results can be magic.

    That’s why I joined Steven and Todd at The Partnership Guys. They’re as trustworthy as every great friend I’ve successfully partnered with, and I’m proud to be building something important with them.

Rob Stolker

Senior Partner