Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
121 episodes - English - Latest episode: 17 days ago - ★★★★★ - 46 ratingsThis is Pittsburgh – a place where a rich heritage of making things and a fierce independent nature come together to create a thriving entrepreneurial community. Whether you’re a small business owner looking for ideas or inspiration or you’re an enthusiastic supporter of local businesses, you’ll find it here. I’m your host, Darin Vilano, and this is the Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast.
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Episodes
Bet on Yourself | Jeff Krakoff, Owner of Krakoff Communications
April 08, 2024 19:41 - 36 minutes - 43.7 MBIn this episode, Jeff tells the story of how his company evolved over its 30-year history. It all started with a life-changing phone call when he was just a budding copywriter for an independent agency. He decided to “bet on himself” and start his own firm. In 2007, after 14 years in business, Jeff decided that he needed a change, so he took a senior position in a large PR firm. Seven years later, he was once again yearning for his role as an entrepreneur. He rebooted Krakoff Communications ...
Surround Yourself With Good People | Toni Shelaske, Owner of Healthy Pet Products
March 16, 2024 01:03 - 33 minutes - 40.8 MBToni Shelaske purchased Healthy Pet Products in 2008, and she has grown it to four locations. Her company stands out for its customer service and for specializing in raw pet food for dogs and cats. In our conversation, she explains the benefits of being a raw feeder and how she expanded that part of her business. By the way, this is a great episode for learning more about the reasons why someone would buy an existing business instead of creating one from scratch. Toni and I also talk about t...
Introducing Season 12 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
March 15, 2024 14:25 - 2 minutes - 12.3 MBThe theme for this season is “in studio” as I’m back in the studio recording with all of my guests. Check out the incredible lineup that I have for you in Season 12: Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products Jeff Krakoff, owner of Krakoff Communications Steve Dawson, owner of Fat Butcher Jen Worley, owner of Jen Barker Worley Photography Sidney and Terri Sokoloff, owner and founder of Specialty Group Patrick Schober, owner of Poetica Marketing Lisa Grazan, owner of Brilliant Biogra...
Get Good First | Destin LeCornu, Owner of Sunset Place Studio
February 29, 2024 18:25 - 37 minutes - 44.3 MBGetting to tour Destin LeCornu’s recording studio was an incredible opportunity. In this episode, he invites us behind the scenes to see everything that goes into making a state-of-the-art facility. The place has vintage vibes, and the multi-room setup gives you the sense that you walked onto a movie set. Destin is an audio engineer, producer, teacher, and accomplished musician. He plays several different instruments, and he is a vocalist too. In our conversation, he describes how his fathe...
Keep Nurturing Your Idea | Claire Landuyt, Owner of Chez Lapin
February 20, 2024 20:12 - 36 minutes - 43.7 MBDuring our conversation, Claire told the story of how she transitioned from theatre management to working for herself full time. She described how Chez Lapin evolved from a home-based Etsy shop to an established business with a full-fledged production facility. Claire’s focus on eco-friendly and cruelty-free products is clearly an important part of her mission. Over the years, she has donated her time and a percentage of profits to several different rabbit rescue organizations. “Chez Lapin”...
Adopt an Abundance Mindset | Chi Ilochi, Owner of Styling By Chi
September 01, 2023 03:58 - 40 minutes - 51 MBChi Ilochi is a one-of-a-kind fashion stylist whose work stands out in the local scene. Although Pittsburgh isn’t generally thought of as a fashion hub, Chi has managed to build a successful brand and business right here at home. Her refreshing approach has been one of inclusiveness and accessibility. Core to her mission is reaching groups of people who traditionally have been written off by the mainstream fashion industry. Chi has also engaged in projects with non-profits, which is rare in...
You Have to Be Patient | Dean Privett, Co-Owner of Moments Climbing USA
May 25, 2023 14:29 - 39 minutes - 46.4 MBIn this episode, I took a tour of Iron City Boulders in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Dean Privett, a co-owner of the indoor bouldering gym, showed me around while we talked about his impressive facility and the growing climbing industry. His journey to entrepreneurship was 10 years in the making, and he shared his amazing story with me during our time together. You can tell from listening to Dean just how much he loves climbing and the cohesive community he and his team are building in Pi...
Spend the Time to Get Advice | Nikhil Asher, M.D., Founder of Aspirational Health
April 04, 2023 11:34 - 41 minutes - 48.1 MBDr. Nikhil Asher realized his dream of creating an integrated health and wellness center when he opened Aspirational Health in 2022. The brand new facility, which was the site of a former fast food restaurant, features a spacious on-site yoga and fitness studio. In addition to traditional medical services, patients also have access to a complete wellness program, including nutrition management, fitness instruction, and physical therapy. Aspirational Health is an independent primary care med...
Believe and You Can Achieve | Jill Garcia, Owner of The Hutton Group
March 20, 2023 22:30 - 33 minutes - 40.5 MBIn this episode, I take a look at a beautiful local venue from a unique vantage point. My guest, Jill Garcia, owner of The Hutton Group, gives me a tour of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in downtown Pittsburgh. This is just one example of the many event spaces that she utilizes in and around the city for her business meeting and event planning company. Jill also travels throughout the United States and abroad, as she creates and executes corporate events that are customized for her many business c...
If You Have the Drive, Just Do It | Danielle Bombash, Co-Owner of Bombash and Earley
March 10, 2023 16:57 - 40 minutes - 47.4 MBIn this exciting “behind-the-scenes” episode, Danielle Bombash, co-owner of Bombash and Earley, gives us a tour of her store and production space. She and her husband, Tim, run the business out of a charming storefront that resembles a cottage-style home in McMurray, PA. Their impressive and extensive lineup of botanical skin care products is made entirely by hand in small batches from this location. After viewing their retail displays in the front of the store, I got to see their main prod...
Introducing Season 11 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
February 26, 2023 22:04 - 2 minutes - 12.3 MBSeason 11 consists of episodes that are all recorded “on location” at unique venues. I decided to get out of the studio and into the city in order to bring you behind the scenes of some amazing local businesses. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the nitty-gritty of how a business operates, then this is the season for you. Each episode includes a tour of the location, and we get access to parts of the business that most people never get to see. Plus, we have the added benefit of sittin...
Let People Know That You Care | Donna Vilano (My Mom), Retired and Former Owner of Studio 507 Hair Salon
January 27, 2023 22:53 - 35 minutes - 42.5 MBIf you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pro...
Today Is the Day | Jim Shorkey, Former Owner of the Jim Shorkey Family Auto Group
January 07, 2023 21:31 - 50 minutes - 56.5 MBIf you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pro...
Small Business Roundtable Discussion | Lauren Marts, Duztin Watson, and RJ Huebert
November 04, 2022 22:29 - 47 minutes - 53.8 MBI’m pleased to welcome three incredible guests back to the show – Lauren Marts, owner of Baked True North, Duztin Watson, owner of The RiP Group, and RJ Huebert, owner of HBT Digital Consulting. In this in-depth episode, we cover a wide variety of topics, including the critical role that small businesses play in the community and how to attract and retain talented people on your team. Plus, each of our guests gives us an update on the latest developments in their businesses and current trend...
Small Business Roundtable Discussion | TJ Fairchild, Dr. Natalie Gentile, and George Cook
October 22, 2022 18:39 - 53 minutes - 59.3 MBIn this all-star lineup of Pittsburgh entrepreneurs, Dr. Natalie Gentile, TJ Fairchild, and George Cook are all back on the show. We cover a wide variety of topics including the importance of investing in our local communities, when to build team, how to navigate a hybrid work environment, dealing with growth challenges, and much more. It was such a pleasure to sit down and chat with these dynamic small business owners. I was blown away by how committed they are to supporting our local commu...
Entrepreneurship Is a Game of Pivots | Ben Kander, Founder of Welly
October 01, 2022 01:28 - 58 minutes - 63.7 MBWelly was born from the lasting impression that Ben Kander’s late mother had on him and from his passion for addressing the water insecurity that is prevalent in much of the developing world. In fact, the name Welly stems from the combination of the word “wells,” which is central to the company’s mission of funding clean water projects, and the word “Elly,” which was the name his mom was affectionately known by. Ben decided that he wanted to do work that would have a positive impact on our g...
Figure Out What You're Good At | Christian Kahle and Matt Brudnok, Owners of Lucky Sign Spirits
September 21, 2022 10:00 - 49 minutes - 55.9 MBIf you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pro...
Introducing Season 10 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
September 17, 2022 12:13 - 4 minutes - 14.2 MBHello Pittsburgh. It’s your host, Darin Vilano, and I’m super excited to bring you the next season of the podcast. Season 10 is truly special. I will be bringing you some very unique episodes including a “live audience” recording, two group panels with prior guests, fascinating discussions with leading Pittsburgh entrepreneurs, and a conversation with my mom, Donna Vilano. Thanks for listening and for your support. If you’re enjoying the podcast, tell a friend. Keep spreading the word, and ...
Trust Your Gut | Samantha Story-Camp, Owner of Pip & Lola's
August 26, 2022 15:04 - 37 minutes - 44.2 MBSamantha Story-Camp’s purchase of a homemade soap recipe book was supposed to be a creative way for her to provide gifts to fellow theatre actors after the final night of performances. One evening, she found herself at a local small business association workshop on how to start a business. Her and a friend were interested in creating a singing telegram company with a unique spin. Their idea never got off the ground, but what she learned planted the seed for another entrepreneurial venture. A...
Own Your Time | Brandon Gilbert, Owner of the Pittsburgh Mobile Tire Shop
August 10, 2022 15:53 - 36 minutes - 43.6 MBBrandon Gilbert decided to put his business and mechanical engineering background to work in his own company when he started the Pittsburgh Mobile Tire Shop. After numerous subpar experiences at traditional repair stores, he decided that there had to be a better way to provide this important service. Low startup costs and lack of competition in the region enticed Brandon to launch a mobile operation where he could bring the tire shop directly to his customers. In this relaxing and low-pressu...
Believe That You Can Do It | Taylor Fowler, Owner of Taylor Fowler Writing and PR
July 29, 2022 16:06 - 36 minutes - 43.8 MBAt the beginning of 2020, Taylor Fowler was at a crossroads in her career. She had a full-time job, but she also had a few clients in her copywriting and public relations business. Unsatisfied with the feeling of burnout that this was causing, she made a decision to go all in as an entrepreneur. Although progress took time, she started to gain momentum with attracting clients and doing the work that she loved. She also started to build confidence in the area of public relations, which wasn’t...
Know What's Most Valuable to You | Jason DeRose, Owner of Gymsupps
July 18, 2022 15:34 - 38 minutes - 45.9 MBJason DeRose was working as a strength and conditioning coach for a local high school in 2005 when it became the focus of a nationally televised reality show on ESPN. The football team, which was once the pride of its Pittsburgh-area community, was on a perennial losing streak. This all turned around once Dick Butkus and other NFL and top collegiate coaching and training talent entered the picture to lead the team for one season. Jason soaked up this opportunity to learn all that he could, a...
There's More Than One Way to Give Back | Carolyn Keller, Owner of Curio412
June 30, 2022 22:26 - 37 minutes - 44.1 MBIn 2019, Carolyn Keller decided that it was time to put her non-profit operational and curatorial background to work in her own firm. She launched Curio412 as consultancy designed for organizations that want to make a lasting impact with their philanthropic missions and giving strategies and programs. As a proud Pittsburgh native, Carolyn chose to put the 412 in her business name as a reminder of the important work that needs to be done in our regional communities and neighborhoods. From th...
See Your Idea All the Way Through | Jordan Schulz, Co-Owner of Lifeside Studios
June 25, 2022 20:55 - 47 minutes - 53.4 MBWhen Jordan Schulz was introduced to Zach Miller in 2019, little did they know that their collaboration would take them far beyond the performance stages of Pittsburgh. At the time, Jordan was looking for a guitarist to complement his vocals, and Zach was open to trying out a few gigs with someone new. Their musical styles, instincts, and preferences were similar, and they quickly hit it off. But it was when they began to spend more time together off stage that they realized just how much th...
Be Tenacious and Committed to Your Idea | Elisabeth Leach, Co-Founder of The Women's Collective PGH
June 12, 2022 03:45 - 34 minutes - 42 MBWhen Elisabeth Leach met Andrea Belen-Sandhorst in late 2019, they started a conversation about what they valued most in a networking group. Both were developing their own businesses and careers, and they were interested in meeting new people. Although there were other industry-specific and leadership groups available to them, they felt that the Pittsburgh market really needed an organization that catered to the unique needs of women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in all industrie...
You Have to Do the Work | Emily Bezak, Owner of Emily Bezak Writes
June 03, 2022 19:01 - 38 minutes - 45 MBEmily Bezak’s love for writing began at a young age with journaling and storytelling. She created and maintained a freelance writing business, while she developed her corporate career as a marketer and communications professional. In 2020, Emily wrote a blog post announcing that she would soon leave her job to work full time in her own business. Early that same year, she launched Emily Bezak Writes to offer a suite of social media, copywriting, content creation, and marketing services to bot...
We Manifest Our Own Reality | Jan Receski, Owner of OnPar Now
May 14, 2022 20:41 - 36 minutes - 43.7 MBAfter a successful 30-year career at prominent local company, Jan Receski was ready for a new challenge, not an early retirement. As she was contemplating her next move, inspiration struck following a poor golf club fitting experience. Selecting and trying out new equipment should be a fun and exciting time for any golfer, yet Jan left feeling underserved, misunderstood, and slightly offended. She quickly realized that the local market was lacking in golf establishments that catered to the n...
Get Out of Your Own Way | James Mauler, Founder of Cadnetics
May 08, 2022 03:57 - 36 minutes - 43.6 MBJames Mauler was still early in his career when he decided to leave college and take a more hands-on approach with his education. Instead of completing a five-year degree in architecture, Jim realized that he could achieve his professional and financial goals by putting his drafting skills to work on the job. As an example, when computer-aided design (CAD) software was still in its infancy, he was the first person in his firm to volunteer to learn how to use it. This made him a go-to resourc...
Start With Why | Patrick Colletti, Refounder of Net Health
May 01, 2022 03:58 - 40 minutes - 47.3 MBIn the beginning of his career at Net Health, Patrick Colletti was faced with an unexpected opportunity and a steep hill to climb. It was the early 2000s and the company was teetering on the edge of collapse when board members asked him and another colleague if they wanted one last shot at turning it around. With a lack of job prospects in the wake of 9/11, Patrick felt that he had nothing to lose in giving it a try. The first few years were rough, but their newly organized team eventually g...
Be as Real as Possible | Jess Iacullo, Founder of Hungry Jess Big City
April 23, 2022 20:36 - 38 minutes - 45.1 MBJess Iacullo started her brand, Hungry Jess Big City, as a passion project. It also served to give her a leg up on internship opportunities while she was a student at the University of Pittsburgh. Little did she know at the time but in a few short years her Instagram page would explode to over 35,000 followers. After working with a number of noteworthy media companies, such as Forbes, Business Insider, Food Network, and Discovery Plus, Jess realized that her increasing online popularity may ...
Get Clear With What You Want | Adam Williams, Founder of Rust Belt Business Law
April 16, 2022 17:05 - 44 minutes - 51.4 MBDeep in his heart, Adam Williams always knew that he was an entrepreneur. After a relatively short stint working for others, he decided that it was time to hang his own shingle. At first, like with many startups, Adam launched his business as a side gig. But six months later, he was making more money working for himself than at his regular job, plus he had all of the gratification that came with operating his own business. What first began as the Law Office of Adam Williams has been cleverly...
Take It One Step at a Time | Dr. Shayla Cammarata, Owner of Ignite Yoga
April 02, 2022 16:13 - 34 minutes - 41.9 MBAn intensive weeklong yoga teacher training in Costa Rica served as a major turning point in Dr. Shayla Cammarata’s relationship to her yoga practice. She was dealing with several very difficult circumstances in her personal and professional life, and this retreat proved to provide the breakthrough that she needed. Upon her return, she embraced yoga wholeheartedly and committed herself to the practice. When her home studio in Wexford closed during the pandemic, Dr. Shayla and many others fro...
Surround Yourself With People Who Share Similar Goals | Sydney Smyers, Co-Owner of The Maverick Co-Working Space
March 27, 2022 00:25 - 36 minutes - 43.4 MBSydney Smyers is a serial entrepreneur with three businesses under her belt. Her latest venture, The Maverick Co-Working Space, is a modern and comfortable co-working office located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. She and her husband did the bulk of the renovation work to get the location cleaned up and opened in the fall of 2021. The result is a bright, colorful, and flexible space that inspires creativity and productivity. In this episode, Sydney talks about what it’s like to be a partne...
Introducing Season 9 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
March 19, 2022 14:37 - 4 minutes - 14 MBHey, everyone. Season 9 is here! It’s full of in-depth conversations and inspiring stories that I know you will enjoy. Sydney Smyers, owner of The Maverick Co-Working Space, talks about the need for co-working locations in the suburbs. Dr. Shayla Cammarata, owner of Ignite Yoga, describes the important role that yoga studios play in the community. Jess Iacullo, founder of Hungry Jess Big City, tells the story of how a college side project exploded into a brand and business with a huge Insta...
Small Business Roundtable Discussion | Kristen Ricupero, Wendy Gilch, and Jessie Tait
March 12, 2022 23:38 - 56 minutes - 62.3 MBKristen Ricupero, owner of Financial Fitness Coaching, Wendy Gilch, owner of SellingLater.com, and Jessie Tait, owner of Enspra, are my guests for this small business roundtable episode. All three of them have been on the show previously, and each contributes generously to a dynamic, relevant, and entertaining discussion. Some of the many topics we cover include lessons learned from business mistakes, how to recession-proof your business, setting an example for your kids as a mompreneur, and...
Small Business Roundtable Discussion | Matt Marietti, John Vella, and Fiore Moletz
March 01, 2022 04:57 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBI’m excited to debut a new interview format that I plan to bring you periodically throughout the year. Many of you have reached out to me asking for updates on previous guests. There has also been tremendous interest in hearing from small business owners with respect to current events and topics. So, I decided to sit down with several of our very own podcast alumni to get their take on what’s happening out there. In this first small business roundtable discussion, Matt Marietti, owner of d...
Small Business Roundtable Discussion | Matt Marietti, Fiore Moletz, and John Vella
March 01, 2022 04:57 - 1 hour - 69.4 MBI’m excited to debut a new interview format that I plan to bring you periodically throughout the year. Many of you have reached out to me asking for updates on previous guests. There has also been tremendous interest in hearing from small business owners with respect to current events and topics. So, I decided to sit down with several of our very own podcast alumni to get their take on what’s happening out there. In this first small business roundtable discussion, Matt Marietti, owner of d...
Darin's Guest Appearance on the Evolution of Brand Podcast
February 18, 2022 21:39 - 45 minutes - 52.1 MBI had an amazing time sharing my story on Evolution of Brand, a podcast created and hosted by Jason Cercone. People often ask me why I created the Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast. In fact, it’s one of the most frequently asked questions that I receive from listeners and guests. So, it was incredible to be able to talk with Jason in detail about my ideas and the passion that I have for my work. As you will hear in our conversation, the podcast is a culmination of three things that I love an...
Keep Moving Until You Find a Way | Corry Smith, Owner of CorEats | LIVE Podcast Event
February 10, 2022 22:14 - 49 minutes - 55.2 MBCorEats, a packaged food company founded by Corry Smith, had its roots in her family’s health journey which began fifteen years ago. What started as a series of strange systems experienced by her eldest daughter turned into major dietary and wellness changes for everyone in the household. Replacing the standard American diet with a whole foods diet turned out to be the difference maker they were searching for. Corry’s dissatisfaction with many of the gluten-free options she found in the supe...
Use Your Fear to Motivate Yourself | Edgar Snyder, Founder of Edgar Snyder & Associates
January 28, 2022 17:43 - 57 minutes - 62.7 MBAlthough Edgar Snyder is a Pittsburgher who needs no introduction, his personal and professional story may surprise you. In his candid conversation with me, Edgar talks about the challenges he went through and the negativity he endured as a result of doing something new and different in the legal profession. With the abundance of legal advertising today, it’s easy for us to forget just how unique this was in the early 1980s when he was starting Edgar Snyder and Associates. A landmark U.S. Su...
Introducing Season 8 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast
January 20, 2022 21:31 - 5 minutes - 15.2 MBHello, Pittsburgh. I’m excited to introduce a brand-new season for you – and it’s jam-packed with unique episodes and bonus content. Season 8 has been an incredible one for me to record and produce, and I can’t wait to share the full episodes with you. I had the great honor and privilege of interviewing attorney, Edgar Snyder - a person that I admire for the firm he has built, the trail he has blazed, and the philanthropic work he has done in Pittsburgh. I’ve been watching Edgar Snyder on T...
Honesty Is Always the Best Policy | Matt Dayton, Co-Owner of Pure Air
December 31, 2021 20:16 - 38 minutes - 45.1 MBAfter working for a number of years in the mold remediation industry, Matt Dayton decided that it was time to start his own company. He saw an opportunity to offer both an affordable and high-quality service to the many low-income households that were being neglected in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He grew up in a low-income household, so he knew that these were the very people that needed this type of service the most. Matt grew tired of watching underserved families get priced out the mar...
Running a Business Is About More Than Just Following a Passion | Russell Michelson, Owner of Paper Box SEO
December 19, 2021 02:27 - 34 minutes - 41.8 MBAfter a short stint working in a corporate job, Russell Michelson knew that he wanted to start his own business. He just had to figure out where to focus his energy and skill development. He gravitated to technology, but he quickly realized that website design wasn’t his thing. Instead, search engine optimization offered the opportunity to work in tech and the challenge of using analytical skills in order to master this incredibly complex domain. When he relocated to Pittsburgh, Russell als...
Sometimes You Just Have to Take a Chance | Sara Ponsoll, Owner of Boheme Pittsburgh
December 02, 2021 16:32 - 41 minutes - 48.6 MBSara Ponsoll applied her years of experience working the craft and maker markets of NYC when she launched Boheme Pittsburgh earlier this summer. Operating Kitschtopia, her vintage jewelry business, taught her a great deal about what it takes to create a thriving venture as a curator in the world of artisan and one-of-a-kind items. Sara saw that Pittsburgh was lacking a unique space that could serve as a launchpad for local makers, designers, and curators. She created Boheme Pittsburgh to ca...
Never Be Afraid to Pivot | Sarah Kaminski, Owner of Best Ever Granola
November 20, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 44.4 MBDuring the pandemic, Sarah Kaminski successfully pivoted her business from The Veg Out Project to Best Ever Granola. After multiple iterations, she eventually nailed the final recipe which she and her family affectionately dubbed as the “best ever.” As a brand-new food entrepreneur, Sarah approached her business with a fresh perspective and without overthinking her strategy. She quickly realized that there was a need in the local market for an artisan-made, small batch granola. Today, Sarah...
Set Yourself Apart From the Competition | John Graf, Owner of the Priory Hospitality Group
November 05, 2021 20:32 - 35 minutes - 42.4 MBIn 1984, John Graf’s parents purchased a condemned monastery and church in the Deutschtown neighborhood. After pouring lots of hard work, passion, and money into the project, they were able save the properties and turn them into a beautiful hotel and event space. After a massive renovation and addition in 2011, the Priory Hotel now consists of 42 rooms and the Grand Hall at the Priory has become a mainstay for weddings and special events in the city. In recent years, John has added to his co...
Do What Is Authentic to You | Natalie Gentile, M.D., Co-Founder of Direct Care Physicians of Pittsburgh
October 30, 2021 21:53 - 36 minutes - 43.4 MBAs Natalie Gentile, M.D. was planning to move back to Pittsburgh with her family, she began searching for a way to practice medicine that fit her desire for a patient-focused approach. The type of comprehensive and wellness-centered care that she was interested in seemed to be disappearing from modern clinical medicine. Through conversations she had with her mentor, she discovered the direct primary care (DPC) practice model. By cutting out insurance companies and third parties from influenc...
Find a Partner to Compliment Your Skill Set | Kelly Sanders & Monica Yope, Owners of love, Pittsburgh
October 23, 2021 20:17 - 34 minutes - 41.9 MBIn 2017, Kelly Sanders and Monica Yope met at a tech conference. As the two lone, non-tech creatives in the room, they quickly became friends. As they got to know each other, they discovered their common passion for supporting local makers. Inspired by a shared vision, they realized that the city needed a physical space to showcase the abundance of talent in our region. So, they decided to turn the building that Monica found in Mt. Washington into their first love, Pittsburgh location. Fast...
Know What You're Getting Into | Derek Davies, Owner of Cafe Conmigo
October 15, 2021 20:51 - 37 minutes - 44.1 MBDerek’s inspiration to create Café Conmigo originated from a trip he took to Argentina. It was there that he fell in love with a quaint little cafe, which featured delicious coffee served in a tranquil space and enveloped with ample arrangements of lush green plants. During his time in college, he developed a further affection for Latin American culture through the relationships he nurtured with his many Spanish-speaking friends. Although he attended school in Austin, Texas, he felt as thoug...
Go Get It | Mark Caskey, Founder of Steel Nation
October 08, 2021 19:07 - 35 minutes - 43 MBIn 2008, Mark Caskey took a risk and left his employer and the coal industry he knew so well in order to make a fresh start in the oil and gas industry. Frustrated that his former company didn’t want to take advantage of the Marcellus Shale natural gas field that had recently started to develop, Mark launched his own firm called Steel Nation. He began with just $6,000 and the ability to design and oversee the construction of specialty steel buildings. Natural gas involves a different set of ...