Going Deep with Aaron Watson

How do you go from selling medical equipment to running a high-end clothing company? Ask David Alan.   David Alan Clothing company produces custom clothing, but it has been a long and arduous process to figure out this industry. In this interview, David graciously shares his experiences finding manufacturers in China, keeping celebrity clients happy, and outworking the competition.   David taught himself to sew from YouTube and sunk his life savings into making his company a reality. This degree of self-belief and diligence is exceptionally rare. Our conversation spilled over into our time after the mics went off. There will surely be a round two. Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   David’s Challenge; Recognize that there will always be disruption. Focus on your ability to deliver in spite of that disruption.   Connect with David Linkedin Instagram Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 349 with Bri Conley where we discuss running a boutique, how to stay on top of fashion trends, and the importance of Instagram for a clothing company. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram

There are plenty of people that think they have a good chili recipe. Very few bet their careers on it. That’s what first caught our eye about Jordan Robarge.   After working in the startup world as a Venture for America fellow, Jordan started a food truck business called Revival Chili. He found success quickly and was profitable within three months.   Revival Chili’s business is simple: Sell delicious chili products to the people of Pittsburgh in a tiny house style food truck. What makes it different, is Revival’s focus on creating jobs for unemployed ex-offenders, a disadvantaged group often overlooked in U.S. Cities.   After proving his business chops, Jordan doubled down and bought a diner. The goal is to put even more people to work.   In this conversation, Aaron and Jordan discuss how he cold-called his way to early success, how you can buy a business for less than $100,000, and what the Revival brand represents.   Jordan’s food truck, Revival Chili, will be a lunch option at the 2019 Going Deep Summit.   Jordan’s Challenge; Go out and connect with 5 people from different background. Have a tangible take away from each conversation.   Connect with Jordan Linkedin   Revival Chili Facebook   Nancy’s Revival Facebook   If you liked this interview, check out episode 157 with Andrew Yang where we discuss the start of Venture for America, why more people need to work at startups, and how other cities will benefit from this focus. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram

It takes guts, vision, and intelligence to see where things are going before everyone else and act upon it. Tracy Certo is the founder and publisher of NEXTpittsburgh, an online magazine about the people advancing Pittsburgh and the cool and innovative things happening in the region.   Tracy previously started the first online publication in Pittsburgh as editor and then publisher 11 years ago and left to launch NEXT in 2014.   In this conversation, Aaron and Tracy discuss how Tracy has grown as a business person, how she prepared the launch NEXT, and how her team finds their stories.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Tracy’s Challenge; Diversify where you get your information.   Connect with Tracy Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Website   If you liked this interview, check out our enormous catalog of interviews with Pittsburgh’s biggest influencers, top entrepreneurs, and largest power brokers.   Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

Rachel Reid founded her cosmetics company, Subtl Beauty, to better serve women on the go. Her line of makeup products comes in compact, customizable stacks that can be easily thrown into a purse or bag.   Rachel first realized this need when she was consulting during the summer of 2016. Since she wasn’t even spending 2 nights a week in her own home, she needed a beauty solution that traveled well and could fit in a small clutch.   Now, she is challenging the status quo of lazy, bulky cosmetic design. In this conversation, Rachel shares how she does extensive A/B testing to get the most out of her ads, why she studies companies like Stitch Fix, and the goals she is pursuing.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Rachel’s Challenge; Start your day with consuming good information.   Resources Daily Carnage Shopify Blog Adweek Newsletter Marketing School   Connect with Rachel Linkedin Facebook Instagram Website Rachel’s Instagram   If you liked this interview, check out episode 352 with Kate Zarvis where we discuss running a nail salon, how to retain talent, and how to create a space where clients can relax. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram

You gotta check out part One before listening to this one.   In Part Two, Jason discusses his current companies, how he invested in Glen Meakam's company (Forever.com), and how he thinks about giving back to others.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Jason’s Challenge; Give more. Be Kind. Pull someone else up.   Connect with Jason Linkedin Website jason@wolfe.com   If you liked this interview, check out episode 263 with Audrey Russo where we discuss what the Pittsburgh Tech Council does, how Audrey progressed through her career, and some recommended reading.   Also, check out Going Deep Summit 2.0 speaker Gisele Fetterman.

Jason Wolfe is an entrepreneur through and through. After growing up in the Milton Hershey School, an orphanage founded by Milton Hershey, Jason found himself living out of his car.   He taught himself how to code by using books at the local library and CompUSA's 'Building the Perfect Web'. This led to building the first coupon website and launching his first internet business. From 1995 to 2000, Jason built the business, raising $500k in VC from Jupiter Media and garnering >$1 million in annual sales and 20 million page views per month.   MyCoupons.com sold for roughly $23 million in 2000, shortly before the DotCom bubble burst.   Jason rolled over his proceeds into successive wins with his companies Direct Response Technologies (acquired by Digital River for $22 million), Jambo Media (for $15 million) and Giftcards.com (by Blackhawk Network for $120 million).   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.     Connect with Jason Linkedin Website jason@wolfe.com

Anthony Hughes is the CEO and founder of Tech Elevator, a coding bootcamp programs with physical locations across the Midwest. His work is oriented around supporting people in rapidly acquiring technology skills so they can have more meaningful careers.   Anthony previously worked for JumpStart, an economic development organization focused on startups in Northeast Ohio. At JumpStart, he founded the Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program, which matched successful entrepreneurs and executives with budding technology entrepreneurs in mentoring relationships.   In this conversation, Anthony and Aaron discuss how the program works, how Anthony came to the Midwest from England, and why the work is so fulfilling.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Anthony’s Challenge; Broaden your perspective on hiring tech talent. You don’t need a degree to be a valuable contributor.   Connect with Anthony Facebook Twitter Instagram Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 314 with John Dick, 265 with Kelauni Cook, and other interviews with Pittsburgh power brokers.   Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes |

Pittsburgh is a sports town. But, is the city ready to rally for gaming?   Rob Lee thinks so.   He co-founded the Pittsburgh Knights to compete in esports competitions like PUBG, Fortnite, and Super Smash Bros. He also recently inked a partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers.   Their core mission is to take the best practices from traditional sports and apply them to esports. Pittsburgh is the City of Champions; it has a long history of strong sports franchises and passionate fans. Can they continue the legacy?   In this conversation, Aaron & Rob discuss how that might happen.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Rob’s Challenge; Try watching an esports event.   Connect with Rob Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 344 with Griffin Schultz where we discuss smart sensors, fixing traffic with tech, and selling to city governments. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

I sat down with Jamilka Borges for 45 minutes on a cold December morning to find out. She’s run kitchens at a number of Pittsburgh’s finest restaurants and surely has some stories to tell from each experience.   Jamilka is currently the Executive Chef at Independent Brewing Company & Hidden Harbor, which is part of the S+P Restaurant Group. Prior to joining IBC & Hidden Harbor, she served as Executive Chef at Pittsburgh’s Spoon, the Livermore and Bar Marco.   She has an expertise in French, Italian and Latin cuisine and her commitment to a unique “farm to table” dining experience led Bar Marco to be nominated for Best New Restaurant 2013 by Bon Appetit.   In addition to pursuing her own professional heights, she also makes a concerted effort to give back to her community. She works with 412 Food Rescue, a non-profit organization that is looking to eliminate hunger while reducing food waste.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Jamilka’s Challenge; Help fight hunger with a local charity.   Connect with Jamilka Facebook Instagram Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out our episodes with star chef Kevin Sousa and Big Burrito Group executive chef Bill Fuller.   Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on

Jim Gibbs is the CEO & Co-founder of Meter Feeder, a low cost payment and enforcement solution for small to mid-sized governments.   Jim’s startup is modernizing the way that people pay for parking and has already been through Y Combinator in the winter of 2016. The company is headquartered in Braddock and can boast a considerably lower burn rate than companies that stuck around in the Bay Area.   In this conversation, Aaron & Jim discuss the how he sells into municipalities, why his technology is revolutionary, and how the Pittsburgh scene has evolved.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Jim’s Challenge; Get outside your circle and interact with new groups.   Connect with Jim Twitter LinkedIn Website   If you liked this interview, check out all the previous interviews we’ve done with Pittsburgh’s movers and shakers. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay