YOU CAN REACH ME AT:Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH DEREK DAVIES AT:Website: https://www.cafeconmigo.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cafeconmigocoffeeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/CafeConmigoCoffeeEmail: info@cafeconmigo.com

Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

Know What You're Getting Into | Derek Davies, Owner of Cafe Conmigo

YOU CAN REACH ME AT:Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH MARK CASKEY AT:Website: https://steelnation.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelnationbuildingsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/steel-nation-inc-Phone: 724-225-2202

Go Get It | Mark Caskey, Founder of Steel Nation

Hello, Pittsburghers. The line-up for Season 7 is impressive. I will be talking to Mark Caskey, founder of Steel Nation – a remarkable company that designs and constructs steel buildings in the oil and gas industry. I also have Derek Davies on the show. He is the owner of Café Conmigo – a tranquil oasis and gathering spot located in the North Hills. I sit down with Kelly Sanders and Monica Yope, owners of the love, Pittsburgh stores, which are wonderfully curated shops featuring locally made goods. I talk to Dr. Natalie Gentile, founder and owner of Gentile Family Direct Primary Care – a medical practice that’s working to reshape the primary care landscape in our region. John Graf is on the podcast. In the 1980s, his family helped save several historic properties in the Deutschtown neighborhood and turn them into what is known today as the Priory Hotel and Grand Hall. I speak with Sarah Kaminski, owner of Best Ever Granola – and let me tell you, her product lives up to its name! And, I chat with Sara Ponsoll, owner of Boheme Pittsburgh – a unique marketplace and incubator for local artisans, makers, and curators. These are just some of the amazing entrepreneurs and small business owners that you will hear from in this season.If you have ideas for the podcast, know someone that would be an excellent guest, or if you just want to share some feedback, please reach out to 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247

Introducing Season 7 | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

If the past year and a half has taught us anything, it’s that the ability and willingness to change are critical attributes for every business owner. Adaptation is important to survival, and it’s always been a mantra in modern business. But the pandemic has challenged us more than any other event in recent times. The really interesting thing is that entrepreneurs who are growth oriented and open to ideas tend to have an advantage when faced with change under difficult circumstances. In other words, they are not overly romantic about their business concepts. Instead, they are more interested in the best ideas and doing what actually works in the marketplace.In this final episode of Season 6, Mike Sharp, owner of the Sharp Insurance Agency, talks with me about the power of adaptation and change. We discuss what we’ve both seen and experienced during the pandemic, including some creative examples of small business survival. We also go through several ways that small business owners can position themselves to be nimble and flexible in an uncertain world. The ability to pivot has been front and center in our concept of business and startups for a while now, but this recent macro-economic shock has put it to the test like never before.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH MIKE SHARP AT:Website: https://www.sharpinsagency.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharpinsagencyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharp.insuranceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkshrpEmail: msharp@sharpinsagency.comPhone: 412-207-9047

The Ability to Adapt Is More Important Than Ever | Mike Sharp, Guest Host

If you own a business, then the inevitable reality is that you are also a salesperson. You may not think of yourself as one, and you probably didn’t get into business to hone your sales skills, but this is a fact of entrepreneurship. Understanding this distinction can mean the difference between starting fast or slow during the critical early days of a company’s life. The good news is that “sales” no longer has to mean high-pressure tactics or sleight of hand designed to get people to buy. Those days are over, and consumers see right through the tricks. People want to choose to “buy” instead of being “sold” to. In today’s information age with an abundance of choices, the public now holds the power.In this episode, Mike Sharp, owner of the Sharp Insurance Agency, joins me as my guest host for a lively discussion about this consequential and relevant topic. We talk about the importance of listening, asking questions, and assessing fit with clients and customers. More than ever before, selling is about educating and advising. It’s about becoming a trusted guide, not about sleazy practices. This will be welcome news to anyone with a natural aversion to selling. Mike and I cover a lot of territory in our conversation, as we both relate how selling has shaped our experiences as employees and business owners.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH MIKE SHARP AT:Website: https://www.sharpinsagency.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharpinsagencyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharp.insuranceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkshrpEmail: msharp@sharpinsagency.comPhone: 412-207-9047

Why Every Entrepreneur Is Also a Salesperson | Mike Sharp, Guest Host

Mike Sharp, owner of the Sharp Insurance Agency, is back on the show in this new Season 6, but this time he is a “guest host.” In this episode, we discuss the book “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. During a recent phone call, we both realized that we just read it and thought it would make an excellent topic to kick off this new season. The book is full of powerful insights as it pertains to business, relationships, parenting, and really all aspects of life. If you haven’t read the book, it’s okay. We review the highlights and its main premise, which makes it easy to follow along with our conversation.So many great insights and ideas came out of our discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed the format for this new mini-season, and I hope you will too. My plan is to do several of these special seasons each year where I invite previous guests back onto the show for engaging conversations covering topics that are relevant to small businesses and our community. If you have any suggestions for guests that you’d like to see back on as a “guest host” or if you have subject ideas for a future episode, please let me know. Your feedback is always appreciated.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH MIKE SHARP AT:Website: https://www.sharpinsagency.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharpinsagencyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharp.insuranceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkshrpEmail: msharp@sharpinsagency.comPhone: 412-207-9047

The Power of Mindset | Mike Sharp, Guest Host

Hey, Pittsburghers! I just wanted to say a few words about the pandemic, the state of the podcast, and what we’ve all been through this past year-and-a half. Season 5, which I started at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, has been a season of learning and adaptation. Like everyone else, I had to figure out how to go virtual and remote with my work and art. I’m so proud of the episodes in Season 5. If you want to get a feel for how the pandemic has affected many of our small businesses, just listen to these episodes.While the past year-and-a-half has been challenging and difficult and even tragic for many people, I still see hope and optimism every day in my work and in the people that I speak with. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that it will include change. It will require flexibility, nimbleness, and adaptation. Like everyone else, I see what happens each day and adjust accordingly. Right now, that means I’m doing some of my interviews in-person. In other cases, they are still virtual. As I look to the near future, I see the podcast taking on a hybrid form. My interviews and conversations will consist of both of these modes. I look forward to the day when nearly all of my episodes are in-person. That’s the essence of this local show – dynamic and energetic dialogue between people who love small businesses and our great city.So, enjoy this special Season 6 with me and my “guest host” Mike Sharp. Then, I will be back with Season 7 and more of the engaging, informative, and entertaining conversations with small business owners that you have come to love.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247

Introducing Season 6 and the State of the Podcast | Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH MATT BLISTAN AT:Website: https://www.theblistangroup.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blistancpaEmail: contact@theblistangroup.comPhone: 412-564-5431

Assemble a Great Team From the Start | Matt Blistan, Owner of The Blistan Group

Karen Bartos became fascinated with photography at the age of nine when she received her first camera. Her love for the art form grew with her discovery of Ansel Adams, which inspired her own landscape work. Years later, she was asked by friends if she would consider taking their son’s high school senior photos. Karen decided to give it a try, and she instantly felt drawn to the connection of working with people. After seven years of senior photography, she began to realize that the mothers of her subjects needed some pampering and attention too. This gave her the inspiration to create Luxe de Fleur Boudoir, a transformational photography experience designed to celebrate the fierce beauty inside of every woman.Initially, Karen was hesitant and unsure of her decision to embark on this new line of work. She even battled with “imposter syndrome” in the very beginning, which made her seriously contemplate quitting. But when the photo shoots started, the magic began to happen. She saw the range of emotions that her clients went through as they realized and appreciated their own beauty. Over the years, she has shared laughs and tears with these wonderfully strong women, and some of them have become her friends as a result of the bonding experience that happens during this process. In our conversation, Karen talks about the most rewarding aspects of her work and she shares some of her favorite memories from her time spent with clients.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH KAREN BARTOS AT:Website: https://www.karenbartos.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/luxedefleur_boudoirFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/luxedefleurboudoir

Continue to Work on Yourself | Karen Bartos, Owner of Luxe de Fleur Boudoir Photography

Jason Cercone’s experience with podcasting expanded in 2019 when he launched the Breaking Brews Podcast. He transitioned his existing blog, which he started in 2014 to highlight the business side of the craft beer industry, into a podcast format in order to take advantage of the rapid growth happening in audio. With the arrival of the pandemic in 2020 and its subsequent slowdown of the food and beverage industry, Jason had the opportunity to reevaluate his career choices. Although he remained intrigued with the beer business, his work as a podcaster allowed him to develop an even greater passion. He began to consider how he could pivot his company in a way that would allow him to work solely on podcasts.In 2020, armed with one full-time podcast client, Jason rebranded his business as Cercone Consulting. His firm specializes in helping companies and personalities to create, produce, market, and grow podcasts in order to develop audiences and enhance brands. Today, he offers a complete suite of services for podcasters, which includes editing, booking guests, theme development, and strategy. In our conversation, Jason shares some amazing advice for budding podcasters, including what he believes are the right and wrong reasons for starting a show.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH JASON CERCONE AT:Website: https://jasoncercone.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncerconeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cerconeconsultingTwitter: https://twitter.com/jasoncerconeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncercone

Don't Get Discouraged Too Quickly | Jason Cercone, Owner of Cercone Consulting

When Katy and Jose Rosa found themselves out of work in 2019, they decided to try something completely different. After years of working in oil and gas, they were worn out by the ups and downs of such a cyclical industry. Much to Jose’s surprise, Katy had just started to feed their family 100% plant-based meals. He couldn’t believe how great the food tasted and how good he felt, so he naturally wanted to share it with extended family and friends. It was right around this time that they were asked to cater a company event. That evening, their food was a big hit, and the idea for Everest Eats was born.Although their menu is totally plant-based, they continuously receive rave reviews from vegans and meat eaters alike. The homemade ingredients, rich flavors, and hearty nature of the meals have wide appeal and have won over followers of all types of diets. Katy and Jose are inspired by their two children, Everest and Denali, and creating a sustainable business that is environmentally sensitive is an important factor in the choices that they make. Almost two years into operation and Everest Eats is a full-blown family business with Katy’s mom and dad now involved in the creation of the mouth-watering dishes and desserts that come from their commercial kitchen.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH KATY AND JOSE ROSA AT:Website: https://www.everesteats.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everesteatsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverestEatsPlantBased

Find Something That Moves You | Katy and Jose Rosa, Owners of Everest Eats

Ten years ago, Kelly Bender was a single mother looking for a flexible way to continue her career in tax advising. After exploring several options, she decided that entrepreneurship was the right path for her, and she launched Total Business Solutions. Kelly eventually remarried, and her husband joined her in the practice. Over the years, several of their children have also worked in the business in various capacities. Recently, Total Business Solutions expanded with an acquisition of an accounting firm in Butler, PA, which will provide ample growth opportunities for their staff.Kelly is an enrolled agent, which is a designation awarded by the IRS to federally authorized tax practitioners who have met the necessary qualifications. Instead of the traditional model where a tax consultant may only see a client once per year, her firm’s relationship-based approach means that they are advising clients on a more frequent basis. This high-touch, personalized service is one of the things that sets Total Business Solutions apart from the competition. In this episode, Kelly talks about the tough decisions that her clients had to make during the pandemic and why it’s important to keep things simple when starting a business.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH KELLY BENDER AT:Website: http://www.dktbs.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Total-Business-Solutions-216610258422482

Don't Overcomplicate What You're Doing | Kelly Bender, Owner of Total Business Solutions

Sara Makin has always been an entrepreneur at heart. As a kid, she didn’t just run a lemonade stand. She did door-to-door lemonade delivery as a way to boost her sales! Sara was probably on track to go to business school and create the next big startup when she found herself in a battle with depression. Her life-changing experience with therapy and dealing with her own mental illness made her realize that she wanted others to achieve the same breakthroughs. After completing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Duquesne University and obtaining the requisite work experience, Sara became a licensed professional counselor.In 2017, Sara combined her love for business with her mission to provide exceptional mental health care by launching Makin Wellness. Realizing that she could reach and impact more people, she decided to take her therapy platform completely online just as the pandemic was starting in early 2020. Today, Sara operates her practice in a thriving environment as more and more people are becoming comfortable to talk about mental illness and to seek professional help. In this episode, she talks about how she is building culture in an organization with a virtual business model and why it’s important to ensure there is product-market fit before getting started.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH SARA MAKIN AT:Website: https://www.makinwellness.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makinwellnessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/makinwellnessTwitter: https://twitter.com/MakinWellness

Do Your Research Before Starting a Business | Sara Makin, Founder of Makin Wellness

Samantha Post is a second-generation co-owner of T&M Hardware & Rental, which was started by her parents in 1991. The “T&M” stands for Tim and Mary, and they raised their four kids in the family business. After a career of moving around the U.S. with his employer, Tim decided that it was time to move back to the Pittsburgh area and put his skills to work in his own business. They evaluated several opportunities, but ultimately, Tim and Mary decided to turn around a struggling hardware store in Ellwood City. This formula proved to be the right approach, and Tim and his family have successfully opened five more locations using a similar strategy over the past 30 years.After starting her career in public health in the Washington D.C. area, Samantha decided that she wanted more autonomy and fulfillment with her work. In 2013, she decided to move home and rejoin the family business. One of her first major projects was to manage the company’s latest acquisition in the Bellevue community. In this episode, Samantha talks about what it was like to grow up in a family business, how she has dealt with the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry, and why their business continues to grow and thrive in spite of operating in the hypercompetitive world of retail.If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH SAMANTHA POST AT:Website: https://www.tandmhardware.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tandmhardwareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TandMHardware

Novel Experiences Will Help You as an Entrepreneur | Samantha Post, Co-Owner of T&M Hardware & Rental

Gina Vensel is a multifaceted entrepreneur who is involved in several organizations and numerous projects. In 2006, she started Easy Street Promotions, an event planning and marketing company. Her love for music inspired her to create Live Music PGH, an online database of Pittsburgh-area bands and DJs, which makes it easier for us to stay connected to our favorite local artists. Gina has also been involved in marketing and organizing TEDx Pittsburgh over the past six years. Her love for building relationships and creating community is evident in all that she does.Gina’s most recent venture is Plant Media Project, which she co-founded with her business partner, Elizabeth Sheldon, in June 2020. Plant Media Project is a boutique agency specializing in plant medicine marketing, education, and advocacy. Gina has been a long-time supporter of destigmatizing and legalizing cannabis and psychedelics, especially as it pertains to the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and various other mental and physical illnesses. In their pursuit of educating the public and normalizing conversations around plant medicines, Gina and Elizabeth recently launched “The Vine: A Plant Media Project Podcast.”If 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.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilanoPhone: 412-336-8247YOU CAN REACH GINA VENSEL AT:Website: https://easystreetpgh.comWebsite: https://plantmediaproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/easystpghInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantmediaprojectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/easystreetpghFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/plantmediaprojectLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginavensel

Take Time to Recharge | Gina Vensel, Owner of Easy Street PGH and Co-Founder of Plant Media Project

This 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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Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

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