Going Deep With Aaron Watson

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.

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 strate

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

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

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 analys

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 hunge

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. Documen

Toni Murphy is a VP at Comcast Business and can teach you a lot about leadership.   At Comcast, Toni leads a team of more than 150 across four states. She is a force in shaping cultural transformation at the company by leading the creation of the Keystone Region’s Diversity & Inclusion Council. She also acts as executive champion for its Black Employee Network.   Prior to Comcast, Toni worked in Investment Banking at UBS and the Gores Group.   Aaron and Toni discuss how she mentors hundreds of people, the impact her mom has had on her work ethic, and how to win inside a corporation.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Toni’s Challenge; Go find one person and say, “I know I don’t know as much as I should know about you, tell me more.”   Connect with Toni Linkedin Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 263 with Audrey Russo where we discuss the nation’s oldest tech trade association, how careers evolve, and the Pittsburgh tech scene. Underwritten by

Kevin Sousa is the chef and owner of Superior Motors, an American restaurant that opened in July 2017 in Pittsburgh. It was named one of the World’s 100 Greatest Places by Time Magazine, a Top 10 best restaurant in the country by Food and Wine Magazine, and the best new restaurant of 2018 by Pittsburgh Magazine   The restaurant was partially funded through Kickstarter, setting a record for a restaurant by raising $310,225 to break ground   Kevin was previously the chef/owner of Salt of the Earth, Union Pig & Chicken and Station Street Food.   In this conversation, Aaron and Kevin discuss how his current successes have been informed by his failures, how Kevin’s work is tied to his interest in social progress, and the best ways to foster a team environment that supports everyone.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Kevin’s Challenge; Don’t judge people.   Connect with Kevin Twitter Instagram Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 146 with Bill Fuller

I solicited my friends for advice and wisdom they wish they had when they were 27.

Priya Amin is the cofounder of Flexable, a company that specializes in providing pop up childcare at professional & personal events, offices, and retail stores.   Priya discovered this need when she became a mother and realized she was missing out on networking opportunities and events because of her need for childcare. Together with previous guest Jessica Strong, she founded Flexable to solve the problem and create a more inclusive business community.   She holds an MBA from the University of Arizona, and previously worked as a product and brand manager at IBM and Nestle.   In this conversation, Aaron & Priya discuss how to hone your presentation skills, the founding story of the company, and how to create a more inclusive community.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Priya’s Challenge; Find cool & innovative ways to be inclusive   Connect with Priya LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out;   Episode 75 with Jes

Kate Zarvis has been in the beauty industry since she was 15 and got a job washing hair. Now, she owns her own nail salon that is growing rapidly.   Hannah and I cam by her salon to learn about how she’s doing it.   Perhaps the most interesting idea we touched on was the difficulty technology will have in disrupting her industry.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Kate’s Challenge; Stop comparing yourself to other people on social media.   Connect with Kate Facebook Instagram Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 349 with Bri Conley where we discuss how she’s built a specialty boutique off of Instagram and Snapchat. 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

Piper Creative CEO Aaron Watson was invited to speak to the Professional Sales Class at Duquesne University. Aaron made a point of driving home that every college student should establish a presence on LinkedIn and use it to find their next job.   2018 is the year of LinkedIn. It will likely never be as good again.

Dave Mastovich is the founder and CEO of Massolutions.   In this conversation talks about how he transitioned out of the corporate world into owning his own business and how he developed entrepreneurial tendencies while working in other businesses.   Dave has been on the cutting edge of utilizing the gig economy to build his business and has inspired his team to be creative, loyal, and scrappy through trust and freedom.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Dave’s Challenge; Get comfortable in uncomfortable positions. The next time you catch yourself make excuses, take stock and redirect yourself.   Connect with Dave LinkedIn Website dave@masssolutions.biz   If you liked this interview, check out episode 269 with Brent Beshore where we discuss different styles of investing, the proper motivations for your work, and . Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a

Bri Conley is the founder of No. 14 Boutique in Lawrenceville, one of the few shops bucking the trend of “The Death of Retail”.   How?   By establishing great relationships with clients, staying on top of fashion trends to offer a distinct selection, and masterfully utilizing Snapchat and Instagram to create demand.   In this conversation, Brianne explains how she used Snapchat & Instagram stories to drive demand, what she felt like the market was missing when she opened her store, and how she’s blending ecommerce with in-store experience.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Bri’s Challenge; Show up in person to get what you want.   Connect with Bri Bri’s Instagram No. 14’s Instagram Facebook Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 295 with Nisha Blackwell where we discuss her handmade bowties business and episode 305 with Wendy Downs where we explore the blending of ecommerce and physical retail. Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency th

Amir Banifatemi is the General Manager for Innovation and Growth at XPrize and is an Executive Advisor for the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE & the ANA Avatar XPRIZE.   Prior to joining XPRIZE, Mr. Banifatemi began his career at the European Space Agency and then held executive positions at Airbus, AP-HP and the European Commission division for information society and media.   He’s previously managed two venture capital funds and contributed to the formation of more than 10 startups with emphasis on Information Technologies, Telecommunications, IoT, and Healthcare.   We talk about how the XPrize stimulates innovation, what the Avatar XPrize is pursuing, and how the teams in the competition are formed. Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Amir’s Challenge; Think about how our human evolution will look over the next two decades. Discuss this with others so we can call have a better future.   Connect with Amir Instagram Twitter Linkedin Avatar.xprize.org avatar@xprize.org   If you

Michael Hruska is a technologist with experiences spanning across standards, emerging technologies, learning, and science. He is a former researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and now provides technology, business model and innovation solutions to Fortune 500, government and startups.   His team has built award winning products and delivered solutions that support millions of users.     Michael is an advisor/mentor to ed tech startups for GSV Capital.  Michael hosts a monthly entrepreneur meetup and other events to support local and regional entrepreneurship. He serves as a mentor and guide for a number of startups.  He also serves as an advisor the Robert Waters Trust Fund at the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies to support entrepreneurship and early stage companies.   This conversation runs the gamut from small town business to organizing a band to eating with Frank Zappa.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Mike’s Challenge; Go do somet

Sandra Mau is the founder & CEO of TrademarkVision, a startup doing visual brand protection. She and her team of machine learning engineers are developing a top visual search engine for trademarks and logos.   In this conversation, we talk about why she has another office in Australia, how the algorithm simplifies work for IP lawyers, and shares stories of scrappy startups at events.   Prior to starting TrademarkVision, Sandra was a Senior Computer Vision Research Engineer at NICTA doing R&D in computer vision, machine learning, and mobile projects.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Sandra’s Challenge; Think about where you want to be in 5 years and then break it down into actionable steps you can take to accomplish it.   Connect with Sandra LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Trademark.Vision Designs.Vision   If you liked this interview, check out episode 334 with Alison Alvarez where we discuss geospatial data, finding a cofounder, and being a modern polymath. Unde