Yummyholic is a custom cookie & cupcake bakery with distinct, made-to-order designs.
Jasmine Cho, the founder, came on Going Deep to discuss her business and how baking can be more creative and therapeutic. She’s learned a lot through launching Yummyholic and you can learn from someone who’s been in the trenches.
Jasmine is currently working to pioneer research-based bake therapy by exploring baking as a form of art therapy.
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Jasmine’s Challenge; Find the thing you are both good at and enjoy doing.
Connect with Jasmine
If you liked this interview, check out episode 67 with Kit Mueller where we discuss Unstuck, supporting entrepreneurial communities, and his career.
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For the last few decades, “Human Resources” was responsible for getting the most out of workers. This meant optimizing for health plans, salaries, and interpersonal conflict.
Claude Silver believes there’s another way.
She leads with her heart and emotional optimism. She owns the onboarding, recruitment, retention, and graduation of all the people that come through VaynerMedia. She calls upon 20 years of guiding client relationships, global brand strategies, operations, and management at numerous Fortune 50 companies to lead and inspire.
In this conversation, Aaron and Claude discuss the day-to-day of her job, the design of her office, and how Vayner onboards new hires.
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Claude’s Challenge; Affirm someone verbally. Give them the gift of your attention.
Connect with Claude
If you liked this interview, check out episode 235 with Kim Scott where we discuss Radical Candor, effective leadership, and stories from Apple & Google.
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IAM Robotics named a new CEO in August 2018 and closed a $20M Series A that November. How have they managed so much upheaval? I decided to find out directly from Joel Reed
Joel is the CEO of IAM Robotics and calls upon 20 years of experience in strategic planning and business development to lead the company’s commercialization of its innovative products.
We discuss the fundraising process, how Joel came to join IAM Robotics, and how he recruits technical talent.
Joel previously worked to introduce the first commercially available autonomous mobile robots as a new class of manufacturing and warehouse AGVs to 3PL providers, integrators and clients such as GENCO, Supply Chain Management (Walmart Canada), Freightliner Trucks | Daimler and BMW Manufacturing. Joel started his career as a process and technology consultant at Ernst & Young (now Cap Gemini) and also led the commercialization of a 3D software tools company, which was acquired by Autodesk.
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Joel’s Challenge; At work, have a running or walking meeting.
Connect with Joel
Connect with IAM Robotics
If you liked this interview, check out episode 367 with Aaron Morris where we discuss computer vision, geospatial data, and how a technologist can learn enterprise sales.
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You can get your tickets to Going Deep Summit 3.0 here;
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/going-deep-summit-30-tickets-60834779463
Joe Vennare was the 2nd keynote at the 2019 Going Deep Summit. He shared his story of transitioning from history teacher to serial entrepreneur.
It's advice anyone can use. I'm so glad he shared his message at the Summit.
We could not have put it on without two of our sponsors.
Covalent
https://www.wearecovalent.com/
TreeCup
Allen Gannett, the author of The Creative Curve, spoke at the 2019 Going Deep Summit about how to make moments of "creative genius" less random and more intentional. Most people want to know how to be more creative. Allen explains that thoughtful consumption is a key unlock for aspiring creatives.
Allen is the founder of TrackMaven and a bestselling author.
Here are videos from the Going Deep Summit on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8REcAy3zwEArtRTmEufaQHo4UQ1bjdrZ
Cooper Munroe, CEO of The Motherhood, was interviewed by Aaron Watson about the origins of influencer marketing, what the early days of blogging looked like, and how to communicate authentically with your stakeholders.
Cooper is an award-winning influencer marketing expert and her firm works with the largest consumer brands, nonprofits, and agencies in the world.
She is a specialist in maximizing the effectiveness of campaigns, the reach of content, and measuring the results. She got her start when she began blogging in the early 2000s and saw the power of new media to create change and nurture movements.
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Cooper’s Challenge; Go and visit a new neighborhood in your city.
Mentioned
Connect with Cooper
cooper@motherhood.com
Connect with The Motherhood
If you liked this interview, check out episode 349 with Bri Conley where we discuss selling clothing on Instagram, building a boutique, and staying on trend.
You can also check out episode 361 with Jason Wolfe where we discuss teaching himself to code, founding multiple successful startups, and treating your employees well.
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Being a refugee in a new country can be scary, confusing, and lonely. While there are agencies in the US that help refugees with resettlement during the first 3 months, resource constraints leave them unable to assist past that point.
Sloane Davidson created Hello Neighbor to help connect refugees with friends and mentors in their community who can be a sustainable support system.
The families Hello Neighbor supports all have kids under 18 in the home. Mentors range from young professionals to families and seniors, making Hello Neighbor a family-focused volunteer opportunity.
In this interview, Aaron and Sloane discuss common things refugees need help with, how her organization has grown so quickly, and why she was inspired to start this organization.
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Sloane’s Challenge; Find one way to feel uncomfortable.
Connect with Sloane
Connect with Hello Neighbor
If you liked this interview, check out episode 317 with Tammy Thompson where we discuss poverty, homelessness, and the importance of social cohesion.
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Dr. Christopher Howard is the eighth president of Robert Morris University. A university with more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs , more than 5,000 students, and a 100 year history.
In this conversation, Chris and Aaron discuss the future of college, timeless leadership lessons, and Dr. Howard’s background.
Dr. Howard is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a Rhodes Scholar, and a graduate of both the University of Oxford & the Harvard Business School.
He also offers an excellent challenge at the end of the conversation.
Resources Mentioned
What Happens Now? by John Hillen
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Chris’s Challenge; Don’t become Glib.
Connect with Chris
If you liked this interview, check out episode 361 with Jason Wolfe where we discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, and how to build a great team.
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What does it take to become the top referred real estate agent on Zillow? A lot of reviews and hustle.
Brian Teyssier shared his perspective on the industry during a riveting 30-minute conversation at his home in Mount Washington. Brian has worked with some of the top real estate coaches in the business and has some seriously impressive stats.
He's surpassed $19 million in volume in both 2017 & 2018. He's accrued 333 reviews on Zillow.
As Brian battles to the top of the luxury home market, he runs a lean and digital practice. You’ll be blown away at his story of selling a house for more than $500,000 without ever meeting the owner in person.
In this conversation, Aaron and Brian also discuss how he got started flipping houses, how he goes above and beyond with his open houses, and where the industry is headed.
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Brian’s Challenge; Push yourself out of your comfort zone.
Connect with Brian
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Piper Creative Director of Operations Tori Meglio joins me on the podcast to discuss how Linkedin has transformed our business in the last year.
Here's our new podcast.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-piper-podcast/id1454137800?mt=2
Restaurants are a brutal business. It’s worth studying those that succeed.
Nick Bogacz is the Founder of Caliente Pizza & Draft House. He opened his first location in fall of 2012 and has grown quickly to open four more locations.
Prior to that, he spent over a decade in the industry, starting as a delivery driver in 1996. He went on to lead sales at multiple corporate pizza chains and learn the pizza business inside and out.
His company now employs more than 185 people and has been recognized at the World Championships at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo.
In this conversation, Aaron and Nick discuss how Nick earned his education in the pizza business, why Caliente also serves numerous craft beers, and the critical importance of experience.
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Nick’s Challenge; Make a pizza in your home.
Connect with Nick
pizzadrafthouse@gmail.com
If you liked this interview, check out episode 365 with Jordan Robarge where we discuss buying a diner, employing marginalized communities, and starting a food truck.
Books Mentioned
Guerilla Marketing by Jay Levinson
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
The Pizza Bible by Tony Gemignani
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Teresa Huber is the CEO of Intervala, a full-service manufacturer that produces customized electronic and electromechanical solutions for the industrial, medical, and transportation sectors.
She has led Intervala since it’s inception in January 2016 and is responsible for leading the company’s strategic direction and long-term growth. Teresa was named 2018 CEO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council.
Teresa previously served as chief executive officer for TMG Electronics and chief operating officer of Pinnacle Electronics.
In this conversation, Aaron and Teresa discuss how to establish a healthy company culture, where Teresa went to raise funding for Intervala, and why thinking long-term is a strategic advantage.
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Teresa’s Challenge; Don’t accept the status quo.
Connect with Teresa
If you liked this interview, check out episode 131 with Larry Gioia where we discuss how to end transactional networking and start connecting.
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Nick Merich has been an entrepreneur for a while. As a kid, he’s ring doorbells and ask to mow lawns for money.
Today, he DMs the world’s biggest music artist to educate them about his service, Songlink.
Songlink empowers musicians to share their music more efficiently with platform-agnostic links.
In this discussion, Aaron and Nick talk about the disintermediation of the music industry, how Nick DMs dozens of artists every day, and why they’ve stayed bootstrapped.
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Nick’s Challenge; Meditate Everyday.
Connect with Nick
Song Link
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Courtney Ehrlichman is an expert in mobility and specializes in advising economic development organizations, startup founders, venture capitalists, and government agencies. Her job requires fluency in new modalities of mobility, connected/autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, and smart city applications.
Her background is extensive.
She designed and implemented Carnegie Mellon University’s Smart Mobility Challenge in Southwestern PA, matching identified mobility needs of local municipalities with researchers and technologists.
We talk about the wide range of considerations leaders and innovators need to take to steward a better future for all.
Courtney’s Challenge; Think about how much real estate is occupied by concrete & asphalt and how to re-use it.
Connect with Courtney
Book
Autonomy by Lawrence D Burns
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York by Robert A. Caro
We’ve interviewed a number of the most influential transportations entrepreneurs and innovators
Bryan Salesky - Argo Ai
Mark DeSantis - RoadBotics
Griffin Schultz - Rapid Flow Technologies
Ryan Green - Gridwise
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Aaron Morris is a roboticist and computer vision expert working on his third startup.
After earning a PHD from Carnegie Mellon University, Aaron has spent his career in the world of autonomous robots, mapping, perception, computer vision, planning systems and machine learning. His career has placed him in companies at varying sizes and stages where he has launched products, raised venture investment, and built products.
His second startup, AllPoint Systems was acquired by Autodesk, which led to Aaron leading the Autodesk Reality Solutions product division.
Now, his company, Allvision, is arming companies and institutions with insights and intelligence through detailed 3D digital representations of the physical world.
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Aaron’s Challenge; Take a different mode of transit on a familiar route. Recognize how difference these experiences can be.
Connect with Aaron
If you liked this interview, check out three previous interviews we’ve done in the mobility & transportation space with Roadbotics founder Mark Desantis, Rapid Flow Technologies CEO Griffin Schultz, and LaneSpotter founder Lynsie Campbell.
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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.
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David’s Challenge; Recognize that there will always be disruption. Focus on your ability to deliver in spite of that disruption.
Connect with David
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.
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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
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.
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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.
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Tracy’s Challenge; Diversify where you get your information.
Connect with Tracy
If you liked this interview, check out our enormous catalog of interviews with Pittsburgh’s biggest influencers, top entrepreneurs, and largest power brokers.
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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.
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Rachel’s Challenge; Start your day with consuming good information.
Resources
Connect with Rachel
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.
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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.
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Jason’s Challenge; Give more. Be Kind. Pull someone else up.
Connect with Jason
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).
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Connect with Jason
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.
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Anthony’s Challenge; Broaden your perspective on hiring tech talent. You don’t need a degree to be a valuable contributor.
Connect with Anthony
If you liked this interview, check out episode 314 with John Dick, 265 with Kelauni Cook, and other interviews with Pittsburgh power brokers.
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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.
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Rob’s Challenge; Try watching an esports event.
Connect with Rob
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.
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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.
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Jamilka’s Challenge; Help fight hunger with a local charity.
Connect with Jamilka
If you liked this interview, check out our episodes with star chef Kevin Sousa and Big Burrito Group executive chef Bill Fuller.
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