Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

Home
United States
Pittsburgh, PA
Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

Find out what Pittsburgh small business owners and entrepreneurs are up to in this podcast from Darin Vilano.

Listen, get inspired, and then connect, because this is a podcast that allows you to actually engage with the people that you hear on the show!

04/08/2024

SEASON 12 // EPISODE 2 - Jeff Krakoff, owner of Krakoff Communications, Inc.

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000651816094

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sockNshmpwrGUK1qcLpX0?si=qwek1C_4SGuHsuAM5VhSGg

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/bet-on-yourself-jeff-krakoff-owner-of-krakoff-communications

- - -
In 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 with new goals and ambitions in mind. He has grown his firm over the years, and he is currently joined by his son, Josh Krakoff, who came on board after graduating from college. At the end of our conversation, Jeff leaves us with some practical and motivating advice. Enjoy this episode!

03/17/2024

SEASON 12 - EPISODE 1: Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000649385377

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MLLKShD3HJfyw8QmcM8IR?si=Gj75jpGJSFOhWRyBUzAPSw

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/surround-yourself-with-good-people-toni-shelaske-owner-of-healthy-pet-products

- - -
Toni 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 the fun she is having with her own podcast called Toni Unleashed.

03/16/2024

Saint Patty’s Day hockey game with my little buddy! ☘️🐧

03/15/2024

Season 12 is here! Get ready for some inspiring stories and engaging conversations with Pittsburgh’s small business community. I have a great lineup of “in studio” interviews coming your way:

- Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products
- Jeff Krakoff, owner of Krakoff Communications, Inc.
- 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 Biographies

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000649329083

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qiYhnOVKkEPlaEHNQKa2A?si=Bdf9lhwrSAu5rydEhWD33A

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/introducing-season-12-proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast

03/01/2024

SEASON 11 // EPISODE 7: Destin LeCornu, owner of Sunset Place Recording Studio

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000647573237

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6AXZMeHuM2Lk8IE7Gz3ts5?si=kXbmxA_kQ_K5yYlBdpQCgw

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/get-good-first-destin-lecornu-owner-of-sunset-place-studio

- - -
Getting to tour Destin’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 father, a Nashville singer-songwriter, influenced him from a young age. Destin has managed to create a full-time career in the music industry, which is no small feat in a city the size of Pittsburgh.

Come with me as we check out Sunset Place Studio and learn more about what it’s like to work in this creative and exciting industry.

02/21/2024

SEASON 11 // EPISODE 6: Claire Landuyt, owner of Chez Lapin

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000646045724

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2otq5Z0Q2pAFcsvul45ZVh?si=RYjTEUffR3-A26TGQwNkJA

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/keep-nurturing-your-idea-claire-landuyt-owner-of-chez-lapin

- - -
It was a real pleasure to get a personal tour of Claire’s production studio for Chez Lapin. A space like this is generally not open to the public, so I am happy to be able to share this experience with all of you for this episode.

During 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” is French for rabbit house, and the choice of name was inspired by Claire’s love for rabbits and French culture. I even got to meet her newly adopted companion and shop mascot, Tipsy, a cute little lionhead rabbit. Enjoy this episode!

02/17/2024

SEASON 11 - EPISODE 5: Chi Ilochi, owner of Styling By Chi

LISTEN ANYWHERE you get your favorite podcasts, including the following:

APPLE PODCASTS:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/proprietors-of-pittsburgh-podcast/id1484811151?i=1000626410269

SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5D8UGkHA3raSvWYxqhAMqZ?si=ExJHAwZDTRSClpnQyXWYPQ

OUR WEBSITE:
https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/episodes/adopt-an-abundance-mindset-chi-ilochi-owner-of-styling-by-chi

- - -
Chi 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 her line of work.

In our conversation, Chi talks about the development of her confidence, which has given her the courage to be herself. This has also allowed her to get the best out of her clients by advising them on the importance of authenticity.

Address

Pittsburgh, PA

Telephone

+14123368247

Website

https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast: