Yinz Biz

John Pattersons and his two brothers Will and Joe opened a bar and restaurant  in the strip district called the BeerHive in 2011. When conventional pickles were not meeting their needs the brothers decided to start making their own. Before you know it, they struck a deal with Giant Eagle, the face of Pittsburgh grocery stores, and Pittsburgh Pickle Co was born. Stay tuned  as we take a deep dive into how the Pittsburgh Pickle Co came to be, what they are up to today, and where they are headed. 

Casey Kilroy’s path to becoming a business owner is a fascinating one. She studied political science and musical theater at Mercyhurst in Erie. Casey went on to have a successful career performing in a variety of settings and also worked on political campaigns in between performing roles. She performed in musicals, on river boats, at Kennywood in the entertainment department, Care Bears Live, Sesame Street Live, and on cruises. Stay tuned to learn how Casey ended up launching a Pittsburgh-based soap company. Pittsburgh Worsh company’s product line includes cold processed soaps, lip balm, bath bombs, shower steamers and more. 

Kristen Wynn is a local photographer who specializes in wedding photography. She attended Penn State University for Undergrad and went on to receive her teaching certificate from Robert Morris. In this episode you will hear why Kristen decided to forego her aspirations of becoming a teacher to become a full-time wedding photographer. We will also discuss the challenges and joys of wedding photography, Kristen’s collection of crazy wedding stories, and how Pittsburgh’s weather affects her business. 

A Beaver County native, Erica earned her degree in Communications from Geneva College in 2006 and shortly thereafter fell in love with being engaged in the community. The majority of her career has been helping to define and grow non-profit organizations. As the President of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, she thrived on a balance of creativity and structure while managing and implementing various projects. Erica describes herself as a "Connector of Dots." Seeing the need for these abilities in the business community, Erica launched Nala Marketing in 2017 which aims to help organizations with "Connecting the Dots" through the development and management of marketing and social media needs. Erica is married and resides in the Pittsburgh suburbs with her husband.

Dayton Cummings has been training dogs for over 20 years. He joined the military in Highschool and served our country by dismantling landmines. After that, Dayton worked in various bars and restaurants to make money while continuing to learn more about dog training. He went on to become certified in Dog Training at Triple Crown Dog Academy in Texas.  At first glance there doesn’t appear to be a connection between military service, working in bars, and training dogs. But if you dig deeper you notice there is a common thread. Whether he is dismantling a landmine, calming down a rowdy bar customer, or teaching a dog to be obedient, Dayton is skilled at bringing some order to a chaotic situation. So keep calm and train on.  Topics Discussed Include: Dayton's journey to owning a dog training business How Dayton is different from other dog trainers What to look for when you are thinking of purchasing a dog Why is President Biden's dog biting people from a non-political perspective

Justin and Brittany have always thrived off of the energy of community events. At the University of Pittsburgh, Justin and Brittany could be found at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoons. Justin played defensive end for the football team, while Brittany cheered him on as a member of the cheerleading squad.  After working in NYC for some time, the couple moved back to Pittsburgh to settle down. Last May, Justin was laid off from his job due to covid. He said that this time gave him the opportunity to evaluate what kind of life he wanted for himself and his family.  Justin and Brittany recently launched Just In Time Event Rentals as a way to create a positive impact in the Pittsburgh community. They offer a large inventory of high peak tents, tables, chairs, and more.

Adam Cannon’s journey to becoming a realtor took many twists and turns. At 18, he was unexpectedly promoted to a retail manager position. He went on to own Happy Baby Company with his wife a business that he ultimately sold. He tried his hand in the corporate world but quickly learned it wasn’t for him. Adam was a partner at Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop for over 5 years. He says that all of these steps along the way allowed him to gain the skills and experience necessary to excel in real estate. In 2020 he won the Community Choice Award for the best realtor. One thing that sets Adam apart is the mindset he brings to his job. He doesn’t view himself as a salesman, but rather a guide that helps people navigate the challenging real estate landscape. Other topics discussed:- The process of buying a home - Why is the real estate market so hot right now? - Why Adam does not watch Househunters on HGTV

In this episode, you will hear Megan's journey to becoming the Operations Director at FASTER Fitness and Sports Training in Robinson Township and Monaca.  FASTER won Pittsburgh Magazine's Best Gym Award in 2020 and serves clients ranging from pro athletes to beginners. Episode Outline:- Megan's passion for fitness growing up - How an injury led her to FASTER - The Mission of FASTER and what makes it different from other gyms  - Why muscle makes you look smaller than fat - The importance of community and accountability in fitness - How diet affects your fitness results - The average day of an Operations Director 

Albert is the owner of Music Garden Studios in New Brighton. In part two,  Albert discusses the process of recording an album from start to finish, his involvement in an Americana band, and the pros and cons of streaming services like Spotify for the music industry. 

Albert is the owner of Music Garden Studios in New Brighton. In part one, Al takes us through how he got started in music, his decision to study music production at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and the process of moving back to western PA (which led to the opportunity to own his very own recording studio.) 

Emmanuel Panagiotakis was not born in Western PA or the USA, but he is an American in the truest sense of the word.  In this episode, Emmanuel takes us on his journey from Greece to the US, and how he went from painting houses to capturing beautiful landscapes that he now sells in his gallery in Beaver. Topics discussed include: - His journey from Greece to America - How photography helped him to learn to read and write in English - A typical day in the life of a professional photographer - What is the golden hour in photography? - What are the differences between the camera on your phone and a DSLR/Mirrorless?- What are ISO/Shutter Speed/Aperture and how are they used in photography - Emmanuel's philosophy on photography 

In this episode, you will hear how Jessica Shoemaker filled a bagel-shaped hole in Beaver County when she opened Beaver Bagel Company. Her boiled and baked bagels get rave reviews. Her shop is quaint and the unique configuration of the building creates a unique outdoor dining experience. But what makes Beaver Bagel successful is the tight-knit and friendly team she has surrounded herself with. Topics discussed include: - How Jessica left her desk job to pursue a career in culinary arts  - How Jessica turned her hobby of making bagels into a business - Why she chose a location that is a little off the beaten path - How her bagels are made - What her team means to her and the business - Advice for aspiring business owners 

Food delivery apps have grown immensely during the pandemic. Many people feel like ordering takeout through the apps is a great way to support struggling restaurants. But what if I told you there is a downside to these apps for the restaurants? Tune in to find out why! 

Dan Harper and his Dad Jim run Harper's Styling Barber Shop in Monaca, PA. In this episode Dan and I discuss: How Dan went from art student to industrial designer to barberThe process of becoming a certified barber What inspired Dan's colorful and creative design of his barber shop What fulfills Dan most about being a barber The relationships he forms with clients How has Covid impacted his business, and what safety measures he is taking to keep people safe. 

Hear what inspired Beth Warren to open a coffee house in a 1905 home across the street from her alma mater.  In this episode we also discuss: The challenges of converting an old home into a coffee shop What makes a coffee shop atmosphere a great place to gather What does Beth look for in potential employees? How do they contribute to the atmosphere of the coffee shop?  The best sellers at BFCAT  How Beth partners with global coffee farmers to ensure they get paid a just wage  How Covid-19 has impacted BFCAT and the role of delivery.  Should you quit your job and open a coffee shop?