Entrepreneur

Stream on: Apple Spotify The Jitter Bus, New Haven’s First Café on Wheels I sat down with Dan Barletta one of the founders of New Havens first mobile coffee shop to delve into a story of resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of one’s passion. Dan shares his journey from uncertainty and setbacks to finding purpose and success in the world of entrepreneurship. Drawing from his personal experiences, Dan reveals his struggles with traditional education and the uncertainty it brought about his future. Despite feeling disillusioned by his college experience, he found success when him and his friends decided to pursue an idea for a coffee bus. Through this endeavor, he discovered that success is deeply rooted in personal happiness and witnessing the growth of his business, rather than conforming to societal norms about education and career paths. Dan recounts the inception of his coffee bus business, highlighting the pivotal role of his partners and navigating the various challenges encountered during the initial stages. From the setbacks of equipment damage during the winter to the complexities of finding a suitable location for vending, Dan’s journey paints a vivid picture of the resilience and perseverance required in the entrepreneurial world. We discuss his insights into the impact of the 2020 pandemic on food truck vendors in New Haven, an unexpected hurdle that affected Dan’s business. As food trucks were banned from vending, Dan navigated the unpredictable landscape by adapting his business model and opting to pivot to selling bags of coffee beans.  Providing contactless delivery, he displayed remarkable adaptability and determination in ensuring the survival of his venture during a challenging period. The conversation concludes with Dan contemplating the future of his business, expressing a keen interest in expanding into a coffee shop with a physical location and identifying promising locations for this new venture. His aspirations and determination to grow his business reflect the tenacity and passion that have fueled his entrepreneurial journey. Overall, Dan’s narrative is an inspiring testament to the relentless pursuit of one’s passion, the importance of adaptability in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. Listeners are left with a profound understanding of the resilience required to navigate challenges and the immeasurable value of finding purpose and fulfillment in one’s professional endeavors.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “The experience of building something and seeing people enjoy it is what defines success for me. It’s about being happy and seeing the bus grow. College is not the only path to success, and you can still find happiness and fulfillment without a college education.” Dan Barletta Topics in this episode: New Havens first mobile coffee shop From being fired at Starbucks to entrepreneurship  Not feeling like college was the right fit Starting a business with your friends  The challenges of the first year of business  Vending at farmers markets An exploding an expresso machine  Thinking outside the bus to survive the pandemic Plans for a new physical cafe  Bio: Dan Barletta Dan Barletta is a West Haven, Connecticut native who attended Southern Connecticut State University from 2009 to 2019. Although he had reservations about going to college immediately after high school, societal pressure pushed him into pursuing higher education. Unfortunately, college turned out to be a disappointment for Dan, as he struggled with daily anxiety and a general disinterest in the traditional school setting. Despite the challenges, he persevered through nine years of on-and-off attendance, eventually graduating.  It didn’t stop him from starting a business with his friends though.  The Jitter Bus started as an idea and kickstarter.  7 years later the Jitter Bus is still going strong.  Connect with Dan:  The Jitter Bus can be found on corner of Hillhouse Ave. and Grove St. in downtown New Haven M-F Follow The Jitter Bus on IG thejitterbus.com

Stream on: Apple Spotify Navigating the Many Sides of Marketing I sat down with marketing guru Kendall Egan to discuss the intricate blend of data and intuition in making marketing decisions. Kendall’s insights shed light on the significance of leveraging both aspects to design effective marketing campaigns and target the right audience. The discussion delved into Kendall’s approach to targeting specific audience segments based on factors such as household income and neighborhood type. Notably, the use of market research to inform design decisions was highlighted, along with the essential practice of questioning whether the outcomes align with one’s intuition. This holistic perspective underscores the need for collaboration with other companies to create designs that resonate with the identified target market. A core theme of the episode is the iterative process of formulating hypotheses and testing them using available data prior to making major decisions. It was underscored how the ability to swiftly pivot and adapt based on campaign analytics and reactions is crucial, ultimately leading to the advantage of being able to design and advertise products before investing in inventory. Notably, the conversation turned towards the fascinating advancements in AI tools, with Kendall sharing her experience of leveraging AI tools to create art for blogs. While AI tools have proven valuable in generating background information, Kendall expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of AI replacing copywriters or writers in general due to the basic and lacking creativity of AI-generated content.  Examples such as Canva, a platform automating text generation and social media post creation, were cited as testaments to the democratization of graphic design, making it accessible to a wider audience. Emphasizing the importance of content to showcase one’s value proposition and facilitate engagement with the target audience, the episode underscored the necessity of tailoring content to different platforms and maintaining a consistent brand voice. Kendall’s journey from sales at CBS to freelancing, completing an MBA, and working in various startups illuminates the dynamic nature of career progression in the marketing landscape. The integral role of customer acquisition, marketing, and partnership development in their current project solidifies their position as a seasoned marketing professional. The episode underscored the essential foundations of customer acquisition and brand marketing, emphasizing the crucial role played by digital marketing techniques in today’s landscape. Notably, the significance of continuous testing, iterating, and analyzing results in developing effective messaging and effectively targeting the right audience was reinforced, along with the importance of understanding the customer and their persona for tailored messaging.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “I believe that the key to being found and engaging with your target audience is using content to showcase your value proposition.” Kendall Egan Topics in this episode: Importance of developing brand identity for small businesses Identifying target audience, voice, and points of differentiation Understanding customer persona for effective messaging and customer acquisition Data and analytics in marketing decision-making Customer acquisition and brand building in marketing Digital marketing strategies and platforms Utilizing degenerative AI tools for content creation Importance of data and intuition in decision-making Formulating hypotheses and testing them with data Bio: Kendall Egan Kendall Egan is a seasoned marketing professional with a diverse background in sales, marketing, and startup ventures. Stemming from a career that includes roles in corporate America, freelance work, and ownership of a startup. Kendall brings a wealth of experience in customer acquisition strategy, brand building, and digital marketing. With a deep understanding of harnessing the power of social media platforms and the intricacies of small business marketing, Kendall’s expertise lies in developing strong messaging, creating engaging marketing materials, and utilizing data and analytics to drive effective marketing campaigns.  Connect with Kendall:  Boxx website Follow Kendall on LinkedIn Follow Boxx on IG

Stream on: Apple Spotify How to Balance Multiple Businesses Michael Shawn Carabaugh is a man of many pursuits.  In this episode of Working Towards Our Purpose, he shared his experiences in running a game cafe, being a pastor at a church, giving guitar lessons, and developing a multi-use studio, providing valuable insights into balancing a myriad of responsibilities. Carabaugh’s approach to managing his extensive workload involves prioritizing his various businesses and roles based on dedicated days for each, with structured breaks to maintain a balanced lifestyle. He emphasizes the importance of being honest about one’s priorities and life stage, advocating the use of to-do lists and focusing on the most crucial task each day to maximize productivity. One notable discussion point was the concept of the “flow state” and the importance of avoiding digital distractions. Michael emphasized the detrimental impact of constant notifications and email banners on productivity. Carabaugh shared his aversion to phone technology and his practice of tuning out distractions, cultivated from growing up in a loud, close-knit family. These insights shed light on the significance of creating a focused work environment to achieve peak performance. In addition to managing multiple roles, Carabaugh discussed his plans for Unison Studios, a multi-use studio space designed to address pain points for freelance musicians. This venture aims to provide rentable rooms for music teachers to conduct lessons and facilitate creativity and collaboration, offering a solution to the challenges faced by music educators. Furthermore, the episode delved into Carabaugh’s journey of starting Unison Games Cafe, a venture borne out of his passion for comics and trading card games. His pivot into the gaming industry, sparked by a desire to bring the community together through organized play and game tournaments, illustrates the dynamic nature of pursuing purpose-driven ventures. Michael not only highlighted the complexity of managing multiple roles but also underscored the transformative power of pursuing projects with a meaningful impact. Carabaugh’s dedication to making a difference in the community through his businesses and educational endeavors is a testament to the theme of purpose and impact, which is at the core of this podcast. Overall, our conversation conveyed a profound message about the importance of finding one’s rhythm for productivity, effectively managing digital distractions, and pursuing ventures that align with one’s purpose and values. Listeners were inspired by Carabaugh’s journey and gain valuable insights into time management, the cultivation of a focused work environment, and the multifaceted nature of purpose-driven endeavors.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “Time management is not about fitting into someone else’s box, but finding your own rhythm and productivity.” Michael Shawn Carbaugh Topics in this episode: Finding one’s rhythm for productivity Working on tasks in decreasing increments of time and taking breaks Addressing pain points for freelance musicians Unison Studios and Multi-Use Studio Space Integrating Music Degree with Church Work Starting Unison Games Cafe with a Business Partner Importance of purpose, community, and making an impact Lowering the barrier to entry for individuals wanting to start a podcast Challenges and benefits of having a business partner Bio: Michael Shawn Carbough Michael Shawn Carabaugh attended Cedarville University in Ohio, where he studied music with a minor in bible at the liberal arts school. Despite encouragement to pursue a worship major, he remained determined to focus on classical music, feeling it was important to his future as a pastor and music writer.  He is not only a pastor at Pond Hill Church, but also leads the music there.  He also opened a gaming cafe with a partner Unison Games Cafe in Hamden, CT.  His next project, a multi-use studio, where he will offer music lessons, a podcast studio and a music studio. Connect with Michael Shawn:  Unison Games Café Unison Studios Unison Church Pond Hill Church

Stream on: Apple Spotify Life of a Startup In a world constantly evolving, embarking on a new journey and founding a startup can be an uncertain but exciting path. In my latest episode of Working Towards Our Purpose, I sat down with entrepreneur and co-founder of Boxx, Trevor Huffard.  Trevor’s path began with a career that traversed diverse landscapes, from finance and investment banking, to the cutting edge of the voice over IP industry, and eventually to the world of construction and entrepreneurship. His journey stands testament to the inevitability of change and the importance of adapting to new opportunities. Boxx, an innovative startup, born during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, offers a unique solution to the remote work revolution. Specializing in prefabricated work-from-home pods constructed using advanced structural insulated panels (SIPs), Boxx provides an energy-efficient, cost-effective, and versatile workspace that caters to the evolving needs of the modern professional. What sets Boxx apart is its commitment to creating a workspace that transcends the confines of traditional office setups, offering a flexible environment that fosters productivity, wellness, and professionalism. Our conversation delves into Trevor’s unwavering dedication to forging a path that embodies the very essence of working towards a purpose. From navigating the challenges of startup life to the emotional rewards of creating something truly impactful, Trevor’s journey serves as an inspirational narrative for aspiring entrepreneurs and visionaries. One of the pivotal moments in our conversation shines a light on the value of collaboration, passion, and commitment to the shared purpose of empowering people to thrive in their workspaces. Trevor’s emphasis on the significance of building a stable organization that generates value for multiple stakeholders unveils the essence of a startup. Moreover, the episode delves into the importance of fostering an inclusive and empowering work culture, the art of motivating and managing employees, and the bold pursuit of creating a supportive environment where individuals can flourish. As Trevor shares his experiences, listeners gain valuable insights into the dynamics of building and nurturing a vibrant professional community. In a world brimming with change and innovation, Trevor Huffard’s journey with Boxx exemplifies the resounding commitment to purpose, resilience in the face of challenges, and the unwavering pursuit of meaningful impact.   To listen to the full episode and discover more stories of purpose and fulfillment, you can subscribe to “Working Towards Our Purpose” on your favorite podcast platform. “I decided I wanted to kinda look at what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I wanted to do something that I really enjoyed getting up every morning and doing.” Trevor Huffard Topics in this episode: Involvement in the voice over IP industry Challenges faced during the 2008-2009 housing crisis Trevor’s involvement in multiple startups, both successful and unsuccessful Use of structural insulated panels (SIPs) for energy efficiency Target market and potential applications for the work-from-home pods Importance of finding reliable partners and collaborators Impact of working from home on local communities Strategies for finding community at home Motivating and managing employees in a startup environment Risks involved in starting a business and leaving stable corporate jobs Challenges of marketing a new business and finding customers for the product Bio: Trevor Huffard Trevor Huffard is the founder of Boxx, an early stage startup company that was born out of the need for a separate, convenient workspace during the pandemic. Trevor has worked in various startups over the course of his career and now has founded his own.  With many people working from home during the Covid pandemic, Trevor saw the need for a space that was away from the house but didn’t require a long commute.  Trevor’s day job involves selling structural insulated panels (SIPs), which are energy efficient building materials for new homes and buildings.  With a passion for creating functional and efficient spaces, Trevor is dedicated to changing the way people live and work. Connect with Trevor: Visit Boxx Website  Follow Boxx on IG