Proprietors of Pittsburgh Podcast

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! If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com [https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano] Phone: 412-336-8247 YOU CAN REACH JEFF KRAKOFF AT: Website: https://krakoffcomm.com [https://krakoffcomm.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krakoff_communications [https://www.instagram.com/krakoff_communications] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krakoffcomm [https://www.facebook.com/krakoffcomm] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/krakoff-communications [https://www.linkedin.com/company/krakoff-communications]

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. If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com [https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano] Phone: 412-336-8247 YOU CAN REACH TONI SHELASKE AT: Website: https://healthypetproducts.net [https://healthypetproducts.net/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthypetproducts [https://www.instagram.com/healthypetproducts] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyPetProducts [https://www.facebook.com/HealthyPetProducts] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthypetproducts222 [https://www.youtube.com/@healthypetproducts222]

The theme for this season is “in studio” as I’m back in the studio recording with all of my guests. Check out the incredible lineup that I have for you in Season 12: Toni Shelaske, owner of Healthy Pet Products Jeff Krakoff, owner of Krakoff Communications 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 If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com [https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano] Phone: 412-336-8247

Getting to tour Destin LeCornu’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. If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com [https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano] Phone: 412-336-8247 YOU CAN REACH DESTIN LECORNU AT: Website: https://www.sunsetplacestudio.com [https://www.sunsetplacestudio.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinlecornu [https://www.instagram.com/destinlecornu] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075963441408 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075963441408]

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! If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton! YOU CAN REACH ME AT: Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com [https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast [https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano] Phone: 412-336-8247 YOU CAN REACH CLAIRE LANDUYT AT: Website: https://www.chezlapingoods.com [https://www.chezlapingoods.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chezlapingoods [https://www.instagram.com/chezlapingoods] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChezLapinGoods [https://www.facebook.com/ChezLapinGoods]