In this episode of Start Up Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with Hannah Samlall, co-founder of both Waterloo Street, a branding and web design agency, and The Biz Collective, a community-driven membership supporting women-owned businesses. Together with her sister Rachel, Hannah has built a thriving creative agency while championing small businesses and female founders across Pittsburgh and beyond.

Waterloo Street was born out of a complementary partnership—Rachel’s background in PR and digital marketing paired seamlessly with Hannah’s communication studies and creative execution. After a stint in corporate marketing and recruitment in NYC, Hannah left her role and moved back home to Virginia to work on building the business full-time. The sisters bootstrapped their way to early success, starting out with digital marketing services for small businesses. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a rapid pivot when their clients—and their revenue—disappeared overnight.

Rather than fold, they adapted. They launched The Biz Collective, a low-cost, high-support directory for local women-owned businesses, and transitioned Waterloo Street into a 100% web design studio, allowing them to focus on project-based work with clearer boundaries and greater creative fulfillment. In 2023, they added branding services to their roster and are now exploring the reintroduction of email marketing, with social media potentially back on the table—if the right person joins the team.

Hannah shares how Waterloo Street has evolved from serving startup tech clients to being a go-to creative partner for female founders and wedding industry professionals, driven largely by referrals and community trust. Despite early aspirations of national exposure, Pittsburgh’s tight-knit business scene has been their home base, with growth starting to pick up across cities like NYC, Denver, and Nashville. The team takes a client-first approach, often customizing design styles and workflows based on personality fit, communication preferences, and creative vision.

She also reflects on the importance of working with family, citing the ability to communicate honestly and efficiently without the politics of traditional partnerships. Rachel leads sales and client onboarding, while Hannah steers creative execution and strategy, creating a dynamic partnership that’s built on trust and mutual respect.

Looking ahead, Hannah envisions Waterloo Street evolving into a full-scale creative agency—reintroducing more services and scaling with a team of contractors and white-label developers to meet demand. For The Biz Collective, her dream is to turn it into a national network with local chapters supporting small, women-owned businesses through events, education, and community.

She gives a shoutout to Sydney Conway, founder of Know Your Worth Bookkeeping and co-founder of North Hills Golf Academy, as a future guest recommendation—someone with a strong entrepreneurial spirit who’s dabbled in multiple ventures.

Hannah leaves listeners with one simple, powerful piece of advice:

“Get really comfortable with rejection. It’s awkward, but it’s not personal. A ‘no’ is just a ‘no.’ Move on.”

In this episode of Startup Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with David McGlennon, fractional CEO and President of Impact Leadership Consulting, to discuss his journey from startup founder to leadership coach, the importance of confidence in entrepreneurship, and strategies for preventing burnout.

David’s career began in the insurance industry, where he co-founded and successfully scaled multiple businesses, including a startup during the 2008–2009 recession that grew rapidly despite economic challenges. As his company expanded and engaged in private equity discussions, David found himself overwhelmed by the constant grind, leading him to reevaluate his priorities. This pivotal moment—missing part of his son’s jazz concert due to flight delays—sparked his decision to leave the corporate hustle and launch Impact Leadership Consulting in 2015.

Now, David works with business owners and emerging leaders, helping them develop leadership skills, improve team dynamics, and prepare for long-term company growth. He emphasizes the importance of borrowing confidence from mentors, surrounding yourself with trusted advisors, and avoiding the entrepreneurial “island” mindset—trying to build a business alone.

Throughout the conversation, David shares key insights on burnout prevention, encouraging startup founders to set boundaries, integrate work and personal life, and maintain physical and mental health. He also stresses the power of relationship-building, explaining how the most successful entrepreneurs prioritize giving first and creating value for others before expecting anything in return.

Looking ahead, David is expanding his Emerging Leader Academy, a program designed to equip the next generation of business leaders with the skills and mindset needed for sustainable success. He also highlights the growing demand for fractional CEO roles, where experienced executives step in to guide companies through critical transitions.

David gives a shoutout to Brittany Hofmeister, founder of Companion Care Home Care, as a great potential guest. He admires her approach to leadership and growth in the healthcare industry, especially as she explores franchising opportunities.

In this episode of Startup Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with Nate Stallman, founder of Lighthouse Offers, to discuss his journey into real estate investing, his transition from a corporate sales job to full-time entrepreneurship, and his long-term vision for his company. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, Nate focuses on flipping homes and holding rental properties, specifically targeting distressed properties owned by landlords or inherited by individuals who prefer to sell rather than renovate. He acquires his properties through direct mail and pay-per-click marketing, avoiding the traditional MLS and opting for direct-to-seller transactions.

Nate shares how he initially got into real estate while still in college, recognizing its potential for wealth-building. To fund his first deal, he started a cleaning business with his roommate, saving enough money to purchase his first property for just $15,000. After graduating in 2022 and working in construction sales, he ultimately decided to take the leap into full-time real estate investing in December 2023. His goal is to flip at least seven properties per year, while steadily building a rental portfolio of 50 high-quality units by the time he turns 30.

Throughout the conversation, Nate discusses key lessons learned, including a contractor horror story where he lost $10,000–$15,000 due to mismanagement. He now mitigates this risk by purchasing all materials himself and working exclusively with trusted contractors. He also highlights his shift from cold outreach to a more brand-focused marketing strategy, incorporating Google Ads, SEO, and online reviews to build credibility in the community.

Looking ahead, Nate plans to scale his business within the Youngstown market and possibly expand into Cleveland, but prefers to stay within an hour of his home base. He shares his thoughts on entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of taking risks while young, having strong financial reserves, and making strategic business decisions without being cash-strapped. He also gives a shoutout to Corey McPherson, a fellow entrepreneur in real estate and e-commerce, as a potential future guest.

In this episode of Start Up Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with Daniel Croce, co-founder and partner at Birgo Capital, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the growth of his real estate investment firm, and the importance of building a values-driven company. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Birgo Capital specializes in workforce housing in the heartland of America, investing in affordable multifamily apartment buildings in cities like Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The firm, now approaching its ten-year anniversary, is vertically integrated, managing properties in-house with a team of 100 employees who handle everything from maintenance to leasing and investor relations.

Daniel shares how his real estate journey began with a single Craigslist listing—a $19,000 townhouse he purchased using an early inheritance and bank financing. After experiencing the power of passive income, he became hooked on real estate investing, acquiring more properties using borrowed capital from friends and family. With a background in public accounting and investment management, Daniel soon realized his passion for both real estate and stewarding investor capital, which ultimately led to the founding of Birgo Capital.

The conversation also highlights Birgo’s partnership-driven foundation. Daniel explains how he teamed up with Andrew Reichert, who had built a property management company, and Shannon Reichert, who helped shape the firm’s people-first culture. This collaboration allowed Birgo to scale efficiently while ensuring strong operational control over its properties. A core pillar of their success has been their commitment to people and culture, which is reflected in their company values and mantras like "Improving lives through real estate". Daniel emphasizes that their team actively participates in shaping company values, ensuring that the culture remains strong as the business grows.

From an investment perspective, Daniel provides insights into Birgo’s real estate strategy, including the key factors they look for in a property and the lessons learned from early missteps, such as straying from their core expertise. He also shares invaluable advice for entrepreneurs raising capital, stressing the importance of relationship-building, trust, transparency, and domain expertise. He notes that securing investment is more than just a transaction—it’s about building long-term, authentic connections with investors who believe in both the business model and the people behind it.

Looking ahead, Birgo is preparing for a new challenge—the sale and exit process for their first fund, marking a significant milestone as they shift from acquiring properties to selling them strategically. As Daniel reflects on this transition, he underscores the importance of staying adaptable and developing skills for the next stage of business growth.

To wrap up, Daniel recommends Shane Moriarty, a venture capitalist and former entrepreneur, as a future guest for the show. His final advice to entrepreneurs is to "stay humble, be transparent, and lead with the bad news." He stresses that self-awareness and authenticity are key to building strong relationships in business and beyond.

In this episode of Start Up Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with Zack Engel, founder of Way Maker Insurance Group, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the niche insurance market he specializes in, and his vision for the future of his company. Zack shares how Way Maker focuses on voluntary employee benefits, offering essential products such as life insurance, short-term disability, accident coverage, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity plans. Unlike many traditional insurance providers, Way Maker prides itself on a hands-on, relationship-driven approach, ensuring clients receive personalized service throughout the enrollment and claims process rather than being directed to call centers.

Zack’s journey into the insurance industry was unexpected—having originally pursued a career in construction management, he found his way into insurance through networking and discovered his passion for building relationships over simply making sales. He explains how Way Maker differentiates itself by catering to a wide range of businesses, from small mom-and-pop shops to large corporations across industries like construction, healthcare, oil & gas, real estate, and hospitality. Additionally, their ability to serve 1099 workers gives them a competitive edge in an industry where flexible, portable benefits are in high demand.

During the conversation, Zack provides an in-depth breakdown of Way Maker’s five core insurance products, explaining how they fill critical gaps for employees, particularly those with high-deductible health plans or limited employer benefits. He also shares his ambitious goals for the company, which include expanding his team, increasing carrier partnerships, and re-entering the business insurance sector to create a full-service agency.

As the discussion wraps up, Zack offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of not fearing failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and staying true to your values. He also highlights the significance of learning from setbacks and using them as a driving force for success. The episode closes with a teaser for future guests, promising more inspiring startup stories in the episodes ahead.

Pete Schramm, CEO and founder of Lattitude, shares his journey from engineer to startup founder, detailing the lessons he learned along the way. In an interview with Colton Hower, host of Startup Showcase, Pete discusses how he initially had no idea what he was doing when starting Lattitude but took it one step at a time. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding himself with a diverse group of people, including allies from different backgrounds and an accountability partner.

Pete explains how Lattitude, a career development and networking platform, aims to streamline the mentorship experience using AI and NLP to improve business processes. The platform offers users a personalized experience, allowing them to complete surveys, upload resumes, develop career maps, and get matched with mentors. Pete shares his vision for the future of the company and provides valuable insights into networking, encouraging those who are hesitant to take the leap.

In addition to his personal story, Pete discusses the inspiration behind Lattitude, which was born out of his desire to help people navigate their careers more effectively. He also highlights the significance of validating business ideas with potential customers before launching a startup.

Finally, the conversation shifts to the importance of mentorship and building a personal board of advisors. Pete reflects on his own experiences with mentorship and introduces the concept of a personal board, which includes cross-functional mentors, functional mentors, advocates, and allies. He explains how these relationships evolve over time as a person’s career progresses, and how they can play a crucial role in career development.

In this episode of The Start Up Showcase, Colton interviews Greg Caprara, the founder and strategic consultant of Certantum Strategies, a company that helps startups with product articulation and marketing. They discuss Greg’s background and how he got started in entrepreneurship, sharing insights into the key factors behind his success.

Greg offers valuable advice on running a successful business, including tips on networking, building relationships, and the importance of continuous learning. He emphasizes that startup owners should admit when they don’t know everything and actively seek knowledge from others.

The conversation also explores the potential for growth in the Pittsburgh startup landscape, with Greg highlighting opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs in the region. He shares his extensive experience working with startups around the world, across various industries and technologies, and discusses how international companies can better understand the U.S. market.

Finally, Greg and Colton dive into how client services have evolved over time and the importance of maintaining focus, implementing decision-making processes, and aligning a company’s values to stand out from competitors. They also discuss trends with potential for success, such as sustainability and leveraging technology to streamline business operations.

In this interview, Dan Simkins and Doogie Levine, the founders of Atiid, discuss the role of artificial intelligence in the business world and how their company helps organizations implement AI technology effectively. They share their insights on the current state of AI in business, the potential it holds, and their plans for expanding their client portfolio in the coming year.

The founders emphasize that businesses are beginning to recognize the impact of AI, but the biggest hurdles they face are a lack of understanding and unrealistic expectations about what AI can currently achieve. Atiid positions itself between tool creation and practical implementation, focusing on educating and consulting businesses on how to utilize AI technology in a way that is both feasible and impactful.

Dan and Doogie's partnership was built over two and a half years of networking, during which they got to know each other and their complementary skills. Together, they founded Atiid to help businesses identify how to integrate AI into their operations. The company analyzes each business’s processes, applies AI strategies, and implements AI tools to improve efficiency. They also provide future-state analyses and conduct re-audits twice a year to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancements.

Looking ahead, Dan and Doogie hope to build a national team of consultants who can work with businesses across the country. They believe their expertise in leveraging AI—rather than building it from scratch—will position them well in the evolving AI landscape.

They also share advice for aspiring startup founders and entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of creativity and effective data management when using AI technology. Dan and Doogie are optimistic that AI will bring positive changes to the business world, increasing creativity and efficiency, while allowing people to enjoy their jobs more by relieving them from mundane tasks.

Ultimately, Atiid aims to help businesses harness the power of AI in a realistic and sustainable way, guiding them through the complexities of AI implementation and ensuring they are prepared for the future.

In this interview on The Startup Showcase, host Colton Hower speaks with Kiana Laurin, founder of Kiana Laurin Coaching, about her journey as a business coach and serial entrepreneur. Kiana shares her background in strategic finance and economic development, explaining how she transitioned from a corporate job to starting her own coaching business. She talks about launching her coaching practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and how she had to evolve and rebrand her business to meet new challenges.

Kiana describes her coaching style as bold, no-nonsense, and focused on authenticity and connection. She believes in being upfront and honest with her clients, challenging them to push themselves and step outside their comfort zones in order to grow. The first steps she takes with a new client include evaluating their needs and values, assessing their business, and identifying opportunities for growth. She emphasizes the importance of slowing down and gaining a fresh perspective to see new possibilities.

Kiana also opens up about her personal experiences with failure, discussing how she learned to embrace change and adapt her business approach over time. She reveals some of her own missteps along the way and highlights the importance of self-awareness and being flexible in the face of challenges. She encourages startup founders and young entrepreneurs to remember that it’s okay to evolve and let go of what they thought they had.

In addition to her coaching business, Kiana is founder of BST Circle, a tasting experience and networking club in Pittsburgh. They mix & match eclectic people and passionate partners in the spirit of education, connection, and contribution. Kiana is also involved with F*ck Up Nights Pittsburgh, a group that encourages people to share their failures and learn from them.

Kiana stresses that self-care is crucial in the entrepreneurial journey and advises entrepreneurs to prioritize their clients' needs while also taking care of themselves to avoid burnout. She encourages people to find resources, such as a coach, that can help them improve and shift their perspectives.

Kiana’s message to entrepreneurs is clear: prioritize growth, embrace change, and remember that failure is a valuable learning opportunity.

On this episode of the Startup Showcase, Victor Spalding, owner and founder of personal training studio Control Lab, discusses his journey starting the business and how he prioritizes personal touch and customization in everything their two locations have to offer.

Victor also opens up about the current trends in the fitness industry and how his studio has adapted to offer online services. Control Lab is a fitness facility that offers one-on-one training and group classes merging best-in-class practices with very flexible offerings.

In the future, Victor hopes to expand to a third location, (and hopefully more!) and have that growth propel his model into additional real estate opportunities.