The First Customer

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview a very special friend, Jedidiah Weller, the CEO and Founder of Open Forge and Startup Wars.

Jedidiah shares his entrepreneurial journey, beginning in rural Pennsylvania, where he grew up in Amish country. He details how his experiences in a challenging upbringing without strong entrepreneurial role models spurred his drive to succeed. After a difficult start in the corporate world and a failed West Coast startup that left him financially strained, Jedidiah co-founded a successful digital agency called Webjunto, which eventually evolved into Open Forge. This transformation marked a pivotal moment in his career, where he decided to focus solely on mobile applications, a decision that led to Open Forge becoming a top player in the mobile app development space, serving millions of users worldwide.

Jedidiah discusses the strategic shift from Webjunto to Open Forge, highlighting the challenges and successes of specializing in mobile apps. Despite losing some customers and team members during the transition, the move allowed Open Forge to attract larger, more lucrative clients. Jedidiah also emphasizes the importance of community building and local engagement, particularly through events like the Philly Junto, which helped establish his company’s reputation in Philadelphia. This focus on specialization and local impact set the stage for the development of Startup Wars, an educational game designed to teach entrepreneurship. Although initially launched as a mobile app, the project evolved as Jedidiah and his team adapted to the needs of their target market, reflecting the broader lessons of his entrepreneurial journey.

Tune in to discover the power of relentless curiosity and teaching as Jedidiah Weller shares his inspiring story in this episode of The First Customer! 

Guest Info:
Startup Wars
http://www.startupwars.com

Open Forge
http://www.openforge.io

Jedidiah Weller's  LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jedidiahweller/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jack Adler, CEO and Founder of Out2Win Sports.

Jack shares his journey from growing up in Bluebell and Villanova to his time at Syracuse University, where he founded Out2Win Sports in 2021. The idea for his sports marketing firm, which specializes in connecting brands with athlete creators in the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) space, was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jack and his twin sister's successful COVID-19 relief fundraiser ignited his passion for entrepreneurship, leading him to create Out2Win, which has since partnered with major brands like Nerf. Jack emphasizes the importance of starting locally and building relationships, recalling how he began by pitching local Syracuse businesses with creative marketing campaigns before expanding to larger clients.

Jack also discusses the unique approach of Out2Win, which focuses on athlete creators—athletes who excel not only in sports but also in content creation. The company is currently developing software to streamline brand-athlete collaborations by identifying athletes with strong social media influence. Jack highlights the significance of building an organic community and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, and Instagram to establish meaningful partnerships.

Step into the world of athlete creators and discover how Jack Adler is changing the game with Out2Win Sports on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Out2Win Sports
https://www.out2win.io/


Jack Adler's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-adler/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Leopold van Oosten, the CEO and Founder of Amsterdam Standard.

Leopold recounts his entrepreneurial journey, which began in a small, unremarkable town in the Netherlands. Initially studying hotel management with aspirations of entering the hospitality industry, his path took a dramatic turn during an internship in London in 2001. There, he was exposed to the potential of online services, particularly the burgeoning online ticketing industry. Inspired by the innovation he witnessed in London, Leopold and his friend launched the first local online ticket service in the Netherlands. This venture, while successful, eventually led Leopold into the world of digital agencies, where he found his niche in building platforms and solutions, marking the beginning of Amsterdam Standard.

Leopold shares the challenges of running an agency, especially in a highly competitive industry. He notes that after 19 years of relatively smooth operations, the past year has been particularly tough due to various global crises impacting the IT sector. This forced Amsterdam Standard to rethink its marketing strategy, leading them to adopt a new approach inspired by Donald Miller's "How to Build a StoryBrand." Despite the difficulties, Leopold remains passionate about his work, particularly in helping SaaS companies scale their operations. 

Let's explore into the canals of Amsterdam and uncover the secrets behind Leopold van Oosten's 19-year digital legacy on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Amsterdam Standard
https://www.amsterdamstandard.com

Leopold van Oosten's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leopoldvanoosten/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Ann Carden, CEO and Founder of Expert In You.

Ann delved into her entrepreneurial journey, which began in Missouri, influenced by her father, an entrepreneur. Ann's early ventures started with a doll business that she grew into a global enterprise, crafting and selling her own line of dolls. This experience instilled in her a deep understanding of business mechanics, leading her to build and manage multiple successful health clubs and weight loss centers. It was through these ventures that she realized her passion for coaching, initially in health and wellness, and later in business, after hiring her first business coach who helped her unlock new potential.

Ann emphasized the importance of resilience and focusing on solutions rather than problems, a lesson learned from both personal experiences and coaching others. She discussed how setting challenging, realistic goals, paired with a detailed strategy, has driven her success. Ann highlighted the necessity of having a strong "why" behind goals to maintain motivation and achieve them. Her journey from a small-town entrepreneur to a global business coach underscores the power of determination, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt and grow through each business phase.

Unlock the vault of business wisdom with Ann Carden's insights into powerful strategies and leadership on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Expert In You
http://www.annlcarden.com


Ann Carden's  LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anncarden-business-consultant-coach/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tomé Duarte, the Fractional CTO and Founder of Penguin Objective.

Tomé shares how he started the year strong with a record-setting Q1, crediting his meticulous use of spreadsheets for managing his operations and cash flow. Originally from Portugal, Tomé explains that he lived in Brazil and Ireland before settling back in his homeland, though his primary market is North America due to the fast-paced business culture. He emphasizes how the U.S. and Canadian markets align with his preference for growth-oriented and fast-moving business environments, contrasting this with the more traditional approaches often seen in Europe.

Tomé discusses the origins of Penguin Objective, a company name derived from a government-issued list in Portugal, which resonated with him due to his connection to Linux. He explains that Penguin Objective focuses on providing fractional CTO services to pre-seed and early-stage startups, helping them navigate tech strategy, operations, and development challenges. He also delves into his entrepreneurial background, inspired by his father's civil engineering business and built on experience from previous ventures. Tomé talks about refining his ideal customer profile (ICP) and offering over time, shifting from large enterprises to startups that better align with his values and goals, while also sharing the importance of being adaptable and open to opportunities that may arise unexpectedly, much like his symbolic encounter with a frog mascot at a Web Summit event.

Let's explore the vibrant streets of Porto and uncover Tomé Duarte's journey of resilience, innovation, and creative leadership on The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Penguin Objective
https://iamto.me/


Tomé Duarte's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomeduarte/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jennifer Cresswell, Founder of Thoughtgro.

Jennifer grew up in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area and having a background in industrial engineering from Cornell, Jennifer's drive to improve and optimize systems led her to launch Thoughtgro in July 2022. Despite initial challenges and a steep learning curve, Jennifer emphasized that her success stems from a blend of creative problem-solving and proven processes. Networking, content creation, and thought leadership have been key strategies for her, helping her build meaningful connections and attract clients.

Jennifer also discussed her passion for space, revealing her role as a volunteer Solar System Ambassador for NASA, where she educates the community about space science. Looking ahead to 2024, she aims for growth by fostering partnerships and continuing to build her business while maintaining a mindset of collaboration and mutual benefit. Jennifer's approach highlights the importance of genuine connections and a growth-oriented mindset in entrepreneurship.

Discover the blend of analytical precision and space exploration that defines Jennifer Cresswell’s journey on this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Thoughtgro
https://www.thoughtgro.com/

Jennifer Cresswell's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cresswell-2a39892b/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Tim Branyan, founder of TrueFanz.

Tim grew up in Kokomo, Indiana and explained how his early life, including the influence of his comedian father and his curiosity, shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. Tim's first business venture was modifying Xbox consoles during high school, which taught him about market demand and customer service. His first more formal business, Rocket Grow, was an automated social media platform that provided crucial learning experiences about compliance and business operations.

Tim discussed how his approach to entrepreneurship has evolved, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort and empathy in building successful businesses. He detailed how TrueFanz, his latest venture, grew from discovering niche markets through direct outreach, such as the trucking community, which led to substantial success. Tim highlighted that finding the right customer and understanding their needs is vital, and he advised that real influence comes from quality engagement rather than sheer numbers.

Dive into Tim Branyan's inventive world and discover how TrueFanz redefines digital engagement on this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
TrueFanz
https://www.truefanz.com


Tim Branyan's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbranyan/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jim Keeney, founder and CEO of Dapt Tech.

Jim explains that the entrepreneurial drive is fueled by a desire to build things and solve problems, which began for him in childhood. He talks about how Dapt Tech helps businesses track profit and loss by activity, allowing them to accurately assess the costs of specific jobs and make informed decisions about future projects. Jim also shares his background in software development and how his experience with Fitterweb Consulting led to the creation of Dapt Tech.

Jim highlights the importance of building authority in niche industries through partnerships with influential companies like Intuit, ADP, and Paychex, which have helped Dapt Tech scale without relying solely on traditional marketing. He advises entrepreneurs to start by focusing on the problem they're solving and building relationships within the communities where their customers and industry experts are active. By solving a specific problem that no one else has addressed, Dapt Tech has earned a reputation for delivering critical insights to its customers, enabling them to optimize profitability across different lines of business.

Join us as Mark Allen reveals how passion, resilience, and a spark of inspiration brought mental health to the forefront of tech, in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Dapt Tech
https://www.dapt.tech/


Jim Keeney's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dapttech/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Mark Allen, Co-founder and CTO of Cobalt Innovations Inc. 

Mark grew up in Bluebell, Pennsylvania. He credited his wife’s influence for igniting his entrepreneurial spirit. Initially working in tech as a software consultant, Mark eventually co-founded Cobalt during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform was developed rapidly in response to the urgent mental health needs of healthcare workers, with Penn Medicine as their first client. Cobalt provides healthcare institutions with tools to support their employees' mental health, offering services like one-on-one appointments, group sessions, and self-guided resources.

Mark also shared insights into the challenges and rewards of balancing his role at Cobalt with his long-term consulting work at Transmogrify, a company he co-founded with Mark Spence. He emphasized the importance of strong relationships and trust in building Cobalt, particularly in securing their first customer through an established connection.

Get inspired by Mark Allen's journey from concept to a thriving health tech platform in this insightful episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Cobalt Innovations Inc.
https://www.cobaltinnovations.org



Mark Allen's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-allen-721b751/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Timothy Poore, the CEO and Co-founder of ATP Healthcare. 

Timothy shared insights into his journey as an entrepreneur, reflecting on how his upbringing, particularly his parents' business endeavors, shaped his work ethic and determination. He discussed the origins of ATP Healthcare, a company that specializes in finding post-acute care placement for challenging patients, often navigating complex cases involving criminal backgrounds, insurance issues, and clinical complexities. Timothy emphasized the critical role his company plays in ensuring safe and effective patient transfers from hospitals to appropriate care facilities, highlighting the intricate challenges that come with such transitions.

Timothy also revealed how ATP Healthcare's success led to the co-founding of a second company in partnership with Potential Analytics, developing an AI platform to streamline the patient transition process. Despite the daunting challenges in the healthcare industry, Timothy remains driven by a sense of responsibility and frustration at the system's inefficiencies, continually striving to make a positive impact.

Witness Timothy's relentless commitment to improving patient care while navigating the complexities of running two interconnected businesses in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
ATP Healthcare
http://www.ATPHealthCare.com

Timothy Poore's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-poore-30839052/

Connect with Jay on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
The First Customer Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcast
The First Customer podcast website
https://www.firstcustomerpodcast.com
Follow The First Customer on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/