Philly Tech Connect by Philadelphia Tech Entrepreneurs

Bootstrap First: Guiding Founders to Early Wins

In this episode of the Philly TechConnect podcast, Patrick Thompson shares his journey from PR and marketing to running his own incubator, Bootstrap First, which helps very early stage founders achieve success with their ideas. He discusses the key differences between incubators and accelerators, and highlights the importance of resources, accountability, and structured frameworks for startups at the idea stage.
 
📌 Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introducing Patrick Thompson
00:01:19 - From PR to incubators
00:02:19 - Learning from both successes and struggles
00:03:54 - Incubator vs. accelerator
00:05:47 - Ideal stage for an incubator
00:08:12 - Bootstrap First model and success
00:09:47 - Bootstrapping philosophy
00:12:07 - Preparing for the second cohort
00:12:47 - How to connect with Bootstrap First
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:
Patrick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bootstrappat/
 
🔹 Join Our Community:
Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
 
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...
Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
 
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.
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Dodging Brain Drain: Lessons on Knowledge Management

Lisa DellaPorta is a technical writer, servings now as a consultant and a previous veteran of six SaaS startups.  She talks with Dave on why knowledge management begins the day you start your company, and how to avoid the dreaded “brain drain” when a key individual inevitably leaves.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introducing Lisa DellaPorta00:01:15 - Defining knowledge management00:02:00 - Challenges of scaling knowledge00:03:20 - Signs of a knowledge gap00:04:45 - Risks of losing institutional knowledge00:06:15 - Starting with knowledge management00:07:45 - Keeping knowledge up to date00:09:20 - Common mistakes in knowledge management00:11:00 - Best practices for documentation00:12:15 - Connecting with Lisa DellaPorta
🔸 Connect with the guests:Lisa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-dellaporta-92032b33/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Small Bets, Big Wins: The Power of the MVP

Nolan Makatche is a multidisciplinary engineer-turned-entrepreneur with a rapid-fire approach to finding his “big win.” He and Dave break down the strategy.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - The Philly TechConnect Podcast00:01:02 - Meet Nolan Makatche00:01:32 - Selling lemonade00:02:36 - From Penn State to e-commerce00:03:17 - Pivot to web development00:04:36 - Embracing small bets00:05:34 - Ideation and constraints00:07:04 - Inspiration behind SafeSelect00:09:56 - MVP development status00:11:12 - How to connect with Nolan
🔸 Connect with the guests:Nolan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-mak/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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From IKEA to Innovation

Stefanie Smith has a storied career, most notably with famed furniture retailer IKEA.  But she has a new mission now: helping every idea see the light of day.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introducing Stefanie Smith00:01:10 - Journey with IKEA00:03:03 - Scandinavian corporate culture00:04:36 - Unveiling the core process00:06:19 - Simplifying business planning00:07:43 - Identifying market competition00:09:50 - Engaging financial planning00:11:14 - Ideal candidates for the core process00:13:07 - Impactful high school project00:15:41 - Future plans and community involvement
🔸 Connect with the guests:Stefanie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniesmith7/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Is a Partnership Right for You?

Tim Garrity is an accomplished Realtor serving the Greater Philadelphia area and having spent the past decade running a very successful independent brokerage.  After disbanding that brokerage earlier this year, Tim joins the pod to discuss the pros and cons of partnerships and going into business with others.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Is a Partnership Right for You?00:01:09 - From Corporate America to Real Estate00:02:13 - Founding Your Own Business00:05:30 - Building a Business00:07:19 -  Defining a Partnership00:10:23 - Ending the Partnership00:17:20 - What’s Next00:19:55 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
🔸 Connect with the guests:Tim’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothygarrity/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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The Polymath’s Journey

Mike Martin climbed the ranks of the corporate world for 30 years before striking out on his own with Top Down Strategies Consulting.  In preparing for this moment, Mike became a TEDx speaker, wrote a book, and started his own podcast.  He joins Dave to discuss it all.
 
📌 Timestamps:
00:02:07 - The self-fulfilling prophecy
00:04:08 - Mental fitness
00:06:10 - Positive self-talk
00:08:14 - Mastering self-command
00:10:13 - The key to successful writing
00:14:15 - Economies of language
00:18:25 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:
Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemartin/
 
🔹 Join Our Community:
Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
 
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...
Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
 
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.
Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
 
#PhillyTechConnect #StartupChallenges #EntrepreneurialJourney #TechInnovation #Philadelphia

Death to the Powerpoint

Rachel Winchester is a serial freelancer with more than a little entrepreneurial streak.  She chats with Dave about her many irons in the fire, and how she once won a pitch competition against all odds.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - The Grim Reaper00:01:44 - Better web presentations00:03:42 - Death to slide decks and killing powerpoints00:05:43 - Common mistakes in making presentations00:07:35 - Introducing Focus Assistants00:09:26 - The power of accountability partners00:11:25 - The fundraising phase00:13:21 - Winning a pitch against all odds00:15:09 - Rachel’s contact info00:17:06 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Rachel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winchesterachel/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Lessons from a Lifelong CEO

Brian Fitzpatrick has been around the block, having served as a CEO for several different Philadelphia-area technology companies and leading all but one to a successful exit.  He joins Dave to share his most valuable lessons.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - The evolution of the Philadelphia tech scene00:01:53 - The Philly scene, then and now00:03:41 - Seek wisdom00:05:38 - Effective leadership00:07:36 - The role of authenticity in leadership00:09:22 - Embracing failure00:11:26 - The candyman00:13:31 - Learning from all facets00:15:40 - Understanding others00:17:47 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Brian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briankfitzpatrick 
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Consistent Income Hitting Singles & Doubles

Craig Eppler, founder of his eponymous investment firm, joins Dave to discuss running his firm from vibrant downtown Philadelphia, and his strategy for generating consistent returns for his clients.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:33 - Transition to Real Estate Investment00:03:11 - The Nightmare of the First Rental Property00:04:44 - What is a Portfolio in Real Estate Investing?00:06:16 - Investing in Other Ventures00:07:48 - Secret unlocked: Aircraft Parts Business00:09:15 - Due Diligence and Asset Backing00:10:45 - Providing Stable Income During Retirement00:12:14 - Diversifying your Investment Portfolio00:13:45 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Craig’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceppler
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Raising Capital in Philadelphia

Josh Devon, an accomplished tech founder and advisor, along with seasoned investor David Luk, hop on with Dave to chat raising capital in Philadelphia, dispelling a few myths along the way.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Nobody’s giving you money
00:02:44 - Giving up Autonomy and Equity in Fundraising
00:05:21 - Raising Institutional Capital and the Venture Market Cycle
00:08:11 - The Fundraising Cycle
00:10:59 - The Philadelphia Tech Ecosystem
00:13:31 - Building a Virtuous Cycle in the Startup Community
00:16:09 - Bridging the Gap between Capital and Tech Startups
00:18:59 - Creating a Commercially Viable Company
00:21:45 - The Unsexy Middleware Company
00:24:31 - Like, comment, and subscribe!
🔸 Connect with the guests:
Josh’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-devon/
David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsluk/
 
🔹 Join Our Community:
Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
 
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...
Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
 
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.
Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
 
#PhillyTechConnect #StartupChallenges #EntrepreneurialJourney #TechInnovation #Philadelphia