Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurial spirit thrives in its small businesses

Even the biggest Pittsburgh-area startups begin with an idea and just a few employees. 

The region’s entrepreneurial spirit dates back to well-known names like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick and Henry John Heinz. Back then, manufacturing and steel were the significant forces, while today tourism and the tech sector are bigger local economy drivers.

Yet the ethos behind building these businesses hasn’t changed, entrepreneurs told Technical.ly. 

“It’s a lot of trial by fire and learn as you go, but I’m now more in control of my future,” said Megan Datsko, founder and owner of pet store and dog washing service The FURgh.

Pittsburgh is one of the top cities in the US for doing business, in many sectors. The region landed in the top 25 North American emerging startup ecosystems, according to the annual Global Startup Ecosystem Report from trade association and research group Startup Genome. Globally, it’s top 40.

With the affordable cost of living and many high-ranking colleges and universities right here in our backyard, many businesses choose to grow in Pittsburgh. Along with startups, some of the world’s biggest companies (Hi Google! Hi Amazon!) have moved offices. 

Plus, Pittsburgh is just behind Cleveland in the top spot for the country’s youngest entrepreneurs, according to a Lending Tree study. 

A former veterinarian technician, Datsko believes the best way to learn as an entrepreneur is just by doing it. She opened FURgh in June 2023, after a realization during COVID shutdowns:

“I wanted,” Datsko said, “to be able to spend more time with my dog.”

Bringing the community together and channeling passion into success

Eric and his wife Sarah opened Irwin-based White Tree Cafe and Coffeehouse in 2022 to build community. While they didn’t quite have it all figured out, they decided to move forward anyway. 

“It’s OK not to be completely confident when starting something new,” Eric said.

With a lack of spaces to gather compared to what once was, the Shearers saw a need in the Irwin area and jumped on it. Eric uses the analytical skills from his former corporate job, and Sarah brings creative skills from her corporate position. 

Their storefront offers specialty coffee, tea drinks, and baked goods. It also hosts various events throughout the year. “People are more isolated than they ever used to be,” Eric said.

After being open for nearly two years, the Shearers have seen how their transition from corporate to entrepreneur life has created a strong community in the area. It helps that their past skills come in handy for the small business, too. 

Arthur Pitt, the owner of C & J Foods, makes and distributes Artie’s Hot Sauce throughout the Pittsburgh region. He’s wanted his own business since he was young. 

Burnout from the corporate world ultimately led to more drive to start his venture, Pitt said, but first with music, then cannabis and now food, he always aimed to turn his passions into a livelihood. 

“Passion comes first and foremost as an entrepreneur,” said Pitt.

While social media is a significant marketing tactic, he also engages with the public, builds relationships with the community and asks for feedback. But he cautions other ambitious entrepreneurs that it wasn’t easy. 

“You can’t cut corners,” Pitt said, “and must teach yourself everything.”