How To Enjoy February In Pittsburgh

It may be a leap year, but there still aren’t enough days in February for all of the fun events Pittsburgh has to offer. You don’t need a Valentine’s Day date to enjoy February in the Steel City. Here are a few things to mark in your calendar this month:

(Curated from NextPittsburgh)

1. Fun-A-Day Art Show

This art show will get you out of the house and help you forget your cabin fever. At the Fun-A-Day event, local artists and creators collaborate on a different project every day. You can attend the free opening reception on February 6 at TechSoup to see the initiation of this year’s project.

“Each year during the month of January, local makers bond together via a creative challenge dubbed Fun-A-Day. That means participants choose one art project to work on every day for the entire month. This year, 60-plus industrious Pittsburghers heeded the call. You can see all of the creative results—from plush dolls and 3D printed objects, to poetry and tattoos—at Fun-A-Day’s culminating exhibition. A staunch grassroots ethos underscores the group’s inclusive welcoming mission: Fun-A-Day is always free, all-ages and un-juried.”

2. Alternative Souper Bowl

Before the big game on February 7, you can enjoy free entertainment and celebrate independent music at the Carnegie Library.

“The free afternoon of live music (noon to 3:00)  at Carnegie Library’s main branch features performances by renowned percussionist and Rusted Root co-founder Jim Donovan, alt-country band City Dwelling Nature Seekers and indie rock quartet Lofi Delphi. Be sure to bring non-perishable food items and household products to donate. For its 16th annual installment, WYEP is joining forces with these local musical luminaries to help tackle hunger, with a donation drive benefiting HEARTH, a North Hills-based shelter that provides services to families experiencing homelessness and fleeing domestic violence.”

3. Ginger Whiskey Weekend

Wigle Whiskey will release its new Afterglow Ginger Whiskey on February 12 during an epic weekend-long celebration. You can spend Valentine’s Day trying the new ginger drink and enjoying themed festivities.

“The festivities double as a terrific date with that someone special, with three days of ginger-themed fun spanning Valentine’s Day weekend. Get a first sip on Friday, Feb. 12th when the distillery teams up with Brooklyn Brewery to host Spicy Soirée, featuring exclusive Ginger Whiskey samples, spiced beers and tasty tacos from Smoke. Head to the free, family-friendly Ginger Whiskey Weekend Feb. 13 & 14 for ample samplings, Valentine’s Day card-making, DJs, ginger-inspired pizza from Proper and whiskey truffles from Mon Amiee Chocolat. Concocted locally from PA baby ginger grown at Chatham’s Eden Hall campus and The Frick Pittsburgh’s greenhouse—along with a custom blend of pot-distilled multigrain whiskey—Afterglow is brightly spicy, lightly sweet and gently warming. Read: the ideal antidote to frigid February nights.”

Check out the rest of Pittsburgh’s February activities at NextPittsburgh.com and let us know what you’re looking forward to most this month!

How To Save Money At Your Startup

Founding a startup company is not an inexpensive venture. As the founder of your own business, you don’t want to break the bank with your company’s growing expenses so what can you do to save money and keep your startup going?

(Curated from Tech.Co)

• Take Advantage of B2B Marketplaces

Joining a B2B marketplace is a great way to network and learn more about your industry. These marketplaces also offer new resources that your startup can use to save money.

“This is what many small business owners do not even consider: most startups should use B2B marketplaces. Such a partnership is valuable because of so many reasons. For starters, you manage to meet new people in your industry. That can help you to set up barters and save even more.

“Another thing that we should mention is that B2B marketplaces can also help you to save money that you would spend on marketing campaigns. That is because of all the free advertising that becomes available. This is especially the case when referring to online B2B marketplaces.”

• Try Online Marketing

Moving your startup’s operations online will also help you save money. Digital advertising and marketing is easier than you think and easier on the wallet.

“One of the really easy ways for a startup to minimize business operation costs is to focus on promoting online or even on selling online. Many successful startups launched in 2015 were actually based online.

“Most business owners think that they cannot use the online world. This is incorrect. There is no business out there that would not benefit from having some sort of online presence. You can set up a website in order to promote the services offered or even to sell products/services when that is possible. When you use the online channels, you manage to save huge amounts of money and you can usually completely avoid investments made in regular advertising channels.”

• Give Repeat Customers Attention

Focusing on keeping customers that have already shown interest in what your startup has to offer is less expensive than pursuing new customers. It’s also a great way to establish a customer base and build a reputation for good customer service.  

“Most novice startup owners do not know this, but it is a lot cheaper to get repeat business than getting new clients. This is something that is highly important because when you manage to develop a strong repeat customer base, the advertising budget necessary to get new clients can be limited.

“The problem is that it is sometimes difficult to make people keep buying from you. This means that you need to have a good customer support service already set up and you want to make the current clients feel valuable. Brand loyalty is not what it used to be.”

Do you have any tips for entrepreneurs on how to save money while founding a startup?

Start 2016 Right With These Pittsburgh Events

Image by Navin Rajagopalan

There’s always something to do in Pittsburgh and this month isn’t any different. Despite the winter weather, Pittsburgh residents have several options when it comes to finding entertainment in January. Here are a few of the top events you don’t want to miss:

(Curated from NextPittsburgh)

1. Arcade Comedy Theatre Hosts Todd Glass

You don’t want to miss out on Pittsburgh’s up-and-coming comedy scene and there’s no better show to start with than Todd Glass who’s performing January 7 - 9 at Arcade Comedy Theatre. Glass’s career as a comedian began with stand-up on Comedy Central.

“Every Glass show is different, blending elements of improv, personal anecdotes and signature Glass witticisms. Packed with irreverent satire, explosive routines and plenty of squirm-in-your-seat audience interaction, Glass’s Arcade Comedy shows will be accompanied by Pittsburgh musicians James Rushin (piano) and Ross Antonich (drums). Make sure you’re in the audience for the hilarity, because Glass is working on new material for an upcoming comedy special to air in 2016.”

2. Chatham Baroque’s Twelfth Night Gala

Chatham Baroque celebrates its 25th anniversary with a chic musical event at the Ace Hotel on January 9. This benefit will also celebrate William Shakespeare’s influence on arts and culture.

“Kick off the winter night from 6 to 8 p.m. with a nod to Midsummer Night’s Dream during the VIP Oberon’s Feast catered by The Whitfield, followed by main event festivities from 8 to 11 p.m. Revelers will be treated to performances by Chatham Baroque and can bid on artwork in a silent auction curated by Jessica Beck of The Warhol Museum—all set against the backdrop of Pittsburgh’s newest boutique hotel. Performing locally and around the globe, Chatham Baroque features Andrew Fouts (baroque violin), Patricia Halverson (viola da gamba) and Scott Pauley (theorbo and baroque guitar) who bring technical prowess, period instruments and vibrant interpretations to 17th- and 18th-century music. Purchase tickets.”

3. The Winter Installment of Pittsburgh Restaurant Week

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week from January 11 - 17 is the perfect time to start eating your way through the #1 food city in the U.S.

“Zagat just named Pittsburgh a #1 food city and this is your chance to see why. For its winter installment, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week celebrates “New Dishes for the New Year” with a kickoff party on January 7th, preview weekend January 8-10 and 50-plus dining destinations spanning seven days and the entire city—from Paris 66 to Avenue B. Helping to boost the local restaurant economy during a slower time of year, diners will enjoy special multi-course menus, cleverly priced $20.16 specialty items and prix fixe meals from area eateries—all while experiencing Pittsburgh’s eclectic neighborhoods and taking in the city’s dining landscape without breaking the bank.”

Find more exciting events to attend at NextPittsburgh and let us know what event you’re looking forward to the most!