Built By Doing

Most of our October goals were failures. The business still grew. Both of those things are true. In this episode of Built By Doing, Stan Kleja and I review our October business goals and set our goals for November. We get into opening a new location, signing leases, holding vendors accountable, and why we stopped assuming people will do what they said. We also talk about hiring slow and firing fast, turning a missed deadline into better systems, using technology and AI to work on the business instead of in it, and chasing a new market we never planned to...

What do business partners actually talk about when no one else is in the room? In this episode of Built By Doing, Stan Kleja and I flip the script and ask each other the questions we usually skip. We get into business partnership, expanding to new locations, hiring ahead of growth, and what it really costs to open before you're ready. We also talk about running multiple businesses at once, managing a team, sharing equity with the people who help you grow, and how our thinking on marketing and advertising has changed over the last ten years. If you're an...

Some months are great. Some months are tight. Ten years in, we still have this conversation, and right now we're having it again with our new Columbus location. In this episode of Built By Doing, Stan Kleja and I talk about how to navigate tight cash flow months as a business owner and what to cut first when money gets tight. Earlier this year we hit a stretch that should have been our best season. Slow holiday sales, a slow winter, thousands a month in snow plowing, about $10,000 stuck in tariff refunds, and software we were paying for but not...

In 2017, my W-2 from my own business was $7,800. The next two years weren't much better. At one point I was seriously ready to sell my house and live in a van just to keep the business going. In this episode of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan answer one of the most common questions in business: how much should you pay yourself as a business owner? We start with the number most people skip: what you actually need to live, not what you want. If you need $100,000 a year and the business only makes $100,000, the business can't grow. It...

Nothing in business goes exactly according to plan. The longer I do this, the more I realize that's not the exception — that's entrepreneurship. In this episode of Built By Doing, we're reviewing our September business goals, what we accomplished, what we missed, what went completely sideways, and what we're carrying into October as we continue growing David Alan Clothing and our other businesses. September gave us one of our biggest wins ever: our annual David Alan Fashion Show raised more than $100,000 for Casey's Clubhouse in one night. But at the same time, other parts of the business were anything but sm...

Your business can generate revenue and still have serious problems underneath the surface. In this episode of Built By Doing, we're answering real questions from business owners dealing with the kinds of problems that don't always have an obvious answer. One owner did $410,000 in revenue last year but only took home $38,000 — while two of his employees made more than he did. Is that normal when you're building a business, or a sign that something is seriously wrong? Another business owner is about to lose her top employee, who's leaving to start a competing company and already knows every client in th...

Do you have to become successful before you can start giving back? I don't believe you do. In this episode of Built By Doing, I'm looking back at ten years of David Alan Fashion Shows and why giving back became part of our business long before David Alan Clothing became the company it is today. The first Fashion Show started in 2016 almost by accident. I was raising money for the American Cancer Society's Real Men Wear Pink campaign, had a young clothing brand, knew a few professional athletes and WWE wrestlers, and thought: Why don't we put on a fashion...

Does entrepreneurship ever actually get easier? Year one is hard. Year five is hard. Year ten is hard. The difference is why. In Episode 28 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja break down how the challenges of entrepreneurship change as a business grows — from fighting to survive in the early years to learning how to lead people, delegate responsibility, manage multiple companies and decide which opportunities are actually worth pursuing. David looks back at the earliest years of building David Alan Clothing, when every dollar mattered. He shares what it was like putting roughly $60,000–$70,000 in business expenses on pers...

What happens when you set ambitious business goals and reality has other plans? In Episode 27 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja revisit the goals they publicly set for August and give an unfiltered assessment of what worked, what failed, what got delayed, and what those setbacks actually cost. The biggest miss? The new Columbus location still isn't open. Construction delays, permitting issues, architectural decisions and unexpected problems have pushed the timeline back, while rent, payroll, utilities and other expenses continue adding up. But August wasn't all losses. The team built a new sales dashboard that's changing how...

What happens when your business starts working, but suddenly you become the bottleneck? In Episode 26 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja answer real questions from entrepreneurs and small business owners navigating the challenges that come with starting, running and growing a business. From building systems and learning to delegate to securing business financing, opening a second location, managing seasonal cash flow and improving customer retention, this episode tackles the real-world problems business owners face once an idea becomes an actual company. David and Stan break down questions from business owners across plumbing, manufacturing, Pilates, home services, meal...

Entrepreneurship looks exciting when you're watching the wins. But what happens when you're exhausted, overwhelmed, burned out, and the work still has to get done? In Episode 25 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja get candid about one of the hardest realities of building a business: staying disciplined when the motivation is gone. David shares one of the wildest stories from the early years of David Alan Clothing, a high-pressure WWE project involving Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, KFC and a Colonel Sanders suit that went very wrong before it went right. With his reputation on the line, David...

When you start a business, pursue an entrepreneurial idea, or try to grow something that doesn't fit the traditional mold, everyone seems to have an opinion. Some advice can change the trajectory of your business. Other advice can create doubt, unnecessary complexity, wasted money, or convince you to give up before you've really started. In Episode 24 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan break down how entrepreneurs should approach business advice: who deserves your attention, when expert advice actually applies to your situation, and why blindly following advice from social media, friends, other entrepreneurs, or even professionals can be...

Nothing goes smooth. Ever. In Episode 23 of Built By Doing, David and Stan open a new monthly series: every month they lay out exactly what they're working on across the David Alan businesses, then come back the next month and grade themselves on what actually happened. This month: the Columbus store was supposed to open in June. It's August. The landlord sent the wrong address, the internet contract collapsed, and an HVAC unit that should have taken two months took six. They planned for delays, built in an extra month of buffer, implemented lessons from the last opening, and STILL...

A med spa owner asked when she should hire help. David's answer: six months ago. That's the energy of this entire episode, real business owners asking the hard questions, and David and Stan answering from experience, not theory. In Episode 22 of Built By Doing, David and Stan field questions from business owners across different industries; from pricing and profit margins to hiring, outsourcing, employee retention, and how long it really takes before a business makes money. Inside this episode: - Why David Alan Clothing has never run a single discount or promotion — and never will - The furniture store trap: ho...

David's first business was selling creepy crawlers for 25 cents at school. He got sent to the principal's office. Decades later, he's built an expanding successful brand that's donated over half a million dollars to charity. That arc, from getting in trouble for hustling in first grade to running David Alan Clothing and David Alan Dreams, is the whole point of this episode. It all started with a dream. In Episode 21 of Built By Doing, David and Stan go deep on the one thing that separates entrepreneurs who make it from the ones who quit: the dream that started before the...

David once met a client in need at 11pm on a Monday night. The gentleman spent $12,000 in two hours. He’s been a client for life ever since. That’s not a sales story. That’s an experience story. In Episode 20 of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down why the experience you provide matters more than the product you sell — and how the smallest details (a bad hanger, a missing text update, a 6-hour service window) are silently killing businesses that think they’re doing everything right. Inside this episode: - The $12,000 midnight fitting that turned a stranger into a lif...

David is expanding David Alan Clothing from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Nashville, Charleston, and beyond. This isn't a "how to scale" episode. They're in the middle of it right now — negotiations, construction delays, hiring people willing to relocate their families, figuring out what happens when your founder isn't in the building every day. In Episode 19 of Built By Doing, David and Stan pull back the curtain on the hardest part of business growth that most entrepreneurs don't see coming: protecting the experience that made people choose you in the first place. Inside this episode: - The real reason they tested North Hi...

Debt has a bad reputation. But is debt actually the problem... or is it how entrepreneurs use it? In Episode 18 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in business: debt. From business loans and lines of credit to credit cards, private equity, personal guarantees, bank financing, and cash flow management, they share the real lessons learned from building and expanding multiple successful businesses. David opens up about the early days of David Alan Clothing, when debt wasn't a growth strategy, it was survival. Together, they discuss how their perspective has...

Should you take investors? Borrow money? Bring on partners? Or fund your business yourself? In Episode 17 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan break down the realities of business funding, private investors, bank loans, equity partnerships, and what every entrepreneur should understand before giving away ownership in their company. From self-funding and reinvesting revenue to navigating private equity, expansion, and strategic partnerships, this episode explores the advantages and tradeoffs behind every growth decision. They also discuss: When to use investors vs. bank loans Why equity conversations should be approached carefully How to evaluate business partners and investors The importance...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, hiring, productivity, and everyday business operations. Whether you're a small business owner, startup founder, executive, or entrepreneur, AI is quickly becoming one of the most valuable tools available. The conversation explores practical ways business owners can leverage AI for marketing strategies, business planning, hiring decisions, customer communication, visualization, creative work, organization, and operational efficiency. We also discuss the realities of AI replacing jobs, why adaptability and adding value will always matter, the limitations and costs of AI tools, and how entrepreneurs can begin using AI today without becoming technology experts. If you've...

In this special Q&A episode of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja answer real questions submitted by listeners from entrepreneurs preparing to launch their first business to experienced business owners facing challenges with marketing, pricing, profitability, cash flow, hiring, and growth. Topics include: • How do you know if your business is actually profitable? • What should you spend on marketing? • How do you get your first customers? • How do you price your products or services? • Should you write a business plan? • How do you improve cash flow? • How do you stand out from competitors? • When should you raise prices? • How do...

As businesses grow, one challenge never goes away: finding the right people to step up, take ownership, and help move the company forward. In this episode, David Alan and Stan discuss leadership, employee development, company culture, hiring challenges, accountability, motivation, and what separates top performers from everyone else. They dive into the realities of building teams, developing future leaders, coaching employees, setting expectations, and why effort, attitude, and personal growth often matter more than experience alone. Whether you're a business owner trying to build a stronger team, a manager looking to develop employees, or a professional hoping to advance your...

What happens when your business outgrows its original customer? In Episode 13 of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja dive into one of the hardest realities of entrepreneurship: raising prices, evolving your business model, and understanding that not every customer or client is meant to stay with you forever. From David Alan Clothing’s early days selling custom suits for just a few hundred dollars to scaling a premium luxury brand experience, David shares the mindset shifts, fear, and business strategy behind increasing prices while improving product quality, customer experience, and long-term growth. Stan brings the accounting and operational si...

What does real business growth actually look like? In Episode 12 of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down one of the biggest misconceptions in entrepreneurship: the idea that more revenue automatically means a healthier or more successful business. From profit margins and overhead to scaling too quickly, hiring too soon, opening multiple locations, social media comparison, and defining your own version of success, this episode explores the difference between the perception of growth and the reality behind it. They discuss: Revenue vs profit and why both matter Why growing too fast can actually hurt a business The dangers of...

What does it actually take to expand a business successfully? In Episode 11 of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down the real-world process behind expanding a company into new markets, opening additional locations, building systems, hiring teams, and scaling without losing the culture that made the business successful in the first place. With David Alan Clothing actively expanding into Columbus, Nashville, and other major metro markets, this episode gives an honest behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, risks, financial decisions, and operational systems required to grow a modern business. They discuss: How to know when your business is ready to...

Small businesses power nearly half of the American economy—but most people don’t realize just how important they are. In this episode of Built By Doing, David and Stan break down eye-opening small business statistics, entrepreneurship realities, and what it truly takes to build, grow, and sustain a business over time. From startup survival rates and small business employment numbers to the sacrifices entrepreneurs make behind the scenes, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges of business ownership, leadership, growth, hiring, timing, customer service, and scaling a company. They discuss: Why 99.9% of U.S. businesses qualify as small businesses The...

In Episode 9 of Built By Doing, we break down one of the most misunderstood and most important parts of building a successful business: marketing, branding, advertising, and how to actually attract customers. From startup mistakes and early marketing experiments to digital advertising, brand identity, customer psychology, and long-term growth strategy, this episode gives an honest look at what business owners need to understand before spending money on marketing. We discuss: • How to market a business when you’re just starting out • The difference between branding vs marketing • Why many businesses waste money on advertising • How to identify your target audience and ideal...

In Episode 8 of Built By Doing, we dive into one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of running a business: cash flow, stress, and what it really takes to stay alive in the early stages of entrepreneurship. This episode pulls back the curtain on the reality of building a business from the ground up. From collection notices, maxed-out credit cards, and utilities being shut off to navigating reinvestment, debt, and growth, this is a raw look at the moments most entrepreneurs don’t talk about. We break down: The difference between cash flow and profit (and why it matter...

In Episode 7, we break down one of the most important and often overlooked foundations of any successful business: culture and standards. From hiring and onboarding to daily operations and client experience, your culture isn’t just what you say, it’s what your team lives out every day. And in many cases, your lowest-performing or least-aligned team member becomes your true standard, whether you realize it or not. We dive into: Why culture starts at the top—and how leadership sets the tone The difference between culture vs. standards (and why both matter) How one misaligned team member can impact your e...

In Episode 6, we dive into one of the most overlooked keys to growth—mastering your craft and staying focused on what actually moves the needle. Early on, it’s easy to chase every idea, every opportunity, and every direction. We’ve been there. Some worked, some didn’t—but over time, we realized that real progress comes from committing to your lane and getting better at what you do best. This episode breaks down: Why trying to do everything slows you down How to identify and commit to your core strength The role of experimentation in the early stages Why “figuring it...

Let's break down the real-world tension between gut instinct and data-driven decision making in business. Through honest stories and firsthand experiences, from early financial risks and missed opportunities to current expansion plans, David & Stan explore how different decision-making styles can both succeed and fail. David shares how trusting his instincts has helped uncover opportunities ahead of the curve, while Stan highlights the importance of data, timing, and minimizing risk. They dive into the challenges of making high-stakes decisions without perfect information, the risks of acting too quickly or waiting too long, and how fear, timing, and external noise can influence...

David Alan and Stan Kleja break down the real role of goal setting in business—and why most people get it wrong. They explore the difference between setting ambitious goals and setting realistic, actionable ones, and how aligning your daily actions with long-term vision is what actually drives progress. From early-stage “gut-driven” decisions to more structured, data-backed strategies, they share how their approach to goal setting has evolved over time. The conversation also dives into measuring progress, adjusting goals as you grow, understanding your break-even point, and building alignment across teams, partners, and systems. They highlight how goal setting isn’t just a...

In this episode of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja dive into one of the most misunderstood parts of entrepreneurship: the gap between expectations and reality. From early startup optimism to the lessons that only come with experience, they unpack how founders often imagine rapid growth, big investments, and instant traction—while the real journey is filled with pivots, setbacks, and hard-earned perspective. Using real conversations & examples from their own businesses, they discuss what actually happens behind the scenes when building a company, why early assumptions can be misleading, and how long-term success requires patience, adaptability, and resilience. If...

In this episode of Built By Doing, David Alan and Stan Kleja recap an incredible week on the road visiting MLB Spring Training camps and the NFL Combine. The trip wasn’t just about styling these clients, it was about relationships, networking, and continuing to grow the brand. David shares behind-the-scenes insight into how opportunities like this develop, what it’s like connecting with athletes and organizations at the highest level, and how years of relationship building continue to open new doors. They also discuss the realities of networking, the importance of showing up in the right rooms, and how mome...

David Alan and Stan Kleja have spent years working together through the realities of entrepreneurship — growth, setbacks, pivots, and everything in between. In this first episode of Built By Doing, they share how their professional partnership began, why they decided to launch the podcast, and the philosophy behind the show: honest conversations about what it actually takes to build and run a business. This episode sets the foundation for the series — exploring the lessons, mindset, and real-world experiences that shaped their companies and continue to guide their decisions today. If you’re building a business or navigating entrepreneurship, this conversation offers...