In this episode, I was lucky enough to interview Jason Vego, co-founder and CEO of Bevz, a digital platform helping mom-and-pop liquor and convenience stores go online and manage inventory.

Jason shares how growing up with an entrepreneurial father planted the seed for his own ventures, including an early attempt to build software for dog groomers. The failure taught him valuable lessons about understanding an industry from the inside. That insight became crucial when launching Bevz with his childhood friend—who happened to own multiple liquor stores. Together, they identified a major gap in tech support for small, independent retailers in this space.

Jason explains how Bevz evolved from a DoorDash-style marketplace into a more comprehensive inventory and sales management platform tailored for small convenience stores. While the ultimate goal is full automation of ordering and stock tracking, early adoption hinged on solving what store owners cared about most: increasing revenue through online sales. With over 700 stores on board and a clear focus on serving the underrepresented independent retailer, Bevz is chipping away at a multibillion-dollar problem.

Let’s hear from Jason Vego on why he’s prioritized real-world impact over personal branding—and how listening to customers (not just one savvy co-founder) helped shape their strategy in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Bevz
https://bevz.com/


Jason Vego's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvego/

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 Brett Tiagwad, founder and CEO of Elevated Angles.

Brett shares his unconventional path from finance to drone media. After a challenging personal journey, including recovery and the loss of his mother, Brett found solace and inspiration in flying drones. What started as a therapeutic hobby quickly became a business idea when he realized the visual impact drone footage could have. With no prior experience in photography or videography, he taught himself editing through YouTube, gradually transforming Elevated Angles from a side hustle into a thriving creative production company.

Brett details the early struggles of breaking into industries like construction and public sector work, where initial expectations didn’t match market realities. After experimenting with different niches, he leaned into his strengths in visual storytelling and editing, positioning his company as a drone-focused media agency catering to brands that value high-quality content. Now expanding his team to meet growing demand, Brett emphasizes the importance of owning your local market and scaling with purpose.

Join Brett Tiagwad on his journey as he highlights the power of persistence, adaptability, and building a brand rooted in both passion and skill in this episode of The First Customer!


Guest Info:

Elevated Angles LLC
https://www.elevatedanglesllc.com/

Email
info@elevatedangles.com

Brett Tiagwad's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-tiagwad-a9a23b79/

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 Christian Espinosa, founder and CEO of Blue Goat Cyber.

Christian shares his experience of growing up in poverty with an unstable home life, seeking structure in the Air Force, and eventually transitioning from a successful freelancing career to launching his first company, Alpine Security. Christian explains that boredom and the desire for growth pushed him to scale his business, which involved convincing long-time clients to trust his growing team. Despite early challenges, he successfully built and sold Alpine to Cerberus Sentinel during the pandemic—a decision driven by burnout and what he felt were signs from the universe.

After the sale, a serious health scare prompted Christian to reassess his path. Recovering from blood clots and reflecting on how a medical device saved his life, he founded Blue Goat Cyber with a mission to secure medical technologies. Drawing on earlier industry experience, he strategically niched the company to focus on medical device cybersecurity, guided by FDA mandates and a clear understanding of the market’s pain points. Christian talks about reactivating old contacts, leveraging past partnerships, and using tools like StoryBrand to refine messaging and positioning.

Discover Christian Espinosa's story of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose in solving critical problems that matter in this episode of The First Customer!

Guest Info:
Blue Goat Cyber
https://bluegoatcyber.com

Christian Espinosa's LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianespinosa/

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/