Say Yes First, Figure It Out Later: Lessons in Grit, Growth, and Guts from Dave Kryszczak
Michael Pallozzi sits down with David Kryszczak, founder of Spartan Digital, to explore his inspiring path from teenage tech support to leading a thriving digital marketing agency. Despite being only 26, Dave’s journey spans entrepreneurial risk-taking, deep community involvement, and a remarkable personal story that includes classical music, shooting sports, and black bear hunting in Maine. This candid conversation unpacks the value of saying “yes” early and learning on the fly, and how Dave’s experiences shaped his success in marketing and leadership.
Tune into this episode to also learn:
- How early exposure to business and mentorship shaped Dave’s entrepreneurial confidence.
- The journey from fixing computers at 14 to running a national marketing agency.
- The importance of relationships, community involvement, and remote work culture in modern business.
- How Spartan Digital uses AI and balances tech with human creativity in the marketing industry.
What we discussed
[00:00:00] Dave shares his first entrepreneurial steps as a tech-savvy teen and his introduction to networking through local chambers.
[00:06:06] Landing his first web design client and teaching himself how to build websites.
[00:10:13] The evolution from freelance work to founding Spartan Digital and gaining major clients like SERVPRO.
[00:12:49] Balancing academics with entrepreneurship and finishing an MBA while growing a business.
[00:14:02] Dave’s hunting experience in Maine and what it taught him about discipline and focus.
[00:20:17] Lessons from hunting and business: the power of mentorship, preparation, and team support.
[00:23:10] Building team loyalty and Spartan’s commitment to long-term partnerships over vendor relationships.
[00:25:35] How AI fits into Spartan’s operations and the future role of creative professionals.
[00:27:38] Who Spartan Digital serves best and the key problems they solve for service businesses.
3 Things To Remember
- Confidence and relationship-building are cornerstones of lasting entrepreneurial success.
- Saying yes and figuring it out along the way can lead to transformative growth and opportunity.
- Building a strong team and culture is essential as your business scales beyond just yourself.
Memorable moments:
(00:06:20) “Do you build websites? That fast, I’m like, yep, gimme like five weeks. What’s your budget?”
(00:11:30) “Do I go to class or do I go to this chamber dinner to try to meet more clients?”
(00:19:13) “Even if I don’t shoot at anything, just to sit up there for 10 days and do nothing was such a pleasure.”
Useful Links
Connect with David Kryszczak: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkryszczak/
Connect with Michael Pallozzi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelpallozzihfm/
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