Built By Doing

David Alan, Stan Kleja
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

What does it actually take to build a successful business? Built By Doing explores the real stories behind entrepreneurship. Hosted by David Alan, founder of David Alan Clothing, and Stan Kleja, the show pulls back the curtain on the journey of building a business. After starting his career in medical sales, David took the leap into entrepreneurship and built a custom fashion brand that styles professional athletes, celebrities, and leaders across industries - including clients like John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Each episode shares the lessons behind building something real.

  1. 4d ago

    Real Business Owners. Real Questions. Real Answers. (Q&A)

    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: how training customers to wait for sales kills your business - How to A/B test pricing without tanking your brand - The reverse-engineering method for setting profit margins (start from how much you want to make) - Why "six months ago" is always the right answer for when to hire - The exit interview strategy that stops you from losing your next good employee - Why David would pay for a mobile detailer to service his clients’ cars during fittings - The 5-year rule: if you haven't grown by year 5, something fundamental needs to change - Why it takes 90–120 days just for marketing to start showing results - How much money to have saved before you start — and why starting on the side is always the right move This is the second Q&A episode of Built By Doing. If you’re a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or thinking about starting something, these are the questions you’d ask if you had two entrepreneurs and a CPA in the room. Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, small business strategy, hiring, pricing, and building companies the right way. If you have a business question that you’d like us to answer on a future episode, send us a message on www.builtbydoingpodcast.com, or leave us a comment!

    Real Business Owners. Real Questions. Real Answers. (Q&A)

  2. Jul 20

    Everyone Told Me To Quit, 10 Years Later The Dream Came True

    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 business did. Inside this episode: - How selling candy from Gabriel Brothers at school taught David more than any business class - The necktie company, the failed startups, and why each failure led directly to the next opportunity - Why David's house — kitchen table, pool table, family room walls — became his first warehouse - How listening to podcasts about Phil Knight, the Whole Foods founder, and other first-generation entrepreneurs reprogrammed his mindset - Stan's music industry dream — from Grammy-winning studio to realizing it wasn't the dream he actually wanted - David Alan Dreams: closing down Grandview Ave for a fashion show, $500K+ donated, and the Children's Hospital kids who inspired it all - The September 19th fashion show at PPG Plaza for Casey's Clubhouse (Sean Casey, former MLB all-star), and next year's partnership with St. Jude - Why "every day is a Saturday" isn't a flex — it's the result of years of sacrifice most people never see - The practical advice: just start, take calculated risks, and stop comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20 This episode is for anyone who's ever looked in the mirror and thought "who am I to start something?" David's answer: you're exactly the person who should. Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, mindset, business growth, and building something that matters. Questions? Leave us a comment or send it to us on www.builtbydoingpodcast.com

    Everyone Told Me To Quit, 10 Years Later The Dream Came True

  3. Jul 13

    A Client Spent $12,000 at Midnight. Here's Why He'll Never Leave.

    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 lifetime client - How a $4 Amazon hanger cost David a customer on a $2,000 suit - What David took from Tilman Fertitta’s “Shut Up and Listen” — and why DAC was already doing all of it - The Audi mechanic video that instantly built more trust than 10 years of reputation - The 5-second rule at David Alan Clothing — if a customer waits longer than that at the door, it’s a problem - How a bad closet experience led David to launch an entirely new company The thesis of this episode: "experience means you care." If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or founder and you think your product speaks for itself — this conversation will change how you look at every interaction your customer has with your brand. Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, customer experience, business strategy, and building companies the right way. Questions about your own business? Drop us a comment or send us a private message at www.builtbydoingpodcast.com.

    A Client Spent $12,000 at Midnight. Here's Why He'll Never Leave.

  4. Jul 6

    The Real Reason Businesses Fall Apart When They Start Growing

    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 Hills before going national - How they rebuilt the entire hiring process after expansion failures - What they learned from watching other brands lose their edge - The one month mandatory training rule — and why it's non-negotiable - Why some locations are worth opening even if they just break even - David's top 3 and Stan's top 3 for scaling without losing quality If you're running a business with 5-20 employees and thinking about your next location, market, or major hire, this is the conversation happening behind the scenes at companies actually doing it. Subscribe for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building companies the right way. Questions? Leave us a comment or a submit a question at www.builtbydoingpodcast.com.

    The Real Reason Businesses Fall Apart When They Start Growing

  5. Jun 29

    How Smart Entrepreneurs Actually Use Debt

    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 evolved, why debt can be a powerful business tool when used strategically, and the costly mistakes entrepreneurs should avoid before signing their next loan. In this episode, you'll learn: • When debt makes sense—and when it doesn't • Business loans vs. lines of credit • How banks evaluate entrepreneurs • Personal guarantees and collateral explained • Why knowing your numbers changes everything • Cash flow mistakes that trap business owners • How to compare lenders and financing options • The hidden dangers of online lenders • Paying off debt strategically • Using debt to grow instead of simply survive • Building relationships with banks and financial partners • Lessons learned from scaling multiple businesses Whether you're starting your first company, expanding an existing business, or trying to better understand business financing, this episode offers practical advice and real-world experience from entrepreneurs who have lived it. Watch, subscribe, and follow Built By Doing for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, marketing, branding, finance, mindset, and execution. Questions about your business? Send us a message at www.builtbydoingpodcast.com, or drop us a comment.

    How Smart Entrepreneurs Actually Use Debt

  6. Jun 22

    Investors, Loans & Partnerships: How Smart Businesses Scale

    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 of operating agreements Why relationships matter more than money How David Alan Clothing approached growth and expansion Revenue vs. debt vs. private capital Why money only solves money problems—not process problems Lessons learned from borrowing money and paying off debt Scaling a business without sacrificing culture If you're an entrepreneur, small business owner, startup founder, or someone thinking about raising capital, this episode will help you think differently about growth and funding. Subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, marketing, branding, mindset, and execution. Have a question about your business that you'd like us to answer on a future episode? Send us a message at www.builtbydoingpodcast.com! (we'll keep your name and business name private)

    Investors, Loans & Partnerships: How Smart Businesses Scale

  7. Jun 15

    The Entrepreneurs Who Win Will Use AI

    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 been wondering how ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and other AI platforms can actually help grow your business, this episode provides practical insights and real-world examples from business owners actively implementing AI into their companies. Topics include: • AI for entrepreneurs • Small business automation • Business productivity • Marketing with AI • Hiring and recruiting using AI • Startup strategy • Leadership and technology • Business planning • Future of work • How AI is changing business forever Built By Doing is a podcast focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and the real-world lessons learned from building companies. Episode available everywhere and at www.builtbydoingpodcast.com.

    The Entrepreneurs Who Win Will Use AI

  8. Jun 8

    Small Business Q&A: Real Questions Every Business Owner Needs Answered

    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 you market a local business effectively? • What should every new entrepreneur know before starting? Whether you're starting a business, running a family company, or trying to grow an established brand, this episode is packed with practical advice, real-world experience, and actionable strategies.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Leave a comment or submit it through our website. www.builtbydoingpodcast.com

    Small Business Q&A: Real Questions Every Business Owner Needs Answered
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About

What does it actually take to build a successful business? Built By Doing explores the real stories behind entrepreneurship. Hosted by David Alan, founder of David Alan Clothing, and Stan Kleja, the show pulls back the curtain on the journey of building a business. After starting his career in medical sales, David took the leap into entrepreneurship and built a custom fashion brand that styles professional athletes, celebrities, and leaders across industries - including clients like John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Each episode shares the lessons behind building something real.

Information

  • Creator
    David Alan, Stan Kleja
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 David Alan Clothing
  • Show Website
    Built By Doing