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What was your favorite class/classes that inspired you to go into entrepreneurship?

Mike Reid: The classes that interested me in school were marketing, one of our electives at Perry, also math class. Those classes helped me understand the process of growing a business and what it takes to make a business work.

When was Eon founded, and why did you feel so passionately about creating it?

Mike Reid: Eon opened in the middle of the pandemic, October 2020. It was a process opening this. It was the middle of the pandemic... it was hard, but we made it happen.

Tell us a little bit about your business.

Mike Reid: Eon is located in Homestead, PA right on 8th Ave. The definition of eon is indefinite and very long. That is how long I want the Eon legacy to last. I want people to know this is for us (Pittsburgh and surrounding areas). If you want to have a good time, network, or fundraise, we're here for you and that's what Eon is. One of our community initiatives was helping the Homestead Borough purchase a K-9 officer. We also sponsor the community days in Homestead. Any organization in Pittsburgh looking to raise money, we're here for you at no cost. We love giving back, and we're excited to work within our community.

What is the biggest lesson you've learned since starting your business?

Mike Reid: The biggest lesson I've learned from being in business at Eon is every day is different. Every day we open the doors, things change. People change. The weather changes, so even with the ups and downs, it's just understanding that everything is going to always evolve. The biggest challenge for starting a business is finding a location. Location is everything. When you start a business you have to understand the community you're building within. The biggest thing I had to do was reach out to the community to understand what they wanted and how they wanted us to operate. That was probably the hardest thing I had to do. Reaching out to the leaders and the managers to let them know what my vision was and where I was going with Eon, and I wanted them to be a part of us.

What is your goal for the next five years?

Mike Reid: Over the next five years, I would love for Eon to grow beyond Pittsburgh and branch out. I look forward to continuing to work within our communities. Since we do a lot of fundraisers for different organizations throughout Pittsburgh, I would like for us to continue to grow in that space.

What message do you have for PPS students who want to get into business?

Mike Reid: If I was a student in high school or college, I would pursue my dreams. You have to start from the bottom. You have to understand what comes with the business you're interested in and every position before you even open it up. Also, you should know that the PPS network is everywhere. Anywhere you can go in Pittsburgh or outside of Pittsburgh, we are there. Pittsburgh Public, students, and graduates, we're everywhere. So, learn who we are, network, get out there, and see what we can do together.