From the Biggest Little City in the World comes a podcast about Pioneers. Not the covered wagon types, the modern day Pioneers exploring new territory in economic development, entrepreneurship and personal development. Join your host, Doug Erwin as he explores what it takes to build resilient communities, companies and lives in this wide ranging podcast.
Doug is former serial entrepreneur turned economic developer and executive coach. He is committed to growing Northern Nevada’s startup and technology ecosystem and supporting entrepreneurs as they embark upon their own journeys. Doug’s work at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada has helped change the perception of Reno and lay the foundation for future generations of entrepreneurs to thrive in the region. He was a member of Entrepreneurs Organization for 13 years, helped launched and curate TEDx Reno for its initial 3 years, sat on the board of the Discovery Museum and currently serves as a commissioner on the Reno Arts and Culture Commission.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasrerwin/
Jim Belosic calls himself “a dumb software guy that thought I could outsmart manufacturing.” He needed one-off parts for his car projects, got about 100 “no quotes” from local shops, and decided the problem was worth solving himself. He talked his wife into a $750,000 laser over two margaritas, and SendCutSend was born as a hobby that only needed to cover the machine payment.
Recorded live at Reno Startup Week 2026, Jim and host Doug Erwin, Chief Innovation Officer at Northern NV Now, cover:
– Why low expectations are the best way to start a business
– The surprise Boeing order that told him this was more than a side project
– Candy in every box: designing a customer experience you’d want yourself
– Core values that actually work: speed in all things, and flexibility
– What breaks when you grow 100% a year (hint: toilets and power)
– Why “if you’re having trouble hiring, it’s your fault,” and training your own skilled workforce
– Stealing ideas from other industries: food-service packaging, cannabis-industry scales, healthcare compliance
– Bootstrapping for years, then raising $110 million on his own terms
– Why Reno is “magic” for a manufacturing company
– “Make it exist first, then automate it,” and the vision of making manufacturing accessible to everyone
Learn more about SendCutSend at sendcutsend.com and about Reno Startup Week at renostartupweek.com.
