As a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience, Joe builds businesses by developing business managers along with systems that support those managers. He’s very proud of the many young professionals he has mentored during his career. Joe’s diverse business experience from food manufacturing to rock climbing gyms, gives him a unique perspective and ability to creatively assess every opportunity. He loves the process of creating a business and turning a concept into a profitable reality.

Before launching Snaggletooth Goby, Joe cofounded First Ascent, a Chicago-based climbing and fitness chain. From 2013 to 2022, his partners, investors, and himself grew the business to seven locations in multiple markets. Each location was 20,000 to 50,000 square feet in size. They achieved this rapid growth by partnering with lenders, landlords and key vendors to identify and develop only the best locations.