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A six-story building, a cigar lounge, a tasting room, and a guy everyone keeps calling Mario because he’s a plumber with a legendary mustache. That’s the scene as we sit down with Rick “Mon Jovi” and unpack how a Pittsburgh distillery and entertainment spot gets built from an idea into a place people actually show up for. The laughs come fast, but the business story underneath it is the real hook.

We talk Big Spring Spirits and the bigger vision: a multi-use venue with events, live music, and spaces designed for staying awhile. Rick explains how he got pulled into the investment, why the “spirits” side mattered first, and how the building becomes a home base to grow the brand. If you’re into Pittsburgh nightlife, craft distilleries, or local entrepreneurship, you’ll hear how community and experience can be as important as the bottle itself.

Then we get personal about long-term small business grit. Rick breaks down starting a commercial plumbing company at 21, building credibility when you’re young, and why the trades can be the most underrated form of job security. We also hit Pittsburgh pride, family culture, networking habits, cigar talk, and a surprisingly practical point about what makes craft vodka and gin taste smooth: the water source.

If you enjoy real conversations with big personality and real lessons, subscribe, share this with a Pittsburgh friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

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https://www.thedrawingroompgh.com/