David Salinas is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and one of the people helping reshape Connecticut's startup and innovation scene. In this episode, we sit down with David to talk about the unconventional decisions, risks, and vision that led him to buy a building in New Haven for just $1—and what he saw in the city that others didn't.

We dive into how David transformed that opportunity into District, a thriving entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in New Haven, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up. From entrepreneurship and real estate to investing, failure, taking massive risks, and betting on Connecticut, David shares the behind-the-scenes story of how he built his businesses and why he continues to invest in the state.

We also talk about what it's actually like to be an entrepreneur in Connecticut, why New Haven has so much untapped potential, how to recognize an opportunity before everyone else does, and the lessons David has learned from building multiple companies.

In this episode:
• How David bought a New Haven building for $1
• The story behind building District New Haven
• Why he decided to bet on Connecticut
• The realities of being a serial entrepreneur
• Building businesses from the ground up
• Taking risks when the outcome isn't guaranteed
• Real estate, startups & investing
• What David sees happening in New Haven next
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
• The mindset behind turning an unconventional idea into a major business

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I have been WAITING to film this one. Today I'm sitting down to talk about two things I get asked about constantly — what is The Love List, and yes, I moved back to Connecticut. We're getting into all of it — the business, the move, the why behind everything. Grab your coffee, get comfy, and let's catch up!

For more on The Love List, please apply at jointhelovelist.com. We offer matchmaking services and events throughout New England, with new cities launching soon. We encourage everyone to apply, because if we have a mutual match in a city, we will absolutely connect you!

Grab your swag on Chief Swag Officer with the code CHIEFSWAG10!

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DARE TO BE FEARLESS IS BACK.

And this time, we're not holding anything back. Answering your questions about building this matchmaking company, the age demographics and services we offer, and how many couples have fallen in love so far!

Between scaling Chief Swag Officer and growing The Love List, life has been nonstop. I've relocated to Los Angeles to build both companies simultaneously — while still spending a ton of time in Connecticut meeting so many of you in person, hosting events, and expanding The Love List into new destination cities like Boston.

This season is about what it really takes to build multiple brands at once. The wins. The chaos. The travel. The pivots. The behind-the-scenes decisions no one sees.

If you've ever wanted to build something big while juggling everything else in your life — this is for you.

Apply for The Love List and jointhelovelist.com!

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In this episode of Dare to Be Fearless, we're getting real about what it actually takes to be an entrepreneur. From behind-the-scenes challenges to unexpected breakthroughs, I'm sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about building a business — and giving you a life update along the way.

Whether you're just starting out or deep in the grind, this episode is packed with honest lessons, mindset shifts, and encouragement to keep going (even when it's messy).

If you've ever questioned whether you're cut out for this path, this one's for you.

Use code VIDCON on chiefswagofficer.com for a discount off of your first order!

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This might just be one of the funniest and most fun episodes we've ever recorded. A few months back, I was filming another pizza review in my home state of Connecticut when a guy named Tony unexpectedly jumped into the shot and shouted, "Get this girl a job!" That moment went viral—and the internet instantly fell in love with him.

Thanks to one of you, someone tracked him down and connected us. Now, he's officially a guest on the podcast! I'd call Tony a true Connecticut legend—and in this episode, we dive into everything from growing up in this underrated state to what makes the people here so real and unforgettable.

If you're new here: I'm Alexa Curtis, a content creator and mental health advocate born and raised in Connecticut. From building my career as a teen entrepreneur to connecting with changemakers across the country, I've always believed there's something incredibly special about this place—and this episode is proof.

Whether you're from Connecticut or just curious why it's so close to my heart, you're in for a ride. Let's get into it.

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Shop Chief Swag Officer here with the code CHIEFSWAG10!

This week, one of my best friends Nick joins the show to discuss one side hustle that I'm particulary intrigued by: vending machines. Can this $17K investment make you into a millionaire?

Buy Chief Swag Officer mic covers at chiefswagofficer.com with the code CHIEFSWAG10 for a discount off of your first order!

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Chief Swag Officer is alive on our website chiefswagofficer.com and thank gosh it is because Etsy closed down our store! It's been a chaotic week in business working to get our shop fully optimized online so people know where to buy us. But we went from 20+ sales a day to not even 2 (because of Etsy's SEO) so I've learned a lot about business this week.

PSA to aspiring and current founders: you always need a website.

Support Chief Swag Officer on our website and social media, and follow Alexa here! Use the code CHIEFSWAG10 for a discount off of your first order.