Andy Bozzo, co-founder of Tablet Command, shares his journey from firefighter to tech entrepreneur. Tablet Command is a software company that provides incident management, response notification, and situational awareness tools for public safety agencies across the United States and Canada.

The idea for Tablet Command was born out of tragedy. In 2007, Bozzo's fire department lost two firefighters in the line of duty. This incident highlighted the need for better incident management and personnel accountability tools. Inspired by mobile gaming technology, Bozzo and his co-founder Will Pidgeon set out to create a digital solution to replace the analog methods traditionally used in firefighting.

Developing the product wasn't without challenges. The team had to navigate the complexities of integrating with various computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems and overcoming resistance from IT departments skeptical of iOS-based solutions. However, their persistence paid off, and they eventually secured partnerships with major fire departments across the country.

Bozzo discussed the challenges of raising capital for a niche product in the public safety sector. Unlike consumer-facing tech startups, Tablet Command had a longer sales cycle and a more limited market. This made it difficult to attract traditional venture capital. Instead, they relied on friends, family, and investors who understood the value of their mission to provide initial funding.

Throughout the interview, Bozzo emphasized the importance of staying true to the mission of enhancing firefighter safety and effectiveness. He advised aspiring entrepreneurs in the public safety space to seek authentic, altruistic investors who understand the unique challenges of the industry.

Tablet Command continues to grow, with a focus on maintaining high uptime and responsive customer service. Bozzo, who still works as an active firefighter, sees this dual role as crucial in keeping the product aligned with the needs of first responders.

As the company looks to the future, they aim to expand their presence across more fire departments in the U.S. and Canada, always with the mission of creating life-saving software at the forefront., purpose, and customer-centricity, it’s a touchdown that will keep scoring for decades.

Connect with Tablet Command: https://www.tabletcommand.com/

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Brian Kelly has been a firefighter for over 20 years. But when COVID-19 hit and he found himself with more downtime, he discovered a new passion: sharing his love of food and cooking over social media. What started as a hobby making cooking videos on TikTok has now turned into a thriving business and side hustle for this entrepreneurial first responder.

Kelly first got into social media just for fun. Approaching his 40th birthday, he started watching cooking videos on TikTok during his time off from teaching fire classes and other firefighter duties due to COVID-19 restrictions. He decided to try it out himself and was surprised when he quickly started gaining followers. Companies even began reaching out asking him to showcase their products.

While he already owned a consulting company called Kelly Fire and Emergency Services Consulting, the social media thing was new and fun. And it was bringing in money to help fund his new hobby without having to tap into his savings. Soon "East Coast Kellys" was born as a DBA.

Kelly takes the "good, bad, and real" approach with his social media, showing the human side of cooking outdoors. He'll showcase when recipes fail to turn out as expected - not everything looks perfect like on Food Network in real life.

Showing authenticity has helped him connect with an audience that wants realistic content. Followers can relate to the everyday person who may burn some eggs or doesn't have the most flawless lighting or editing.

Over time, Kelly has refined his business model with a focus on sponsored content and brand deals. He reviews products related to outdoor cooking and negotiates contracts for video promotions. The brand exposure he delivers through platforms like TikTok and Instagram is valuable for smaller businesses targeting consumers who want transparency from influencers.

While his social media business continues to take off, Kelly still has a "day job" as a full-time firefighter and fire marshal. He says the key is being willing to go wherever momentum takes you. The same conviction firefighters have to extinguish every last ember translates for him into conviction for making his business work.

Kelly has needed to learn so much - editing video, optimizing platforms, negotiating deals. But his drive to keep improving comes from the pride he takes in whatever he puts his name on. Just as in the fire service, integrity and trust are paramount. As he continues to juggle all these passions, Kelly relies on support from his family to make it all possible.

The world of being a social media influencer is very different from his decades in firefighting. But first responders interested in entrepreneurship can draw encouragement from Kelly's story. With hustle and authenticity, you can build a whole new career and life for yourself if you put in the work.

Connect with East Coast Kelly’s: https://linktr.ee/eastcoastkellys

Connect with our team:

· Sam Massa, CEO & 24/48 Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammassa/

· Chelsea Lassen, Marketing Director & Producer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-lassen/

· Spencer Carter, Videographer: https://www.instagram.com/spencervisual/

· Marina Hunter, Graphic Designer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-hunter/

· Allison Saxon, Marketing Specialist: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabithasaxon/

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Russell had been working as a firefighter for over 13 years when the idea for his business was sparked. It all started when his captain gifted the crew some hose koozies.

Within days, Russell took a leap of faith, buying his first embroidery machine to see if he could turn firehose material into koozies and hats himself. Working out of a bedroom in his home turned "arts and crafts area," he taught himself embroidery and slowly formulated some initial product ideas like hose hats.

The hobby was paying off, as Russell remembers the first day his side business covered their mortgage payment. His wife had jokingly referred to his tinkering as "arts and crafts time," but now those arts and crafts were generating essential household income.

As Russell started getting larger custom orders that pushed his home setup to the limits, he borrowed money from his business partner to invest in better equipment. This allowed him to scale up and fulfill jobs like custom hats for the local Greenville Triumph soccer team.

The new machinery also led Russell to connect with an embroidery expert named Lori. She voluntarily took Russell under her wing, teaching him the digitization process that made hats easier to produce at scale. With her guidance, his products improved as he honed in the optimal embroidered patch shape and size.

After years of growth, West Broad Apparel was at a crossroads, needing more attention than Russell's limited spare time. He decided to leave his firefighter job to focus on the business full-time. This transition gave him breathing room operationally, though he found he missed the camaraderie and satisfaction of firefighting.

Within 6 months he made the call to return to a new department, balancing his passion for the work with his drive to keep expanding the business. This balance enabled the next stage of progress for his company and personal fulfillment.

The road from side hobby to full-time business owner has had its share of highs and lows. But by taking risks, investing in relationships, and applying the dedication inherent in firefighting, Russell built West Broad Apparel into an internationally recognized brand rooted firmly in serving the fire service community. Though it wasn't the path he originally envisioned, his entrepreneurial journey reflects the spirit and work ethic of firefighters everywhere.

Connect with West Broad Apparel: https://www.westbroadapparel.com/

· Website: https://williamskey.com

Connect with our team:

· Sam Massa, CEO & 24/48 Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammassa/

· Chelsea Lassen, Marketing Director & Producer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-lassen/

· Spencer Carter, Videographer: https://www.instagram.com/spencervisual/

· Marina Hunter, Graphic Designer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-hunter/

· Allison Saxon, Marketing Specialist: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabithasaxon/

Follow our podcast on social:

· TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the24_48podcast?lang=en

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the24_48/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-24-48-podcast-by-hiviz-leds/

· YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8fHLgmlsaUbQp-0l_U1qWZx0EdlQDRCB

If you want to help us support first responder-owned businesses, help spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and leaving us a 5-star review!

Thank you for listening!

“The 24/48” is brought to you by HiViz LED Lighting