The Pittsburgh Test was a monthlong experiment conducted in July 2021 to see what it would be like to return to my hometown after decades in the New York City area.
Here’s what happened:
HOW IT STARTED
Hello, Again.
Yeah, that’s me. Little Joey had no idea then that he’d someday leave Pittsburgh to work at The New York Times and Time magazine. And that he’d leave those plum jobs to start his own business — a storytelling company of all things — that works with clients around the world.
Little Joey had no idea that in about 50 years a deadly virus would force everyone to stay inside their houses. And that when everyone was allowed to go back to their old routines, many wouldn’t want to. A year in isolation brings life into focus in ways little Joey could hardly imagine.
So here we are. After two decades in and around New York City, Joe Zeff Design is moving to Pittsburgh for the month of July.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PITTSBURGH TEST
Day 1: Joe Zeff Design moves into its popup office at Bakery Square.
Day 7: Pittsburgh looks more familiar.
Day 19: The billboard.
Day 19: A radio interview on The Bubba Show.
Day 20: JZD makes it official, renting an amazing office at One PPG Place, five minutes from the amazing home in the South Side Flats the Zeffs agreed to purchase days earlier.
Day 28: A meeting with the mayor, under the aforementioned billboard.
Day 30: The Pittsburgh Test results are revealed on the Pittsburgh Technology Council website.
HOW IT’S GOING
The Pittsburgh Test opened my eyes to what’s happening in my hometown. So much has changed, yet so much remains magically familiar. I can’t wait to be a part of it.
Joe Zeff Design, Inc., will be relocating from the New York City area to Pittsburgh in October.
Joe spoke with Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council about his decision to return home.
Inc. magazine column: “What I Learned From Moving My Business to Pittsburgh for a Month”
Learn more about JZD
Guest essay 1: Pittsburgh Business-Times
Guest essay 2: Pittsburgh Business-Times
Socks that rock.
The Pittsburgh Test started at Bakery Square . . .
. . . resulting in a permanent move to One PPG Place starting in October 2021.
LET’s CONNECT.
Let’s have coffee. I don’t even drink coffee, but I’ll pretend. Either way, it would be great to connect.
P.S. Little Joey also had no idea that he’d someday be bald. WTF?
