Clawing Back: TJ Pitre's Journey to Success

TJ Pitre is the Founder and CEO of Southleft, LLC, a front-end application design and development agency based in New Orleans. With over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, he has grown Southleft into a multimillion-dollar agency, partnering with global brands such as IBM, Google, Caterpillar, and PetSmart, as well as community-driven organizations—all without relying on traditional sales or marketing methods. Before founding Southleft, TJ held prominent roles, including Director of Internet Front-End Development for Martha Stewart Living and web developer for Emeril Lagasse's restaurant group. In this episode… Growing up in poverty can shape a person's outlook in profound ways. For some, it creates limiting beliefs; for others, it becomes fuel for ambition. But how does one break free from generational cycles of hardship to build a thriving business in the competitive world of technology? TJ Pitre found his escape in art, which led him down a winding path of freelance graphic design, web development, and ultimately entrepreneurship. Along the way, he worked with some of the biggest names in media, including Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart, honing his skills in front-end development. With encouragement from mentors and family, TJ launched Southleft, building an agency that bridges the gap between design and development while serving high-profile clients. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews TJ Pitre, Founder and CEO of Southleft, LLC, about his inspiring rise from poverty to business ownership. TJ discusses his early creative pursuits, his career working for Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, and the leap of faith that launched Southleft. He also touches on growing up without financial stability, the pivotal role of mentors, and how he built long-term client relationships.