The Pursuit of Meaningful Entrepreneurship: Nate DeMars on Building a Business You Actually Love

Send us Fan MailThe secret to success isn't about scaling at all costs—it's about still loving what you do 5, 10, 15 years in.In this episode, I sit down with Nate DeMars, the founder of Pursuit, a Columbus-based custom suit shop that started as a project in business school—and turned into a purpose-driven brand that suits people for life’s biggest moments.But this isn’t your typical startup story. Nate doesn’t chase venture capital, viral growth, or Shark Tank glory. Instead, he’s built a business on intention, integrity, and the wild idea that staying true to yourself might actually be the best strategy of all.We talk about what happens when your business starts to drift from your values, and how Nate course-corrected to build something that aligns with who he really is. Think: partnerships with the Columbus Crew, indie bands playing in the storefront, and a suit donation program that’s changing lives.Nate also gets real about navigating entrepreneurship in a dual-career household, the pressure to say yes to every “good” opportunity, and why going all in on community is the best marketing tactic in your toolbox. Nate’s story might just be the permission slip you’ve been waiting for—the one that says it’s okay to build a business that aligns with your passions, your lifestyle, and your definition of success. #TheKeriCroftShow #Entrepreneurship #PursuitSuitStore #ColumbusOhio #StartupStories #FounderLife