Founder Files 1 — Shanna Greathouse, pigybak

What do you want people to feel the moment they interact with your business?

Relief. Like, finally someone gets it. Homeownership is overwhelming, finding reliable help is frustrating, and coordinating projects feels harder than it should be. Pigybak should feel like your neighborhood showing up for you — making things easier, more affordable, and honestly… a little more fun.

What’s a “you have to hear this” moment from a customer that reminded you why you started?

We had a homeowner say, “I’ve needed this done for two years, but I didn’t know who to trust or where to start. Seeing my neighbors doing it too made me finally do it.” That’s the whole point. Unlocking work that should have happened already, just by making it easier and more social.

Why did you start this business?

I’ve spent my career building systems, scaling operations, and working on complex problems. But when it came to my own home, something as simple as finding a contractor felt broken. There’s this massive gap between homeowners who need help and contractors who need consistent work. That gap is also the gap between living in your dream home and neighborhood — and feeling stuck. Pigybak exists to bridge that gap by using community as the unlock.

Where were you in life when you first thought, “This might actually work”?

When we saw neighbors organically grouping together for projects and contractors getting excited about efficiency instead of chasing one-off jobs. That’s when it clicked. This wasn’t just a tool — it was a new behavior.

What did you not expect about becoming a business owner?

How much of it is emotional. You think it’s strategy, execution, and metrics. It is. But it’s also resilience, managing uncertainty, and continuing to show up when things don’t go the way you planned.

What does a typical day look like for you right now (even if it’s chaotic)?

There’s no such thing as typical. It’s a mix of product decisions, contractor outreach, partnerships, investor conversations, and jumping into the weeds when needed. Some days I’m talking strategy, some days I’m literally helping onboard users. It’s controlled chaos. I’m also balancing building the community of founders around me as I go, championing for others, and paying the bills — plus my work in universities advocating for new grads to build and grow their own companies.

What’s the hardest part to balance: time, money, family, energy, visibility, something else?

Energy. There’s always more to do, more opportunity, more people to talk to. The challenge is making sure you’re putting energy into the right things at the right time.

What’s a behind-the-scenes task you spend a surprising amount of time on?

Refining messaging. Making sure people instantly understand what Pigybak is and why it matters. When you’re building something new, clarity is everything.

When things get tough, what keeps you going?

The belief that this needs to exist — and the people. The homeowners, contractors, and community members who are already seeing value. That’s fuel.

What’s a lesson you learned the “hard way” that you’d tell another woman starting out?

You can’t wait for perfect. You have to launch, learn, and iterate fast. The market will teach you more than any plan ever will. That means you have to be okay inevitably disappointing people at first — but with the promise that you’ll continue to get better.

What are you most proud of since starting (a milestone, a risk, a change you made)?

Building something that people genuinely want, and seeing real community engagement around it. Also, the traction we’ve built without a traditional marketing budget speaks volumes.

What’s a moment you realized, “Okay… this is real now”?

When people who didn’t know me personally started downloading Pigybak — including thousands of miles away.

What makes Northeast Ohio special to you?

The diversity and quality of life. From arts to education, you will always find ways to grow and learn — while also being able to sample some of the nation’s best food and parks systems.

What’s a Northeast Ohio hidden gem you love?

Our history. I am writing a screenplay about Laura Mae Corrigan, the epitome of female empowerment in the booming Cleveland era of post-industrialization. Midwest woman takes on corporate, then takes on Nazis. Outcome? Three medals of honor across three countries, and thousands saved. All while in heels.

If someone is reading this and wants to support you today, what’s the easiest way?

Download Pigybak, start a project, or invite your neighbors. Even just sharing it with your community makes a huge difference.

An insider tip we need to know:

If you’ve been putting off a home project, chances are your neighbors are too. Coordinate. You’ll save money, get it done faster, and make it easier for contractors to say yes. If you don’t know your neighbors, download Pigybak, add to your wishlist, then share the app with your local Facebook group or Nextdoor. Our AI — Oinkers — will do the work for you.

A non-negotiable in your daily routine:

Movement. Whether it’s a workout or just getting outside, it keeps me grounded and sharp.

If your business had a theme song or vibe, what would it be — and why?

“Pursuit of Happiness” by Kid Cudi. The belief that the good life is closer than we think, if we’re willing to chase it — together.