44: Building an ads business around faith with Pray.com's Steve Gatena

In this episode of Taking Inventory, Daniel Druger interviews Steve Gatena, the CEO and founder of Pray.com, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Gatena shares his background, from his early businesses in online video and aerial production to the personal tragedy that inspired him to create Pray.com, a digital destination for faith-based content. He discusses the app's core features, including daily prayers, Bible learning resources, and sleep content, and how Pray.com partners with celebrities, pastors, and investors. The conversation explores the trend of declining church attendance alongside the rising consumption of faith-based content, Pray.com's approach to serving this market, and the potential for advertising. Gatena also touches on the complexities of managing multiple revenue streams and the company's expansion into international markets, highlighting the unique opportunity to partner with brands that align with the values of their audience.