Support Local Women-Led Small Businesses | Pittsburgh

Welcome to the Pittsburgh #BravaCityGuide! A directory that features women-led small businesses you can support, explore, shop, learn from, and share!

We encourage you to support the women-led small businesses in your own backyard below. Whether you’re craving a sweet at your favorite bakery, a surprise staycation, a discovery about how to pay it forward, or a new staple for your wardrobe, this women-led small business Pittsburgh directory will provide you with information about these resilient businesses and how you can connect with them.

Feel welcome to share with your community to help increase word of mouth, and tell us your favorite women-led small business in the comments. Want to add your business to the directory? Submit it here!

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FOOD, RESTAURANTS, & AGRICULTURE

The Butterwood | Ally Slayden
Currently offering local pick-up and delivery!
Website: thebutterwoodbakeconsortium.com
Phone: 412-781-0218
Follow on IG: @TheBustterwoodBakeConsortium

Photo provided by The Butterwood.

Carmella’s Plates and Pints | Carmella Salem
Offering take-out with special hours for Monday-Friday from 1 pm to 9 pm and Saturday-Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.
Website: carmellasplatesandpints.com
Phone: 412-918-1215
Follow on IG: @CarmellasPlatesAndPints 

Rolling Pepperoni | Katt Schuler
Pepperoni and pickle rolls as well as pepperoni and olive rolls are available through Rolling Pepperoni’s web store. They are donating 10% of all online sales to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank until the crisis is over.
Website: rollingpepperoni.com
Follow on IG: @rollingpepperoni

The Pittsburgh Juice Company | Naomi Hoppel
Now offering contactless deliveries up to 25 miles from their Lawrenceville location, where they are also maintaining regular hours for pick-up orders.
Website: pittsburghjuicecompany.com
Follow on IG: @pittsburghjuice

Photo provided by The Pittsburgh Juice Company.

Tupelo Honey Teas | Danielle Spinola
Available for online orders and weekly dinners. Social media has updates for walk-up orders.
Website: tupelohoneyteas.com
Follow on FB: @TupeloHoneyTeasPittsburgh

Photo provided by Tupelo Honey Teas.

Twin Brook Dairy | Randi Marchezak
On-farm pick-up available from 12-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
Website: twinbrookdairyco.com
Phone: 724-344-1422
Follow on FB: @TwinBrookFarm

HEALTH, BEAUTY, & WELLNESS  

Evolve Modern Hairdressing | Beth Vermillion
Website: evolvemodhair.com
Follow on IG: @evolvemodernhairdressing

Inhale Pittsburgh Yoga Studio | Janna Hockenjos
Use discount code TOGETHER for 50% off their classes they stream on Facebook.
Website: inhalepgh.com  
Follow on IG: @InhalePGH

Pure Forme Training | Rebecca Brown
Health coaching is now available in addition to fitness coaching.
Website: pureformetraining.com
Phone: 425-614-8546
Follow on IG: @pureformetraining

Nailchíc mani•pedi bar | Dana Jones
Just launched a new incentive program called “Chic Cash” which allows clients to earn rewards during the closure to be used when they reopen. Additional information is available on their website.
Website: nailchicpgh.com
Phone: 412-377-7071
Follow on IG: @nailchicpgh

One Point One Yoga | Megan Flinn

They may be closed indefinitely, but there are still plenty of options to practice on with their 1.1 at Home platform at https://onepointoneyoga.uscreen.io/ and live streaming classes all offered on their website.

Website: onepointoneyoga.com

Follow on IG: @onepointoneyoga

RETAIL

FoxBlossom Co.
Website: foxblossom.com
Follow on IG: @foxblossomco

Juju | Leslie McAllister
Shop is available for curbside pickup. Coming soon: virtual shopping and virtual tarot readings!
Website: shop-juju.com  
Follow on IG: @juju_pgh, @ceremonial_gtg, @ask.a.hag

Photo provided by Juju.

love, Pittsburgh | Monica Yope
Free shipping on orders of $50 or more!
Website: lovepittsburghshop.com
Follow on IG: @lovepittsburghshop

Photo provided by love, Pittsburgh.

Luna Boutique | Erin Szymanski
Website: luna-boutique.co
Follow on IG: @lunasewickley

Moop Shop | Wendy Downs
Just celebrated their 13th birthday and are keeping their birthday sale going. Shop now with code: LUCKYTHIRTEEN for 15% of your order. Pre-orders available for bags.
Website: moopshop.com
Follow on IG: @MoopShop

Mustard & Relics | Kate Kelley
Website: mustardandrelics.com
Phone: 412-545-3386
Follow on IG: @mustardandrelics

Skelton Jewelry | Samantha Skelton
For custom work please email skeltonjewelry@gmail.com
Website: skeltonjewelry.com
Phone: 412-930-0831
Follow on IG: @skeltonjewelry

Style Truck | Jackee Ging
Looking for private parties or fundraisers
Website: mystyletruck.com
Phone: 412-204-6101
Follow on FB: @styletruck

TRAVEL

Pack Up + Go | Lillian Rafson
A travel agency that plans getaways around the U.S. The catch? Your destination is a surprise until you depart. Just launched Staycations! You can be a tourist in your hometown and stay in a hotel for one or two nights.
Website: packupgo.com
Phone: 412-448-2700
Follow on IG: @PackUpGo_Travel

CREATIVE BUSINESS & SERVICES

Dress for Success Pittsburgh | Calynn Abdullah
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Dress for Success Pittsburgh team is available to provide essential client services. Women are encouraged to follow Dress for Success Pittsburgh on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for professional development resources, support, and motivation as they begin a new career journey or shift to a new normal during this time of uncertainty.
Website: pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org
Phone: 412-201-4204
Follow on IG: @dfspgh

LISH Creative | Alisha Cohen
Recently launched hourly consulting calls and a photography and styling course. Opening a photo print shop soon.
Website: lishcreative.com
Follow on IG: @lishcreative

Point Line Projects | Sarah Rafson
They work with a wide range of clients—from individuals, to firms, to institutions—to elevate their publication and exhibition projects with specialized skills and experience.
Website: pointlineprojects.com
Follow on IG: @point.line_projects

Saralynn Créatif | Sara Lynn Ruth
Mention you learned about Saralynn Créatif from the ‘“Brava Podcast’” and she’ll provide you a complimentary Discovery Session and Brand Analysis!
Website: saralynncreatif.com
Phone: 504-500-2005

ARCHITECTURE

Mary Barensfeld Architecture | Mary Barensfeld
Website: barensfeld.com
Follow on IG: @mbarensfeld

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Want to support other business state-wide? Click here to see more women-led small businesses in Pittsburgh. Do you own or know a women-led small business in another city? Fill out the questionnaire and share with us as we continue expanding to support other cities! Celebrate your favorite women-led small business on social with #BravaCityGuide.

Creating a Following with Travel Influencer Adaleta Avdić

Today we go behind-the-scenes with global social media travel influencer Adaleta Avdić as she shows us how to create a following and community. With more than 700,000 followers, she’ll break down which platforms she thinks have the most opportunity for growth, how to continue to engage your audience, and how to build your brand’s following, or even your own - all by keeping it real on social media. Tune in now on iTunes, Spotfiy, and below to get inspired!

SHOW NOTES:

Adaleta is originally from Bosnia and came to the U.S. in the early 90s. From the moment she arrived, she always knew that she was going to have to work hard to make things happen. She watched her father pursue his dream and it inspired her to follow her own dream to develop a career that she loved (1:52.)

Before she jumped into her blogging career, she waited for a sign. That sign? In the fall of 2018 there were two trip opportunities she was offered but all of her PTO (paid time off) at her corporate office were used (5:00.)

She loves Instagram and has loved it since day one. The focus on photos and the visual aspect of it is what she finds so inspiring and motivating (6:32.)

Many influencers started blogging without the idea of making money and just because it was their passion. Adaleta strongly recommends going into this career path ONLY if you have a passion that is unique to you, and to not mimic anyone else. That’s where she finds her own competitive advantage (9:45.)

Follow your passion, and let social media complement your work (11:34.)

3 words that describe Adaleta’s branding: feminine, realistic and sassy (12:45.)

Adaleta is an advocate of giving back to her community. She makes sure to always do giveaways to give back to her followers. Responding to direct messages and comments are key to building a community (17:21.)

Trying to beat the Instagram algorithm? She thinks that posting consistently helps to increase engagement. She also thinks posting video is key to beating the algorithm (19:25.)

“Whatever your product is…when it comes to business you have to take the emotion out of it and roll with the punches…or you won’t succeed. ”

— Adaleta Avdić on resilience when building a brand

Adaleta works to give back to children, their environment, and their education. She works with a local non-profits in her community and Girls, Inc. She also is passionate about paying it forward (26:05.)

What’s next for Adaleta? She just created a necklace with Sequin jewelry and is interested in continuing styling with brands in the future. She also is interested in acting! I can’t wait to see her on the big screen (27:56.)

Interested in following Adaleta’s next steps? Check out her site here and be sure to follow her on Instagram.

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Thank you readers, to tuning into the Brava Podcast. If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes! 

What from our conversation inspired you today? What do you hope to hear next? Tweet or message us on Instagram @BravaPodcast to tell us what you want to hear, even if it’s your own story! 

Transforming Communities with Female Founder Collective’s Director of Community + Brand Partnerships Elisabeth Leonard

“When women join together to enact change, ANYTHING can happen.”

Today I’m sitting down with the woman behind the Female Founder Collective. Meet Elisabeth Leonard. A dynamic woman that has partnered with fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff to lead a network of businesses led by women, that support women. Tune in for advice on how to start and transform your own community, learn what women inspire her along the way and much more!

SHOW NOTES:

Elisabeth is calling in from…Santiago, Chile! She works remotely by using email, Slack, Facetime, GoogleDrive and more to keep in touch with her team at Rebecca Minkoff (1:25.)

She worked with Rebecca for almost 6 years and started with the company as a temporary receptionist. It turned into her career! After her first 3 months in her temp position she was hired as Rebecca’s Executive Assistant. From there, she continued to work with the PR and Events team. Together they always had a shared passion of supporting female founders and women. For instance, be sure to check out their Superwomen Podcast as just one of the many examples of how the are creating change (3:30.)

Elisabeth focuses on community management and the growth of the Female Founder Collective and works alongside Rebecca as a mentor and friend (5:25.)

“Every female entrepreneur is fighting for the same thing. Recognition. Rather than fighting against each other we need to cheer each other on and support each other! ”

— Elisabeth Leonard

One of the greatest practices that the members focus on is collaboration. They do this by sharing resources, ideas, and experiences (9:15.)

Interested in joining the Female Founder Collective? You can apply here. Once you are part of the community, you can receive the FCC seal. Elisabeth adds that there are a lot of ways to support female founded organizations through sharing love on social media, mentoring, shopping and purchasing in their shops, and more (13:30.)

On being a receptionist, Elisabeth shares that you learn so many different things because you are the first and last face people see each day. She built relationships with so many people in the office from different departments. It gave her an advantage to understanding where she wanted to see her own career go. It was one of the most incredible experiences she was given (17:00.)

Elisabeth’s mom and Rebecca Minkoff are her role models as they always encourage her to always strive for happiness and never to stop asking questions (20:34.)

In the near future, the Female Founder Collective is hoping to continue pushing the FFC seal to change shopping behaviors. They also hope to continue growing the collective and encourage everyone to buy and support women-owned businesses (21:58.)

Ready to join the Female Founder Collective? Check it out here.

Excited to learn more and follow Elisabeth? Follow her story now.

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Thank you readers, to tuning into the Brava Podcast. If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes! 

What from our conversation inspired you today? What do you hope to hear next? Tweet or message us on Instagram @BravaPodcast to tell us what you want to hear, even if it’s your own story! 

Leading Yourself Well With Marissa Nash

Today on the Brava Podcast I am so pleased to introduce you to Marissa Nash. Marissa is a Certified Professional Life Coach and Team Coach that specializes in helping YOU to make an impact whether it be within your own organization, your community, with your family or the world.

In today’s episode we discuss everything from how to avoid burnout, how to incorporate self-care into your routine, and even how to perform your own life audit! So use this next 20 minutes with Marissa as your own personal time with your new life coach. She’s got your back because she knows you have big plans for your future. Let’s get started!

SHOW NOTES:

Marissa’s company, The Vine Collective, is a great resource for leaders, teams, and women everywhere! Her background stems from being a yoga instructor. She now coaches women in the corporate and entrepreneurial space (1:15.)

A lot of her work that she integrates into her practice is by John Maxwell and how to lead well (3:34.)

Looking to create a real impact on others? Marissa believes you can do this by having a positive influence on the people, the environment, and the cause you are most passionate about. It’s creating change that is sustainable. It means to leading with wellness and wholeness and working to inspire others to be the best they can be (5:12.)

Marissa’s Leadership Growth Plan is a roadmap for women to plan their growth for their life and leadership. Check it out here! (6:00.)

On Sunday nights, Marissa plans out her workouts for the week because that is her priority. It creates self-accountability as she plans to succeed in the week for what matters most to her. What’s your priorities? Share in the comments below! (8:00.)

Curious on how you can perform a life audit? You have to know where you are before you know how to make change in your life. She walks women through a 7-step process beginning with your why and your purpose on what you want to do. Continue tuning in to hear all of the 7 step process in her interview (9:34.)

Looking to create change? Marissa would suggest getting clear on what matters to you. Then, identify what gaps there may be in your community. Lastly, take action and remember, it’s ok to start small (11:37.)

Marissa is very inspired by Brené Brown because she is focused not only on strategy but also the heart (13:11.)

Need help with focus? She recommends writing 3 things each morning of different tasks you want to accomplish (14:45.)

Let’s talk books that inspire! Marissa loves the “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth” by John C. Maxwell and “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown, but via Audio! (16:55.)

Want to learn more from Marissa? She is starting her next Mastermind in the fall! Be sure to check it out here.

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Thank you readers, to tuning into the Brava Podcast. If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes! 

What from our conversation inspired you today? What do you hope to hear next? Tweet or message us on Instagram @BravaPodcast to tell us what you want to hear, even if it’s your own story! 

Celebrating Life’s Moments with Entrepreneur Kristen Ley

Today on the Brava Podcast we’re going to hear from a powerful, creative entrepreneur and CEO who turned her passions into a thriving business by simply celebrating life’s moments. I’m SO excited to introduce you to Kristen Ley, CEO, er, actually I should say, “Chief Confetti Maker and Founder” of Thimblepress. Tune in below to get real with Kristen and her start-up story, learn more about differentiating products in a competitive space and advice on how to make your dream a reality.

SHOW NOTES:

Interview Kristen Ley is a party in a podcast! Can’t wait to get started with our interview (1:40)

Kristen has been creating art as early as she can remember. Her parents have always been very encouraging with everything Kristen has gone for despite her family coming from a medical background. She went to school for art and design. She graduated with a BFA in business and graphic design and a minor in marketing (2:40)

She started her career with an internship at Matchbox Studios in Dallas and loved it (4:30.)

She remembers going to the library in Charleston, SC to learn the ins and outs of how to start her business…from scratch! Her and her colleague hustled to launch and sustain their own marketing and branding business (5:00.)

Then she was offered a full-time offer to be a full graphic design artist that was closer back to home and she took the job. After about a year she quickly realized she was not wired for a 8 to 5 job (7:15.)

She used her letterpress as a creative release for years before making it part of her future career. During Christmas of 2012 she was convinced by her friend to start an Etsy and have a craft show (8:00.)

In 2013, she decided to make it official and launch Thimblepress, LLC inspired by her grandmothers and mother who influenced Kristen’s crafting (11:15.)

Thimblepress comes from the deep desire to want to encourage, lift up others, and show others how they can be present and celebrate friends and family (13:00.)

Kristen used to have 20 employees. Over the years she learned a lot about herself and her personality and realized a larger team is not for her. She’s very interested in the enneagram and it also helped her learn more details about her personality and how she can lead in the best way possible. Now she has a very lean team and she loves it both for her business and her wellness (17:45.)

When it comes to competitors, she keeps herself in her lane and focuses on her customer’s happiness and loving them like they are family and friends (20:00.)

“My strategy? Do what’s best for me!”

— Kristen Ley, CEO and Founder of Thimblepress

Looking to launch your own product? Kristen wants you to know that you are already amazing and a success no matter what. Allow opportunities to flow into your life and jump, even if you are afraid. Believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect others to believe in your business? (21:56)

Stay in touch with Kristen’s next steps and business ventures! She recently launched KristenLey.com to be open and honest with her own business. Check it out! Be sure to check out Thimblepress too and celebrate others along the way!

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Thank you readers, to tuning into the Brava Podcast. If you like the show please leave a review on iTunes! 

What from our conversation inspired you today? What do you hope to hear next? Tweet or message us on Instagram @BravaPodcast to tell us what you want to hear, even if it’s your own story!