Pgh Dreamer's Pod

Abbey O'Brien is an office manager for a small CPA firm and the creator & teacher of SHOOP, a fun spin on hoop dance and fitness. SHOOP blends abdominal toning, leg and glute strengthening, low impact but intense cardio dance, balance, and coordination improvement to upbeat African dance music. If you can waist hoop, you can SHOOP!

Dr. Judy Masucci holds a PhD in Genetics & Development and previously worked as a scientist before transitioning into business and marketing for biotechnology companies. During this period, she began advocating for breastfeeding and mothering needs through the development of A Mother's Boutique. Judy then recreated the business as Levana Bratique, located in Wexford which is just north of Pittsburgh. Levana specializes in hard to find sizes of bras and generally boosts and 'lifts' women in the area - hence the name 'Levana'. Levana is also the Pittsburgh Chapter host of I Support The Girls, a non-profit that provides bras and menstrual products to women in need.

Megs Yunn is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Beverly's Birthdays, which provides meaningful birthday celebrations for children experiencing homelessness and families in need. Since 2012, the organization has supported thousands of birthdays, and the organization has grown to offer a variety of celebration-based programming. They have partnered with over 100 social services agencies and 100 low-income schools within Allegheny County. They are also a contract provider with Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Leah Lizarondo is the co-founder and CEO of 412 Food Rescue, which works with food retailers to prevent surplus food from going to waste. Transported by a growing network of volunteers, 412 Food Rescue directly transfers food to nonprofit partners that serve those who are food insecure. In 2021, they delivered over 20 million pounds of food to the Greater Pittsburgh region!

Dana Bannon is a stylist and owner of Pageboy Salon and Boutique, located in Millvale, just northeast of the city of Pittsburgh. Pageboy prides itself on creating a comfortable and friendly environment for customers and clients, offering a range of stylists, curated beauty goods, and massage.

Kate Zarvis is the owner of Manikure, a top-rated nail salon in Pgh, owner of Kure, a modern day spa located in Lawrenceville, and a salon coach. As a coach, Kate helps salon owners grow from employees to entrepreneurs.

Check out Kate's services:

Jessica Graves is the founder and CEO of Una Biologicals, located in Lawrenceville. Jessica created a shop & community within Una Biologicals by developing products that nourish the body & lift the soul as well as mentoring youth and giving back to numerous non-profits.

Check out Una Biologicals:

Louise & Sarah Silk are a mother & daughter team and the creators and owners of SilkDenim. SilkDenim is a sustainability initiative that makes Arts You Can Use by recycling materials into individually crafted objects. They create one-of-a-kind wearables & accessories for their Southside shop as well as accept commissions, utilizing customers' fabric & vision. Louise also runs SilkQuilt and Sarah is an actress & Feldenkrais instructor.

Tierra Thorne is a social worker and the CEO & founder of Blanket & Board, an award-winning event planning company that provides luxury picnics and catering for special events. Blanket & Board's mission is to connect people through outreach, creating safe spaces for folks of all backgrounds, and fostering conversation & mindfulness among the community.

KD Meucci is an elementary school teacher & educational leader, the creator Franklin Bedtime Stories, and the founder of Happy Apple Consulting. Listen to her inspiring story to find adventure in every day!

Check out the links below for more info:

Dr. Cindy Zurchin is a motivational speaker, trainer, author, coach, consultant, and owner of Cynthia's School of Dance. Cindy holds a doctorate degree in Education Leadership, is certified in the "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and "Leading Change", as well as Mindfulness, Chair Yoga, and Yoga for Children. She has written several books, including The Whale Done! Series and Ballerina on Wheels.

Check out Cindy's services:

Hailey Corton is a license massage therapist since 2006. She has shared her talents at the best day spas the city of Pgh has to offer! She has also worked with pro-athletes, taught as an adjunct professor at the Pittsburgh Technical College, and is a Registered Yoga teacher. She recently started her own business, Wexford Medical Massage, which includes targeted massage therapy for numerous health conditions such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, TMJ, and more.

Mojoyin Abolarin is the founder and designer at JoJo's shoes, a modern woman's designer shoe store located in Sewickley, north of Pittsburgh. Jojo's Shoes have been featured in Harper's Bazaar, Weekly Style, and more.

JoJo's Shoes:

Kelsey Kelley is a nationally recognized aerial artist and competitor and worked as an instructor/performer for Cirque du Soleil. She is an active participant in 48-hour Film Projects, is the co-owner of Iron City Circus Arts, and the artistic director of Iron City Aerial.

Check out more in the links below

Kelley Costa is the founder and owner of Churn, a homemade ice cream and coffee shop with 3 locations in the Pittsburgh area. Kelley's incredible story and motivation have enabled successful physical stores, distribution to markets, and franchising opportunities.

Check out Churn:

Rickia is a fitness enthusiast and dance entrepreneur in the Pittsburgh area. She works with all ages in a number of capacities and has been named a Legacy Arts Project artist, a premiere advocate at the Be Healthy and Smart Initiative community, a previous Resident Artist at the KST Theater, and a Lead Teaching Artist for K-Theatre Dance Complex. She teaches dance to children and college students at Dance Junction & the Propel Schools and CCAC, respectively. Rickia has mentored youth through self advocacy, self love and self esteem workshops as well as advocated for women with group fitness and nutrition education programs.

Check out Rickia's Services:

Sarah Just is a certified yoga instructor, a DONA trained doula, a social media marketing manager for the Local 412 Podcast, Greensburg Live, IronRock Tap House, Yough River Brewing, and more, and the creator & owner of the Space GBG.

Check out Sarah's services below

Jenny Sines is a 500-hour Hatha and 200-hour Vinyasa certified yoga instructor, a singer, and the creator of Rivertown Yoga Collective. She collaborates with other musicians in the area to develop unique sounds and offers private & group yoga instruction.

Check out Jenny & her services:

Rivertown Yoga Collective on Instagram: @rivertownyogacollective;

Bethany is the owner and primary choreography of Element Dance, which is based in the Carnegie borough of Pittsburgh. She is also the founder of Manifest Dance Workshop.

Check out her services below:

Anna is the founder and director of Allegro Dance Company and the host of The Dance Floor Podcast. In an effort to fully understand the heritage and culture of Italian Dance, Anna has traveled and captured beautiful, historic information that she shares through dance. She also has recently released a documentary and memoir encompassing these ideas.

Check out Anna & Allegro

Marissa is an experienced literary and special education teacher, and the Founding Director of Open Up Pgh, an organization that provides inclusive classes for people of all ages in both yoga and improv in the Pittsburgh region. They specialize in teaching movement and mindfulness practice that center people living with disabilities.

Check out everything Open Up Pgh has to offer & donate to this worthy cause:

Jacklyn is one of the co-owners and creators at Songbird Artistry, a unique gift shop located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Songbird Artistry provides a space for independent artists to showcase their wares; they also produce their own items and teach public classes. They are a beautiful, inclusive space for budding artists.

Songbird Artistry was voted the 2021 Best Women-Owned Business of Pittsburgh!

Check them out and be sure to stop by:

Mary Robinson is the owner of Bowers School House, a Preschool and Learning Center located in Venetia, PA, southwest of Pittsburgh. Mary utilized her design firm and construction management background to open and staff a highly knowledgeable group of educators for children ages 3 and up. As a Keystone Star 4 program, Bowers School House continues to be widely respected and a staple of the community.

With her medical background, Alea has transitioned her healing soul vision to personal well-being through movement. Alea Renata Lewis is the founder and creator of Alea Renata Dance. She provides a wide variety of dance and fitness for all ages. She is also a wonderful friend and celebrated member of the BaMFaM, our sister company BaM Choreography's volunteer dance group.

Check out her offerings below:

Jessica Mascara is a former elementary school teacher and the creator and owner of Live, Laugh, Play and Learn, located in Rostraver Township, southwest of Pittsburgh.

Laura is the executive director of Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, which has a mission of making the Pittsburgh area more inclusive and welcoming to all generations. Within this organization, Laura has garnered nearly $1 million dollars in grant support, managed a coalition of more than 130 organizational partners, and has engaged nearly 2000 residents. She is also a TedX speaker and has been named on of Pittsburgh's 40 under 40.

Erika is the creator and photographer for Erika Banks Photography and Phusion Marketing & Photography, both based out of Greensburg, PA.

Check out her services and offerings in the links below:

Jen is a preschool teacher, and the creator, primary teacher, and owner of The Dance Loft in Charleroi, Pennsylvania. 

The studio offers classes for ages 2 and older in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, character, and lyrical. They also offer open adult dance and fitness classes on a regular basis.

Check out The Dance Loft services and offerings in the links below:

Susan is a 15+ year PA State Licensed Esthetician & the creator and owner of Q Beauty Studio.

Check out Susan’s services and offerings in the links below:

Aubrey Worek is a transformation specialist, a TV fitness expert, and the owner of FitnessEnvi.

Check out Aubrey's services and offerings in the links below:

Katie Hart is an event coordinator, makeup artist, and the owner of By Hart Designs. 

Check out Katie's services and offerings in the links below.

Facebook & IG: @ByHartDesigns

Jenly Deiter is a stunning circus arts performer and assistant director of Iron City Aerial. She is also an aerial instructor and co-owner of Iron City Circus Arts. Check out Jenly and all of her studio offerings through the links below. Join the circus!

Find Jenly and ICCA here:

Alicia Delmastro (aka DJ EESH) is a local Pittsburgh DJ, a community outreach specialist, an influencer, and a self-proclaimed Hills Carnival survivor. Besides DJing weddings, restaurants, and bars, DJ EESH helps plan and provides the music for many philanthropic events, focusing on youth services, addiction help, humane societies, and lots more.

Find DJ EESH and her events here:

Barbara Brutt is a published author, an aerialist, a lead digital content specialist, a local influencer, and a self-proclaimed sugar connoisseur.

Find Barbara and her books here:

Lindsay is an emerging Pittsburgh artist, creator of The Starry Messenger, Punk & Pie, and the Storybook Circus. She specializes in STEM, literacy, and circus arts as a way to promote children's education.