【63】An Inspiring and Resilient Entrepreneur@Pittsburgh

In January 2013, Michelle Barabas donated 5^th Street School building, which she had purchased and been revitalizing since 2008, to the Borough of Donora. She purchased it for the price of $8,500 and spent over $35,000 on the renovations. Michelle intended to transform it into a living market as well as a nonprofit to assist local residents in raising their property values. She had a lot to tell as an entrepreneur, as well as a person who is full of ideas and ambitions.

In 2008, she graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology with a degree in Visual Communications only to find that the market crash months before was leading to major layoffs in corporate graphic design and advertising departments nationwide.

She started an apprenticeship on a 10-acre green farm and got immersed into horticulture. At the same time, she was also actively seeking an investment where she could utilize the $10,000 she had saved from her educational loans. That is the essence of entrepreneurship, they are always pursuing the next thing. Barabas is indeed an entrepreneur. You know it the moment you meet her.

When she saw this school building in Donora on the Howard Hanna website, she felt this was her opportunity. With her business plans from college in hand, she called the realtor and within 41 minutes, her bid on the building was accepted. The endeavor did not turn out as planned but with her optimistic and kind nature, she will also tell you that those lessons she learned from this journey turned out to be so valuable that they ultimately led to what she is proudly doing now in Pittsburgh.

Her business ideas were to construct a vertical market within the school so that the building could be run as a living market. The day she started the revitalization was when her troubles began. 

Firstly, know thy neighbor. Michelle’s school sat adjacent to a neighbor who disliked the fact that the vacant property was finally purchased. This was because the new ownership assumed by Barabas made the neighbor’s parking on her property illegal. The neighbor started to file complaint after complaint to the local authorities stating that Barabas’ revitalization was posing a risk to the air quality and safety of the neighborhood. In reality, the dumpster at the entrance of the school building (legally on Barabas’ property) was blocking where she liked to park on the school property. However silly the complaints were, annoyed local authorities made Barabas’ revitalization inconvenient and eventually impossible. 

Secondly, Barabas put herself and her fiance’ at the time on the title of the building, so when Barabas’ fiance betrayed her, a legal battle had to ensue to get the property under her name only. That incidence was not just financially consuming but simply exhausting to Barabas who only wanted to create something meaningful. 

Thirdly, there was one last episode. Barabas finally said “Enough is enough”. The neighbor never really stopped fighting Barabas and the local officials finally had enough as well. One day the working crew showed up and there were “Condemned” signs on every door. At the time she purchased the school, Michelle was told by the Code Enforcement officer that the property was not condemnable after inspection.  The problem was she couldn’t go back in time and there was no paper record of what the first officer had told her.  That’s when she decided to donate this property to the City of Donora, get away from the headache, and start something new and positive in Pittsburgh where she is originally from.

Her entrepreneurial pursuit in Pittsburgh to help people of all ages start and grow small businesses was not a simple one to say the least. This made me think a famous Chinese saying that “God will make you work very hard and come near despair before you are chosen for a noble mission.”

Her business endeavors range from working with artists to help them build promotional materials and ultimately earn a living doing what they love, to working with youth to enhance their professional  and entrepreneurial education from a very young age, and to working with NPOs to bring different empowerment programs to more people with a desire to make a better life for themselves across the U.S..  For a person who worships simplicity and clarity, you might be appalled by Barabas’ various titles and responsibilities in many programs. Don’t worry, you are not alone. I was appalled and wondered how she could possibly manage to do so many things at one time and deal with all the obstacles that seem to be there each step of the way.

Yet she did it all. Not only she has the elegancy to enjoy her victory, but most importantly she has the composure to tackle dismay. In 2012, her fundraising money from an event she hosted in Market Square was stolen by a streetman who happened to be at the right place at the right time; Her sponsorship money was stolen by partners who didn’t hold integrity in front of profit as a decent organization under U.S. law should do; There was even a conflict with her original organizational name and she had to swallow the bitterness and reincorporate during her third year in business.  Each and every time, she coped with it, stood tall and strong, and handled each adversity with more poise than the last.

Now her incorporated NPO, the Art Resource Teaching Society Inc. includes many business branches that suit her ambitions. She is also a Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Event Planner, and the VP of Klauscher Architects. Her for-profit passions allow her the luxury of donating her time to her NPO. This approach may not be the one most entrepreneurs would choose but this is Barabas’ journey. She fights to prove that with ideas and perseverance, anyone can make their dreams a reality.

As of October 2013, she expanded her youth entrepreneurship program into a new neighborhood in Pittsburgh. At the same time, her work with artists in both Pittsburgh and Florida also continues. In addition, she is about to simplify her organizational structure for expansion since Google for Nonprofits has denied her usage of Google products as a result of having a fiduciary vs. her own 501(c)3 status. Simplicity is always a good thing to strive for.

When writing this story about Barabas, I have been thinking how fortunate I am to know her. Just like I want my little sister, who has had a business plan posted on her bedroom door since before she even graduated from high school, to know her one day, I want myself to be reminded of this inspiring and resilient entrepreneur who has been doing everything to pursue her dream as a creator. If you got inspired reading this article… even just a little, please share it. As Michelle would say, “What good is inspiration if we keep it all for ourselves?”

P.S. Where we always met in Pittsburgh was a neighborhood called Dormont towards south of the City. I found the Dormont main street a very nice place, nice coffee shops where people are so friendly; great used bookstore where I found all the Ken Follett collections Matt and I loved! 

Thank you Michelle for bringing inspiration in my life and leading to find life's many precious offerings. Have a beautiful day!

【49】Suzi’s Asian Influences @ Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh

What I am about to tell you is one of the most wonderful Pittsburgh Experience I have ever had thus far. In part, it brought to me by a wonderful lady. More so, it was about China and the deep cultural heritage of Asia.

First time I met Suzi and appreciated her elegant antique store Asian Influences from within was in early January. Although Asian Influences is a neighbor to Pittsburgh Cares, where I have my office while working on the HandsOn Tech program, I have many times passed by the store and been captivated by the thick cultural atmosphere since late 2013, I never made the attempt to walk in because of the expectations of my monthly paycheck during this service year :(.  However, in the spirits of a new year, I promised myself to break some psychological limits. One manifestation is to get to know the store nearby and the master behind it, for I feel they both are too special to be passed by without recognition. I am glad that I did open that door on 3513 Butler street during a lunch walk.

On the 23rd of January, Suzi and I sat down in her store. Courtesy of her openness, I got to learn some of her life’s story and the creation of the antique store she has managed for 7 years. When she told me that managing a business is of no big difference from managing a household and it takes patience to go through those down-time, she reminded me of my Mother who was also an entrepreneur, and my own dream of running a business in the future. Then I knew I was lucky to know her, because she is someone I want to be when I “grow up”, and her journey would be of reference to the one under my shoes.

Nobody had ever told Suzi that she couldn’t do anything, so off she went and had a rich life with a plethora of experience.

After high school, she went to New York and spent the following 16 years on the Wall Street. Except a 10-month fly attendant “digression”, she had gradually worked her way up to the ladder in a male-dominant industry. Starting at the stock desk, Suzi worked in budget department in the back office, then government desk, and eventually became a trader herself.  

During those years in New York City, she always liked the dynamics of that City and would wander around during her leisure time to explore those shops in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. On the side, she also took some interior design class and nurtured her artistic capacity in a professional way. She believed that it was those years’ experience that rooted her interest in antiques, and anything that is beautiful and has a depth of cultural heritage.

In late 1980s, she left New York City for her hometown Pittsburgh to be closer with family. She decided to be a Mother and devoted 19 years of her life to her beloved son thereafter. When Suzi told me this part of her life, I wondered whether or not she was working at the same time while she brought up her son. But then I was amazed by her answer, because she told me she had been a full-time Mom for all those years her son was growing up. I scratched my head and thought how can a person preserve such level of sharpness and professionalism after living in a completely different world of raising a child?  If you have the opportunity to meet Suzi, you would know why I was shocked much.

In 2006, her son left home for his own exploration of life’s possibilities. Then Suzi started to brew the idea of starting her own business.  Not only did she think about the idea, but also she took actions and did something about it by taking on a shopping tour to some antique towns, such as Adamsville in Pennsylvania, and several other towns in Florida, in the same year. Meantime, she was also looking for a space to house her business. At the time, Lawrenceville was a revitalized neighborhood for business to set up their roots. So Suzi picked her current location and worked with the landlord and designers to set up the space for the Asian Influences antique store.  In October 2007, she had the “soft opening” (family, friends, and other business owners in the neighborhood were invited to come), which marked the start of her entrepreneurial experience around the block.  I was amused when she told me that during the soft opening, she only had few furnitures on the display. They were just enough to roughly cover the space of the store. If one piece was sold then, she would enter a panic mode because the entire store would look too empty to be a real credible business.

In the past almost seven years, Suzi’s Asian Influences gallery collection has expanded from furniture to art pieces to fabrics. When 2010 a woman brought in a box of fabric from China which were collected by her grandparents when they were in China on a missionary tour, Suzi was immediately captivated by the craftsmanship in those fabrics. I was in awe when Suzi explained the complex of Forbidden Stitch to me. At the same time, I felt so proud to be a Chinese and be part of the timeless cultural heritage. Although many things have changed for better or worse, some treasures have been lost among younger generations, Suzi’s knowledge, appreciation, and understanding of the culture of my Motherland reminded me of an identity that I was born to have and will need to constantly nurture to preserve. Until this day, fabric remains as her focus to expand the store. 

 

Suzi has been a loyal participant of Lawrenceville Corps, an organization that she speaks highly of and helps business owners to promote their business. In conjunction with Suzi’s dedication to her store and the selection of those pieces, Over time, Suzi has developed a group of loyal customers, and accumulated a great deal of collectable pieces that she no longer needs to panic if many products were sold quickly, and they are. However, she still would feel “heartbroken” when those pieces were sold as if she was parting with a beloved one forever.

Currently Suzi is working closely with her photographer Francis Crisafio to put together her annual sales event. It would last a whole month of March, during which all products would be on a 50% discount. Suzi said she can use this opportunity to appreciate those loyal customer’s business, to attract new customers, and to clear up her inventory, which can ultimately justify her shopping trips in a new accounting year. “I really want to go on another shopping trip to see what’s out there.” Suzi confessed smiling.

I have to say, I am tempted and would go to check the store out in March because after those discounts I would be able to afford a piece or two for my new home. I need something Chinese in the house to serve as a visual clue. To see is to think. Ignorance and willful blindness is of most scary. Enn……..I think my trip to Suzi’s Asian Influences is just justified. :) Alas, Women do have something in common, such as shopping for beautiful things regardless of their practicality.    

It was a juicy 2-hour long interview. In the end, we were joined by her dog Booth whom she adopted from an animal rescue center a year ago.

Besides being a business owner, Suzi is also a grateful Grandma to a three-year-old granddaughter. I can tell from her eyes that she is Suzi’s light of life. The smile Suzi has whenever she talks about her granddaughter resembles so much with that when she talks about her antique store. Then I knew for sure I just had a fortune to be introduced to something somebody cherishes the most in her life.

Thank you Suzi for giving me such a privilege to know you and your store. This is indeed an A+ Pittsburgh Experience.

Beer winning trivia @ Asian Influences, Lawrenceville

1. Suzi (Susan Fisher) hold a design certificate from Parsons School of Design in Manhattan and her store Asian Influences is an industry partner of ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers, the oldest and largest professional organization for interior designers. With more than 42,000 practitioners, students and industry partner members, ASID establishes a common identify for professionals and businesses in the field of interior design.

2. Since the beginning of the 21st century, artists and other creative types have bought into the Lawrenceville's dirt-cheap storefronts and turn-of-the-last-century brick row houses, and opened galleries, boutiques and interior design shops along Butler Street. Today, it's a hub for an arts, fashion and interior design district called the 16:62 Design Zone that begins at the 16th Street Bridge in the adjacent Strip District and extends to the 62nd Street Bridge in Lawrenceville. Throw in some good restaurants and other ancillary amenities, and Butler Street is slowly becoming a go-to destination.

ID@ Asian Influences

What’s the slogan of Asian Influence store both on its website and its Ad board outside the store? Is it “Why Travel the world?”

【48】Life is DIVERTIDO, Everyday is a gift @ Divertido, Lawrenceville

In lawrenceville, a store called Divertido on Butler street caught my eye the first time I was taking a lunch walk back in September 2013. It has a very warm outdoor color theme, Orange. and a very catchy window display, tasteful and welcoming.

After the first encounter, I walked by the store many times and each time my eyes would find their ways to be glued to the window, my spirits would be lighted up, and then I thought how wonderful to be here at this moment.

One day the temptation was so irresistible that I opened the door and was greeted by a bright “Hello!”, later I found myself had opened up a whole new experience and greeted by an artistic Pittsburgh woman, Mary Ellen.

On the 22nd of January 2014, Mary Ellen and I sat down in her beautiful store and she told me a story about the birth and growth of Divertido, the store that was created and nurtured by her in the past ten years, for everybody who walks into the door to be able to have a fun experience of picking up a suitable gift for their loved ones.

Our conversation was interrupted several times by her customers. Each time, Mary Ellen would greet the customer, start a small chat and recommend some gifts that she thinks the person might like, just to make the customer at home. The customers were so happy and said they just wanted to walk around to kill time. In the end, when they left the store, they always got something for somebody in their family.

Whenever Mary Ellen was with her customers, I would walk around the store, take every color in, and felt so delighted because I so truly felt the passion and enthusiasm from Mary Ellen. It’s amazing how she has preserved and nurtured the passion she possessed 10 years ago when she first opened the store in another location on Butler street, when she decided to live each of her day fully with love, curiosity  and appreciation in 2006 after going through a health crisis, when in 2011 the original store was flooded and she had to find a new place to reopen the business, and when each time she goes out to look for products for her store among local artists as well as those nationwide or worldwide.

Then when she told me that her plan for Divertido is to leverage the online business trend to expand its market outside Pittsburgh in the future so that  more people can find the fun in picking a good gift for their loved ones, I knew it’s loving what she does and believing in the Divertido concept of shopping for gifts that has helped her achieve what she has achieved. Currently, Mary Ellen is also focusing on her website, and some social media channels to construct an user-friendly online presence. And her personal wish is to go to Paris someday.

If you have an opportunity to visit the store, you would know Mary Ellen’s store is the summation of her artistic background in music, photography, and sincere appreciation of art in general. It can also tell her deep understanding and appreciation of life’s many offerings. I always believe that life happens in sequence, the more we experience, the more we harvest. She herself as a person, an entrepreneur, has an abundant experience in our City and outside our City, which I believe made it even more interesting to know her as a person.  

She currently lives in Etna with her Mother, who remains a vivacious character and loves life much. She told me she was born in Etna when it was still a prosperous place and left for outside world to have a life, after she moved back to Pittsburgh in late 1980s, she has lived in many neighborhoods, such as Northside, Regent Square, and Squirrel Hill. While she felt those ups and downs of the city, she harbors a hope for our City to embrace a bright future, especially for her hometown Etna, a vibrant comeback.

Divertido is a bright spot in Mary Ellen’s life. It adds a bright color on Butler street for Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh. It lights up my spirits each time I think of it. When I purchased a pair of earrings from the store, I know, I have supported a local Pittsburgh artist named Jabari Mason.

At the end of our conversation, I asked Mary Ellen to use her own word to describe Pittsburgh. She thought about it for a long while and said, “I would say Pittsburgh is a Friendly city where you can always find a surprise that you can’t resist.” I think that is such a proper summary for her lovely store Divertido as well.

ID @ Divertido

Where is Divertido store in Lawrenceville?

What’s the color of the front desk? Do you see a door at the front desk too?