Ten years ago, Lauren Martz set up a folding table at a Lawrenceville flea market — next to a guy selling broken DVDs — and sold out of baked goods nobody realized were gluten-free. Today, Baked True North is a dedicated 100% gluten-free bakery and cafe in Ross Township with a loyal following that proves her theory: treat the gluten-free community right, and they'll follow you to the ends of the earth. In this episode of The 77 Show, Lauren talks with Michelle about baking for her husband's celiac diagnosis before "gluten-free" was on anyone's menu, the chemistry experiment of replacing wheat flour (there's no single substitute — it's a blend, always), and the English muffin that became her best-seller. Plus: fried gluten-free donuts on the first Saturday of every month, the vintage shop tucked inside the cafe, her grandma's toffee bar recipe living on in the case, and the business philosophy she got from her dad — we don't export chaos. Visit Baked True North in Ross Township — open Wednesday through Saturday, with grab-and-go, espresso, and weekend brunch. The 77 Show features entrepreneurs, women in business, nonprofits, and people doing cool things in the Pittsburgh community. Hosted by Michelle Quaranta. Produced by Studio 77 Media in Warrendale, PA. #Pittsburgh #GlutenFree #Bakery #SmallBusiness #The77Show

Everyone has the same AI tools now — so how do you stand out? In this episode of The 77 Show, Michelle sits down with Geena Greguric, founder of Highkey Growth and host of the Highkey Growth podcast, a born-and-raised Pittsburgher who works as a fractional marketing leader for companies across the country. Geena explains what a fractional CMO actually does (and how it's different from hiring an agency), why most businesses aren't doing marketing wrong — they're doing strategy wrong — and why old-school, in-person marketing is roaring back. Then the AI conversation gets real: nobody has a leg up when every competitor has the same tools, so your edge is the one thing AI can't generate — your opinion. Plus her practical tips: the "60 Seconds of Safety" consistency story, how to prompt AI for editable vector graphics instead of loud one-shot flyers, and why the founder's face still builds trust better than anything.

From self-described "mall chick" to alpaca entrepreneur — Kim Brooks never planned on farm life. Then she saw a sign for an alpaca show on the way home from church, and 26 years later she's running Inca Brands: five brands, ten people, four countries, and a whole lot of alpaca. 🦙 In this episode of The 77 Show, Kim shares how she borrowed $20K from her husband's retirement, hopped on a plane to Peru alone at 37 (without speaking a word of Spanish), and built a global alpaca apparel business — after leaving high school with a 1.25 GPA. We get into why alpaca is one of the most sustainable textiles on the planet, the "put a toe in, not your whole body" approach to business risk, and the alpaca teddy bears that ended up comforting an Alzheimer's unit. Her advice? You don't have to know everything. You just need faith in the next step. Find Kim's products: Inca Brands: incabrands.com Also home to Warrior Alpaca Socks, Inca Fashions & Alpaca Home — available on Amazon and Walmart, and on Instagram + Facebook @IncaBrands Subscribe to The 77 Show for more conversations with entrepreneurs about how they really got started — the messy parts included. Produced by Studio 77 in Warrendale, PA. #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #Alpaca #The77Show #WomenInBusiness

In this episode, Audrey Mackey shares the inspiring story behind The Michael Mackey Project, a nonprofit dedicated to creating free, inclusive opportunities for children with special needs and their families. From adaptive sports to community support, learn how one family's journey is making a lasting impact. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and let us know who you'd like to see featured next! #Nonprofit #SpecialNeeds #AdaptiveSports #Community #Pittsburgh #Studio77

In this episode of The 77 Show, Michelle sits down with Erica Parr, Executive Director of the Sewickley Valley Chamber, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, community, and the realities of building a successful business. From launching a retail storefront just months before COVID to leading one of the region's most active chambers of commerce, Erica shares her journey through business ownership, personal growth, and finding purpose through serving others. In this episode, we discuss: • Erica's path from entrepreneur to Executive Director of the Sewickley Valley Chamber • The importance of community support for small businesses • What it's really like to wear every hat as a business owner • How and when to delegate as your business grows • Why coaching, mentorship, and networking can accelerate success • The challenges of scaling a business and building a team • Women in business and finding your voice as a leader • Why collaboration beats competition • The role local chambers play in helping businesses thrive • Defining success on your own terms Throughout the conversation, Michelle and Erica explore the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, the importance of staying true to yourself, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can help you grow both personally and professionally. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, community leader, or simply someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers valuable insights on building a meaningful career and life.

In this episode, we sit down with Kaylyn, a rising entrepreneur and founder of Cali Lilly, to talk about her journey from leaving a male-dominated industry to building her own boutique brand from the ground up. Kaylyn shares how taking a leap of faith and investing in herself led to the creation of her business, the story behind the name "Cali Lilly" (inspired by her mom and California roots), and how she's bringing a fresh, West Coast-inspired fashion vibe to the Pittsburgh area. We also dive into: How Kaylyn sources and curates her boutique pieces The importance of personal style and confidence in fashion Growing a business through pop-up events and community connections The realities of entrepreneurship, hiring, and building a team Why your career path doesn't have to follow your degree From fashion inspiration to real talk about work ethic and finding your passion, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone.