Foreword

THIS IS 2020. WELCOME TO THE ICONS OF PITTSBURGH. VOL. 5.

The rising entrepreneurs featured in this year’s book are raising the bar and changing perspectives in Pittsburgh. The city has become a hotbed for so many industries, with tech and real estate flourishing, and the art and restaurant scenes still very much booming.

These are just a few reasons the city has been declared one of the most livable cities in the country by Forbes. The ICONs gracing these pages in this volume are the ones making all of this happen. LUXE Creative is now the biggest event company in the city, responsible for producing the most coveted weddings and black-tie affairs.

We also have so many great ICONs in the home sector, with some of the best designers at our fingertips changing the way we live. It’s much easier now to elevate your home thanks to KBC Kitchen & Bath, House Hues, Balkovec Wallcoverings, Laken Design, Studio S. Interior Design, and Nasco Roofing. Five years of ICONs means living, breathing, and featuring more than 200 individual business owners and entrepreneurs. The best part of this is how much I’ve learned from them and the amount of knowledge they have about their chosen fields. As each of us has individual goals we aspire to achieve personally, one thing I can’t help but think about is the power of collaboration and supporting each other. I’ve seen so many people within this special network become friends and eventually work together.

This formula is the crux of ICONs. When I launched the concept, we wanted to get the word out about the individuals that make up these fantastic businesses. We never realized the potential of what would happen if we put all of these great minds together. The businesses being featured and working together have made this group become even more powerful and accessible. Yes, social media these days is an absolute must, but with the ICONs, we are able to bring to you the best of Pittsburgh. Networking is an art that takes skill and time to cultivate; this year’s roster has that figured out, but doing it next to other great minds is what makes us stronger. Pittsburgh is no longer coming into its own. It’s here, and we’ve made it. This is home now. We live in a place where we are able to explore the most amazing food on every corner and the best gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers that cater to every lifestyle.

Each neighborhood holds a personality of its own. We can dive into any facet of entertainment, which we now have so much of. Supporting local boutiques is one of my favorite pastimes, with everything from candle companies to pickle shops, and because the list of cool things to do in the ‘Burgh is endless, it supersedes many major cities, whether it’s farms, parks, hotels, or its ability to be incredibly bikable.

At this point, I don’t think there is anything missing in our city, but if we have forgotten something, I’m sure someone amazing will dream it up soon.

ICONically Yours, April Hubal

A TheICONSofPittsburgh P.O. Box 101262 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 E info@theiconsbook.com W theiconsbook.com