Shivangi Sinha
Marginalized and disabled individuals often do not have many job opportunities and continue to face discrimination in hiring and in the workplace. Even with assurances and initiatives aimed at improving employment, the reality is that it is not always fair or accessible to everyone. Many still struggle to find stable and inclusive work environments. In episode 18 of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 17, Pi00a (or pi00a) stood out not just for its product but for its mission. The frozen Neapolitan pizza business showed a strong commitment to creating employment opportunities for the Deaf and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) community.
Pi00a: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
The story of Pi00a begins with the Stein family, Melody, Russell, Rylan, and Tyasia, whose combined professional experience spans hospitality, business strategy, food science, and marketing. Melody Stein, with a background in hospitality management from San Francisco State University and business studies at Gallaudet University, built a career in entrepreneurship and Deaf advocacy. She founded Mozzeria in 2011, a pioneering Deaf-owned pizzeria, and later launched ventures like Yantern, a Deaf business consulting agency in 2017. She also founded MxT 2510 in 2021, which is a sustainable fashion brand. Russell Stein, a Gallaudet University graduate in Business Administration, brought decades of leadership experience, including senior roles at Communication Service for the Deaf and as CEO of Hapa and Stein Inc.
He co-founded Mozzeria and served as CFO and Master Pizzaiolo. He currently leads the Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute while co-owning Yantern. The next generation brought equally strong expertise. Rylan Stein, a Food Science graduate from California State University, Northridge, leads research, development, quality assurance, and food safety at pi00a, drawing on hands-on experience in the food industry. Tyasia Stein, with a marketing degree from Arizona State University and international study experience in Italy and Australia, oversees marketing, sales, and operations, building on her prior leadership roles in retail and food service.
The foundation for pi00a was laid in the 2010s, when Melody traveled to Italy to learn the art of Neapolitan pizza-making. While the culinary inspiration was critical, the mission was always to create meaningful employment opportunities for the Deaf community. This vision took shape with Mozzeria, which Melody and Russell launched in 2011 as a Deaf-operated pizzeria. After years of success, they transitioned the business in 2017 to a nonprofit organization, ensuring its continued social impact. In 2023, the family came together again to launch pi00a, a Deaf and CODA family-owned business based in Los Angeles.
They specialize in premium, globally inspired frozen Neapolitan pizzas that combine culinary authenticity with innovation. Their dough is crafted using imported Italian 00 flour, fermented for 24 hours, and blast-chilled to preserve its signature light, airy, and crisp texture. Through pi00a, the Steins continue to merge world-class food with a purpose-driven mission to create opportunities and representation for the Deaf community while delivering globally influenced flavors to their customers.
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Pi00a: Where Are They Now?
Pi00a’s passion for both food and purpose is evident in the recognition they’ve received, with features across major platforms such as Eater, the Los Angeles Times, Startup CPG, Nosh, and more. The name pi00a (pronounced “pie-oh-ah”) itself reflects their attention to detail as it’s a creative twist on “pizza,” replacing the “zz” with “00,” the premium Italian flour that forms the base of their signature crust. On their website, customers can preorder a curated selection of offerings. One of their standout options is the Mix & Match Frozen Neapolitan Pizza Bundle, priced at $69 (plus $25 shipping, which includes dry ice and insulated packaging). This bundle features flavors like Margherita, Miso Eggplant, Quattro Formaggi, and Soppressata, with the flexibility to adjust quantities per pizza, which can affect the final price. For instance, a set of four Margherita pizzas is available at the same base price.
Another popular option is the Meet Them All – Taste Every Signature Flavor bundle, which includes one of each of the four varieties for $69. Beyond pizzas, they also offer a Spicy Chili Crunch jar for $14, along with branded merchandise, including T-shirts at $45 and hats at $30. Their products have expanded beyond direct orders and are now stocked in the freezer sections of major grocery chains, including Whole Foods locations across Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, as well as Mother’s Market, Earth Fare, and various independent retailers. Their signature Spicy Chili Crunch is also available at HomeGoods and specialty stores nationwide.
In March 2026, they further expanded distribution to PCC Community Markets in Seattle, Washington. In the same month, they also showcased their product at the Natural Products Expo as a Expo West Pitch Slam finalist. They were also awarded the Project Potluck $10,000 Madeline Haydon Award for Entrepreneurship. They have also started a business partnership with Good Eggs, which has been helping them with online delivery in California. At its core, pi00a remains deeply rooted in family values and advocacy. It is delivering on its mission to uplift and create opportunities for the Deaf community.
