Micah Grubbs
Owner
Micah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington & Jefferson College in 1998, and has since honed his expertise in business management and client services. With years of sales and project management in corporate America, he built his business acumen and extraordinary customer care skills. His background organizing large projects and matching a product to his client’s needs prepared him to found and run The Verve 360˚.
It requires bold, forward thinking to envision a new direction and, more importantly, to act on it. Micah saw Pittsburgh as a city poised for radical re-invention. Downtown had resisted change for decades, but the signs were all pointing toward transformation.
To encourage the new direction, Micah, prompted by his partner Aubre, decided that the city needed a place with a unique concept that would both lead and encourage the coming changes. Together they were, “certain that Verve is the place Pittsburgh was looking for.”
Micah wanted to evolve the traditional spa model to create a space with a distinct and unique vibe. Pilates and yoga, massage, make-up, skin and facial care are all performed in a space unlike any other. But beyond the services, there is a subtle, notable element clients feel upon entering Verve – a sense of welcome that goes beyond simple customer service.
Client service is the priority for all of Verve’s professionals, and Micah’s commitment is that people feel welcome and taken care of on their first visit and every time after. He is clear that once people experience the space, the services and the distinctive employee dynamic that is Verve, they will want to return.
Come and join the Verve family and experience what 360˚ of wellness is all about.
Aubre J. Stacknick
Owner/Licensed Massage Therapist/Entrepreneur
Aubre began her entrepreneurial spirit far before she began her first endeavor at the young age of 18. This yearning came from a long ancestry of talented, creative and intelligent individuals. She spent many successful years as a business owner in both New Jersey and the Pocono’s building and designing custom homes.
Self-motivation and professional experience in financing, client relations, and project management prepared Aubre for her next entrepreneurial leap of faith. Being a visionary, Aubre decided that returning to her long time love of holistic medicine, Pilates and bodywork was what best suited her. After contemplating the where’s and when’s of opening a wellness facility such as Verve, Aubre returned to Pittsburgh where she frequented as a teenager and knew she’d eventually end up. “I knew the minute I got here that it was only a matter of time before Verve would be in motion. We are creating our own market here in Pittsburgh, nothing new to me. We are creating “the” center for health and wellness in downtown Pittsburgh.” Aubre says.
Much experience and many hours of education have proven to be the right formula for another successful undertaking. After 3 years of consideration and 1 year of planning with now partner Micah, Verve opened in December of 2007. Verve has had a tremendous beginning even thru the economic downturn in early to mid 2008 and looks forward to the incredible opportunities the future holds.
Thoughts from Aubre: “I believe in balance of body, mind and spirit. My work emphasizes this importance. Over the years, I have had the pleasure to work with Professional musicians, singers, actors, dancers, athletes of every sort, and business people. My goal is to create bodywork sessions that address your specific needs. My focus has always been to support fluidity, vitality and restore your body to its’ original integrity. Each personalized bodywork session facilitates the healing process on every level through the power of intelligent and intuitive touch. My unique experience with massage in various medical fields such as plastic surgery, pre & peri-natal, neuromuscular, sports therapy and rehabilitation creates a thorough understanding of movement and healing in the human body. I am a firm believer in centering one’s life! Knowledge is power! Bringing these facets of wellness and health together continues to be my goal. This concept prompted the inception of VERVE 360. I love the historical aspect of Pittsburgh so I decided downtown was the only place to be.”
Etta Cramer
Manager
I was hired on as the manager for Verve 360 in early 2008. I grew up in the South Hills, and although I’ve moved out-of-state a few times, Pittsburgh has always been my home. In 2007 I married an amazing man, Jason, and gained a step-daughter, Isabella. We were living in Austin, 
Texas at the time where I was an Assistant Director at a Primrose School. I loved working with the children, and absolutely LOVED my job, but my husband and I felt too far away from our families in Pittsburgh. Luckily, my brother Micah and future sister-in-law Aubre were searching for administrative help for their new business, Verve 360.
When I started at Verve, we only occupied the third floor of the building and had two employees in addition to myself, a Pilates Instructor and an Esthetician. Through a lot of hard work and determination the business quickly began to flourish, and soon we were able to add more to our staff, including Yoga Instructors and additional Massage Therapists. In March of 2010, I went on maternity leave for my beautiful daughter, Evelyn, and when I returned 3 months later Verve had expanded even further! We now occupied the first floor with our new salon, adding Nail and Hair services to our menu.
My job has changed quite a bit since I began my career with Verve, but one thing has stayed the same; my passion for helping people and the enjoyment I get from working with family at a company I truly believe in. Our mission has always been to guide individuals on a path to health and wellness, and I have personally seen people transform their lives using the programs at Verve. I feel lucky to be a part of Verve 360 and plan to continue helping our clients achieve their goals in years to come.
Laura Smith
Wellness Professional / Licensed Massage Therapist / Personal Trainer/ Reiki Therapist
I have been in the wellness field for 9 years now, providing individual client based programs. My goal is to provide the best treatment for my clients to help them live a health productive life.
I provide Therapeutic Massage Services to clients who need help coping with stress, serious long term illnesses (such as arthritis), cancer treatment management, M.S., fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, as well as life events such as surgery recovery and athletics.
I have worked with business partners and associations delivering fitness and massage therapy programs. This includes management at the Cardello Building, Silverio & Hoffmann Gym, Good Apples and several chiropractic organizations.
NAMASTE
Brianne Culp
Stylist/Colorist/ Nail Technician
Growing up in the beauty industry has always been inspiring for Brianne. Coming from a long line of hairdressers, styling comes quite naturally to her. Brianne trained while in high school at SUN Area Career and Technology in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, under Crystal Gutshall, a certified Pivot Point International instructor.
Competing in SkillsUSA held in Kansas City, Missouri, Brianne was ranked 5th in the nation specializing in gorgeous up-dos perfect for weddings and formal events.
After graduating high school Brianne continued education at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania for business management.
From there it was to Chicago, Illinois, to work under one of the industry’s leading experts in keratin bond hair extensions.
Brianne has continued education with companies such as Paul Mitchell, L’Oreal Professional, and HotHeads Hair Extensions. She is currently striving to continue her education and staying up to date with the latest techniques and styles. It is especially important to Brianne to give her clients personalized cuts, styles and color that reflect who they are and what they would like to project to the world. She also specializes in manicures, gel manicures and pedicures.
Jacquelyn Cuturic
Artistic Director/Makeup Artist
Jacquelyn’s inspirations for becoming a hairdresser date back over ten years and she has been a part of the hairdressing culture since 2001. She feels the industry is profound in many ways, affecting the well-being and livelihood of women across the world.
As a stylist, she takes pride in helping women achieve and embrace their natural beauty and its simplicity to their fullest potential. By educating her clients on product and technique she liberates women from the daily chore of “styling” their hair.
Well-educated in the Jane Iredale mineral make up line, Jacquelyn holds true to the philosophy that make up should enhance your natural beauty, draw the eye towards your greatest features and add confidence to your daily life.
Jacquelyn has trained in haircutting and color in world-renowned institutes across the country and believes that continuing education is the foreground for exceptional work in the studio. She specializes in cutting according to the hair’s natural texture and assists her clients in achieving low-maintenance, signature looks. “ I believe that we should never have a bad hair day, if we have the right haircut.”
Samantha Stacknick
Stylist/Nail Technician/Esthetician
Originally from Scranton PA, Sam graduated from High school at Lackawanna Trial June 5th 2012. She attended Susquehanna County and Career Center (SCCTC) for cosmetology. While attending SCCTC Sam won an award for most outstanding and helpful student. She made high honors every semester at SCCTC. She graduated SCCTC June 7th 2012. She moved to Pittsburgh July 9th 2012 and started working at Verve. She then went to somerset New Jersey and got certified for Yonka, our skin care line. Sam specializes in men cut’s, waxing and facials. She also does nails.
Christy L. Gordon
Licensed Massage Therapist And Pilates Instructor
Christy, originally from Williamsport, PA, moved to the Pittsburgh area to expand her career in the alternative health care field. She has been in tune with the body and how it works since her early childhood as a gymnast. After an injury ended her gymnastics career, Christy received massage therapy to aid in recovery from knee surgery – and became hooked. She received training from Central PA School of Massage as a massage practitioner in 2004 and continued with an Advanced Bodyworker Degree from Career Training Academy in 2010.
Christy strives to provide her clients with customized therapeutic treatments for optimal results for their individual needs. She is highly skilled in a variety of modalities ranging from infant to geriatric. She offers a variety of therapies including Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, facilitated joint mobility stretching, and more! For her next step in the bodywork field, Christy is expanding with personal training through the Peak Pilates method. Come see Christy for your personal evaluation, and let her take care of you!
Roxanne Williams
Licensed Massage Therapist/Bodyworker and Peak Pilates Level 1 Certified Trainer
Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Roxanne’s roots have firmly landed in the East Side of Pittsburgh. She chose to attend Peabody High School in order to participate in the first responder program as an entry into the health field. Although her interest was in Sports Medicine, she knew she couldn’t fail in her endeavors for a Business Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
After graduation she started dabbling in all of her many different interests. Nicknamed a “jack of all trades”, she actually earned her massage therapy certification while working as the Director of Education and Training for the PA League of Young Voters in 2008. Following her passion for helping people reach their optimal health and wellness, she is now an ACE certified Personal Trainer and a Peak Pilates Level 1 Certified instructor and trainer which she has merged with her massage therapy practice. And she’s not stopping there! Her long-term goal is to bring all of this together with Yoga and Tai Chi to be a Physical Rehabilitation Specialist.
Anne Denton
Licensed Massage Therapist
Anne was born in the booming metropolis of Pierre, SD. Having 3 older brothers she played sports her whole life, her favorites being ice hockey and ballet. She went to school at the University of North Dakota for 3.5 years before she decided massage was the path for her. After getting Nationally Certified in massage therapy she moved to Denver and worked for a corporate establishment for a 1.5 years but the east winds carried her to Pittsburgh where she has been for a 1.5 yrs. Lending to her past involvement in sports and training, she specializes in Athletic massage.
Linda Williams
Certified Level 2 Peak Pilates Trainer
Linda Williams began working in the working in the fitness industry in 1999 and started teaching Pilates a few years later. Over the past decade she’s has certified in various exercise classes including, Spinning, Yoga, Step, Kickboxing, water aerobics, and dance. However, Pilates was most instrumental in helping Linda’s body heal from injuries sustained in an aggressive instructor teaching schedule and marathon training. Linda runs 3 to 6 half-marathons yearly.
Wanting to be trained in a Classical Pilates training format, Linda chose The Peak Pilates system as her certifying program for Pilates. Linda has completed and tested out both the beginner and intermediate levels and hopes to complete the necessary Peak comprehensive trainer requirements in the year 2013.
As studio Director of Verve wellness, Linda manages the program, teaches 10 classes weekly and does private training. She’s personable, friendly and excited about help clients reach their full Pilates potential.
DeAndre Stevenson
Master Stylist
DeAndre is a Pittsburgh native with over a decade of experience as a salon owner and hair stylist. An alumni of North Hills Beauty Academy, located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, DeAndre became a certified Cosmetologist and Cosmetology Instructor. Studying at various vocational institutes nationwide, he has secured many accreditations and awards.
Recognizing that both beauty and fashion represent dynamic roles in a person’s well-being, his mission is to make his clients look and feel their best and invests significant time and energy keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques. Specializing in natural looking, multi-dimensional hair color, all facets of hair cutting and ethnic hair, DeAndre can assist you in achieving your best look, inside and out!
Jessica Ismirle
Beauty Specialist
From Battle Creek, Michigan (Cereal City), Jessica has captivated an interest for style since a young age. She duel enrolled in high school and cosmetology school her senior year. After graduating high school in 2006, Jessica continued her studies at The School of Designing Arts.
Once becoming a certified cosmetologist in 2007, Jessica excelled at providing efficient customer service at Regions Salon in Kalamazoo, Michigan before moving to Florida. In Orlando, Florida, Jessica thrived at not only providing stellar customer service, but also at supporting her team members through management, training and role modeling with hair cuttery.
Jessica is not your average stylist. She will not JUST provide you with the haircut you ask for. She will design your look and will do what she is confident will look best on you! Jessica specializes in excellent customer service, personalized cuts, coloring, hair care, nail design and dramatic styling.
Heather Golt
Client Relations Manager
Heather, originally from Baltimore, MD, moved to the Pittsburgh area 8 years ago to fulfill her dreams of helping people and working in the wellness field. After studying psychology and social work in California University of PA she moved on to become a certified massage therapist in 2008, graduating from the Western School of Health and Business Careers. Since then she has had management positions in retail, food, salon and spa, and the wellness field and loves helping people feel better after every service. She enjoys being the beginning and ending contact for clients so they feel well taken care of and beautiful. She is passionate and dedicated to making Verve the most successful spa, salon and wellness center in the Pittsburgh area and to treat each individual like family to ensure every client leaves feeling happy, healthy, beautiful, and rejuvenated.
