Russell Stein was introduced to entrepreneurship at an early age; his Deaf father owned a watchmaking business in New York and Florida. Russell saw firsthand the trials and tribulations — and the benefits — of being a small business owner. After attending Gallaudet University to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Russell began his career by working in relay services at Relay America and then Communication Service for the Deaf. He quickly moved up through the ranks in operations, advertising, and marketing, where he executed expansions while generating revenues of $1 million per month.

In 2011, he and his wife Melody embarked on a new adventure: co-founding Mozzeria, a Deaf-owned-and-operated Neapolitan pizzeria in San Francisco. Today, he continues to work with Mozzeria while operating Yantern.

As an outgoing businessman, entrepreneur, visionary and mentor to many in the Deaf community, Russell is passionate about bridging the gaps in deaf employment nationwide. Known and admired for his astute business visions and bold moves, he has received awards such as the prestigious 2016 Amos Kendall Award from Gallaudet University and the 2019 Bay Area Disability Changemakers award.

Melody Stein was born into a family of entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, and is a third-generation business owner. Her family has primarily run restaurants since 1980 in Hong Kong. Her parents relocated to America in the 1980s so that Melody and her brother Joseph could attend the California School for the Deaf. Frustrated by the lack of an upscale Shanghainese restaurant in the area, Melody’s father opened a restaurant in San Francisco — and that’s when Melody knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Melody holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from San Francisco State University, and has served in management positions with Communication Service for the Deaf, including in human resources, programming, project management, and public/community relations. She co-founded Mozzeria in San Francisco with her husband, Russell, in 2011, which became Mozzeria, Inc., in January 2018 with locations coming soon. A dynamic and savvy entrepreneur, Melody has received awards such as the prestigious 2016 Amos Kendall Award from Gallaudet University and the 2019 Bay Area Disability Changemakers award.