During the COVID lockdown, with so much downtime, people had time to reflect on what truly brought them fulfillment and purpose in life. Those years during the pandemic felt like major turning points for many, with careers changing, relationships evolving or new business ventures beginning. These topics often came up in conversation when checking on family and friends, and for local caterer Michael Pattillo, owner of Michael’s Manna, it was no different. Who would have known that the decision to pursue his true passion would give Michael the chance to be a private chef during Pittsburgh’s 2026 NFL draft? All because of his ambition, motivation and the Library.
Michael had been a fast-food fry cook, a line cook at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and everything culinary in between, but in 2020 he was selling life insurance and knew that it wasn’t the right path for him. Putting himself and his family’s well-being into perspective, he decided to put on his chef hat again and take a leap.
At home with his 2-year-old in 2022, with daycares still closed, Michael watched reruns of “Undercover Billionaire”, an entrepreneur-themed reality show starring Glenn Stearns. A quote from Stearns stuck with Michael: “If you’re an entrepreneur and trying to start a business, use some of your free resources like the local library.”
Thanks to donors like you, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has resources available for FREE for anyone looking to start or reignite their passion project.
“One of the starting points in my mind was to go to the Library and from there, they’ll teach me how to build a business,” says Michael.
Michael was no stranger to libraries. “When I was a small child, we used to go to the library on the Hill, and storytime was my favorite. I was the kid with a big imagination, sitting in the front, and I still read those stories to my kids.”
His love of libraries followed him all the way through school, and he ended up working at CLP – Main in the Music Department as a page. In his downtime, he would go through scores and listen to music from the collection. Around that time, the Music Department obtained an electric upright piano, and he loved playing it.
“I used to get in trouble all the time because I was supposed to be putting books away, but I’d sit down and play a little bit. They (the librarians) clearly saw that I loved the piano a lot, so when they (CLP) did a newsletter article for the library on the piano, they took pictures of me playing it.”
Even back then, librarians saw a creative, passionate person in Michael. And more recently, so did Tammy Stoken, the Library Services Manager of Career, Business and Nonprofit Services. “What I remember most about working with Michael was his dedication and openness throughout the entire process. From our very first meeting, it was clear that he was motivated, willing to listen and eager to learn. He welcomed suggestions, asked thoughtful questions and consistently showed up ready to do the work. Even early on, I could tell he had a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to turning his goals into reality.”
Tammy helped Michael book private meeting rooms so he could focus on navigating industry research and introduced him to all the business center tools available at the Library. Hunkering down in a meeting room for eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, Michael made his time count while his son and wife cheered him on. Library resources and support helped him learn about the catering side of food and Tammy’s connection with another local entrepreneur, Jamal Etienne-Harrigan from Uncle Jammy’s, became another resource for Michael. Creating connections between people is part of the Library’s mission and one of the most special services it provides.
“I’d highly recommend Career, Business and Nonprofit Services because of the wealth of knowledge—in my world, the library isn’t talked about much anymore. I feel like we take the library for granted. The resources inside of those four walls are just amazing.”
When asked what he’s most proud of since starting Michael’s Manna, Michaels says his most recent accomplishment with the NFL comes to mind, but he’s also proud of the journey he took to get there.
“Maybe the easy answer would be being a part of the NFL Draft, but the fact that I’m still in it—I haven’t given up. And I still want to do it; there’s still excitement, there’s motivation and inspiration to go forward. I’m excited that my brand is getting recognized, the growth—that I’m still going strong.”
Tammy reminds anyone who wants to start their own business that they don’t have to do it alone. Just like Michael, everyone has access to an entire team of cheerleaders at the Library who can make sure they have the tools for growing a business in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“All of our support is free, so there’s truly nothing to lose. Starting a business can feel intimidating and overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. We are here to help you sort through the ideas, answer questions and set up a clear, manageable path toward success,” says Tammy.
Because of you, everyone can get the help they need to launch and grow their business, helping Pittsburgh’s communities and local economy thrive.