Jon StojanTraveling is a gateway to discovery, understanding, and connection, enriching the lives of tourists beyond human comprehension. Whether through immersing ourselves in new cultures, admiring vibrant landscapes, engaging with the bustling city nightlife, or strolling through charming old town streets, people unlock a wealth of wisdom and explore their purpose in the world. For Zachary Patton,Pro Consul at Sigma Chi, University of Pittsburgh, IFC President for leadership skills associated with Hesselbein, and entrepreneur, this sonorous value in traveling was the inspiration behind StayPittsburgh, a hospitality firm that merges quality, convenience, and affordability with the purpose of making the world of travel accessible to all.
StayPittsburgh’s facility, located right in the Golden Triangle, houses 50 bedroom-and-bathroom combinations and joint living room and kitchen areas, offering customers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded explorers while providing them with a sense of privacy. With that, StayPittsburgh emanates the city’s fusion of historical charm and modern innovation, beckoning those with a hunger for fun, cultural, and historical experiences on a budget to make their way up to the Northeast.
Central to the company’s ethos are hotels that address the needs of solo travelers, families looking for an affordable city escape, and even students ready to explore and live Pittsburgh like a local. With a publicly stated mission to be the most affordable place to stay in the Golden Triangle Downtown area, StayPittsburgh, more than a passionate travel-driven company, is an homage to Zachary’s life experiences and childhood struggles.
Growing up, Zachary watched his single mother of four grapple with daily tasks and juggle education, motherhood, and work to make ends meet. Amidst turmoil, the family found solace in traditions, such as their vacation at Pittsburgh’s beach. One year, inspired by the diversity of what this culturally rich city has to offer, Zachary’s mother took her children to the heart of Pittsburgh. But the excitement of discovering the city’s hidden treasures was quickly overshadowed by the excruciatingly high hotel prices, awakening a spark of realization within Zach. That spark – fueled by the haunting memory of seeing his mother upset at the eye-watering cost of hospitality – is what ultimately inspired him to create StayPittsburgh.
What laid the foundation for Zachary’s venture into hospitality was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore scenic and mountainous Switzerland. While researching the rhetoric of nuclear energy policies in this European nation under his University mentor Dr. John Lyne, Zachary was, for the first time, introduced to the communal and enriching hostel concept. “The idea of sharing a space with strangers is just something that we don’t see much in the US,” he adds. “But I remember being fascinated by its potential to foster an inclusive environment for travelers while propelling human connections and open-mindedness.”
What further propelled his dedication to hospitality Technology and cultural exchange was Zachary’s research into innovation policy while Studying at PUC- Rio Pontificia Universidad Católica de Río de Janeiro through CIEE Center for International Education and Exchange. The right to mobility, or what Zachary describes as the right to freely explore the goods the world has to offer, reverberated in his mind, reinforcing his passion for travel and technology.
In 2015, supported by the prestigious Boren scholarship award, StayPittsburgh’s founder moved to Brazil to study human trafficking and its role in the country’s bioethanol industry, which was considered a national security issue. When Zachary embarked on a journey from the north to the south of Brazil, he connected with the BRICS Policy Center think tank. That experience shifted his career interests from international law and policymaking into hands-on hospitality and technology. Shortly after he launched his fifth company, EXO Solutions. This Medellín-based firm, enhancing the real estate landscape through accurate 3D model creation, shaped Zachary’s business aptness and provided him with the skill he now leverages at StayPittsburgh.
In 2016, Zachary founded StayPittsburgh a PA Benefit Corporation, pledging to revolutionize hospitality with budget-friendly options that don’t compromise on comfort, location, and quality. This decision evolved over time, eventually transforming into StayPittsburgh. Reflecting on his mission, this people-centric founder shares, “Traveling on a budget is more than a trend; it’s an approach that elevates tourism with sustainability, human connections, and authentic, local-like experiences. Especially in Pittsburgh, a city where travelers can find a wealth of attractions, cultural events, and thrilling activities, it’s better to save on a hotel and spend more on experiences! And with StayPittsburgh, you can do that without compromising on anything. That’s what it’s all about—sprinkling the magic of traveling into everyone’s lives, one budget-friendly room at a time.”