by Rachel Hazzard
March 26, 2026
Categories: Tenants,
At the Navy Yard, small businesses are helping define what our campus looks and feels like every day. From wellness and financial planning to interior design, these entrepreneurs are creating spaces that bring people together, spark creativity, and support everyday life.
Get to know a few of the business owners who are building something special here.
Alchemy X: A Space for Movement, Nourishment, Collaboration, and Growth
Founded by wellness entrepreneur DaraMarie Adams, Alchemy X is a modern wellness brand rooted in movement, recovery, and community.
Since launching in 2022, Alchemy X has evolved into more than just a fitness studio. Through Pilates, Barre, Sculpt, Strength Training, Yoga, dynamic movement experiences, recovery offerings, and community-centered events, the business is designed to help the Navy Yard community feel stronger, more grounded, and more connected to themselves.
For Adams, that mission is personal. “Movement changed my life,” she shares. “It became more than a workout; it became a way to reconnect with myself, to build resilience, and to move through life with more awareness and intention. Fitness taught me that strength is not only physical, it is emotional, mental, and spiritual too.”
Alchemy X focuses on quality instructions that challenge people in meaningful ways. But it’s about more than the physical results, it’s about building confidence, releasing stress, or simply finding a sense of stability in a fast-moving world.
At the Navy Yard, Alchemy X has found the right environment to grow. “The Navy Yard has a unique sense of momentum,” Adams says. “It is a place where innovation, design, and community are actively taking shape, and that energy resonates deeply with what we are building at Alchemy X. There is an openness there…a feeling that new ideas, new experiences, and new ways of living well are welcome.”
Her advice for others building something of their own? “Trust the vision before it’s fully visible. Lead with substance, stay connected to your community, and never underestimate the power of showing up with both clarity and conviction. You do not need to have everything figured out to begin. You just need the courage to start and the discipline to keep going.”
Barilotti Wealth Strategies: Helping Clients Navigate Complex Financial Decisions
Founded in 2008, Barilotti Wealth Strategies and Insurance Solutions, LLC is led by Christy Barilotti, with her sister Dina Harnett serving as VP. Together, the duo has worked together for over two decades, helping clients toward their long-term financial goals. In 2021, the firm brought its expertise to the Navy Yard.
Barilotti Wealth Strategies provides independent, objective financial guidance grounded in disciplined strategy and personalized attention. The firm specializes in goal-based financial planning, retirement strategy, asset allocation, tax diversification, tax-efficient portfolio management, and long-term wealth preservation. Many clients benefit from multigenerational strategies, designed to help address wealth transfer considerations across generations.
The work is deeply rewarding. “We get to witness people’s dreams turn into a reality,” said Barilotti. “We work with clients on retirement strategies and see them pursue their goals. Since I have been in the business for 27 years, I have witnessed clients get married, having children, put them through college and now the children are getting jobs and becoming clients. It’s mind-blowing!”
For Barilotti Wealth Strategies, the Navy Yard offers more than a location—it’s a space that supports both professional focus and personal well-being. “We love the peacefulness, the safety, being on the water, the friendly environment, the convenience of the location, and of course the free parking,” Barilotti adds.
Outside of work, Barilotti enjoys traveling with her husband Rob, spending time on the water, practicing yoga, meditating, and gardening. Their mini cockapoo, Louis Vuitton (“Big Lou”), keeps life joyful and entertaining. The pair are also actively involved in the Broaden Horizons Mentorship Program at Liguori Academy in Philadelphia.
When asked for advice for women starting or growing a business in Philadelphia, Christy emphasizes focus and resilience: “Starting a business and running a business is not easy. You will hit roadblocks and have issues. Learn to put together a team of professionals that can help you through every turn. It’s a team effort!”
Christy Barilotti is a Financial Adviser with Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser, and a Registered Representative of NYLIFE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC), a Licensed Insurance Agency. 1113 ADMIRAL PEARY WAY SUITES A AND B, PHILADELPHIA PA 19112 Eagle Strategies LLC and NYLIFE Securities LLC are New York Life Companies. Barilotti Wealth Strategies, LLC is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC or its affiliates.
Neither Barilotti Wealth Strategies, LLC its staff nor NYLIFE Securities LLC or its representatives or affiliates provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own professionals for tax, legal and accounting advice.
Bergman Vass: Designing Serene, Collected Spaces
Interior design firm Bergman Vass brings a collaborative, detail-driven approach to residential design—creating spaces that feel both refined and deeply personal. Known for their tailored aesthetic and architecturally grounded interiors, the firm blends traditional elements with fresh, modern perspectives to create spaces that reflect lives well lived.
Led by principal designer Dana Bergman Falcione and creative partner Erica Vassalotti, the firm officially launched in 2023, building on a long-standing professional relationship and a shared passion for thoughtful design. Bergman Falcione brings nearly 30 years of experience, having led her own design studios in both New Jersey and Philadelphia and built a loyal clientele through her collaborative approach and deep expertise. Vassalotti’s background in retail, production styling, and art direction—including time at Anthropologie and an apprenticeship under Athena Calderone—adds a fresh, expressive perspective shaped by travel, creative exploration, and a love of sourcing unique pieces.
Since becoming partners, the team has expanded rapidly, launched a furniture and rug line, and earned recognition in leading design publications, including Vogue, Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, and Modern Luxury. A recent highlight included a feature on the Architectural Digest homepage for a custom-designed home for Super Bowl XLVII’s MVP Joe Flacco.
Their move to the Navy Yard felt like a natural fit—and for Vassalotti, a meaningful full-circle moment in her career. “The Navy Yard is steps from where I started my career 10 years ago at Anthropologie. A 22-year- old girl with big dreams. When Dana and I visited the space we felt at home and knew it was the right place to continue building our business. We have gorgeous water views and our street is extremely peaceful and feels residential. We also love being surrounded by other creatives and working professionals!”
For the duo, community has been a key part of their journey. Their advice to other business owners: get connected. “Philadelphia is a big city that doesn’t feel so big, making it an amazing place to network and learn from others who have walked in your shoes before!”
A Community in Motion
What makes the Navy Yard unique is the mix of people and ideas coming together in one place. These businesses—each with their own perspective and purpose—are helping shape a community that feels creative, collaborative, and constantly evolving.
And as the Navy Yard continues to grow, so does the energy behind it—driven by the people building something here every day.
BePart of What’s Growing
Join a community of businesses shaping the future at the Navy Yard and find a space designed for what’s next.