Small Business Profiles
Michigan Photographer Helps Professionals Look Their Best
After years of working in the insurance industry as an analyst and product manager, Scott Lawrence realized many professionals dreaded one of the most minor parts of their job: getting a headshot. In 2015, he launched Headshots by Scott Lawrence with a simple goal: to make the headshot process fast, painless, and even fun for…
Small Business Helps Virginians Protect the Environment, One Petroleum Tank At A Time
After watching their parents navigate the frustrating process of working with contractors, regulators, and suppliers to remove and replace underground tanks at their general store, brothers John and Matthew Stump saw an opportunity. In 2007, they launched Hill Top Contractors, a Roanoke, Va.-based business specializing in storage tank removal, installation, and environmental remediation. Hill Top…
Two Friends Bring the Feeling of the Coast to Customers Across the Country
Melanie Bolin relocated from California to Kansas with her young family in 2004 — and though she soon settled into Midwestern life, she continued to miss the Pacific coast. She connected with fellow California transplant Lina Dickinson, and the two quickly bonded over their shared tastes and interests. In 2013, they launched MERSEA — a…
Husband-and-Wife Team Brings Handmade Goat Milk Products to Customers Nationwide
In 2013, husband-and-wife team Joel and Katy Waechter took over Joy Lane Farm in New Hampshire, inspired by Joel’s mom, who made goat milk soap as a hobby while Joel was growing up. The couple started small, selling their handcrafted soap at local farmers markets. As word of the all-natural cleansers’ gentle, restorative properties spread,…
How a Bikes-and-Coffee Café Grew Into a Beloved Chicago Brand
In 2011, Michael Salvatore had a novel idea for a business: a combination boutique bike shop and neighborhood café, all in one welcoming space. He decided to give it a try, launching Heritage Bikes & Coffee in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood. Patrons loved its quality coffee, locally-made bikes, and easygoing atmosphere — and the business…
How A Tennessee Entrepreneur Is Modernizing Security Training, One Guard at a Time
Returning to civilian life after serving as a decorated Army infantryman, Angel Rodriguez began running operations for a small security firm in Nashville. The owners were frustrated by the limited, out-of-date security training options in the area — and soon suggested Angel start training people himself. So in 2012, he launched Alliance Training and Testing…
Family-Run Crawfish Company Brings the Taste of Louisiana Nationwide
In the 1980s, David McGraw was raising crawfish in Natchitoches, Louisiana, when a friend asked if he could ship some to the East Coast. That request sparked an idea — so he launched Louisiana Crawfish Company from his family’s kitchen table — taking orders by phone, hand-packing crawfish, and driving them to the airport himself.…
Entrepreneurs Make Exploring the Outdoors Simple — and Comfortable
Growing up in Colorado, just 20 minutes from the nearest national park, Kevin Deneen always appreciated the natural beauty around him. When his hometown friend Gabe Aufderheide pitched the idea of building a campervan business rooted in their shared love of the outdoors, Kevin jumped at the chance. In 2017, the two teamed up with…
Engineer-Turned-Entrepreneur Aims to Make Sustainable Living Easy
After years working as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry, Mohamad Sam started thinking about the environmental impact of everyday products — and wanted to do something about it. In 2015, he launched Purifyou, a Houston-based business that makes durable, reusable everyday products. One of his first designs was a sleek glass…
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