Small Business Profiles
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 The owners were frustrated by the limited, out-of-date security training options in the area — and soon suggested Angel start training people himself.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…
Nebraska Friends Ship Customizable Ice Cream Pints Nationwide
In 2007, friends Becky App and Abby Jordan spotted a gap in the online gift market: People could send their loved ones flowers, candy, and baked goods — but not ice cream. Sensing an opportunity, they launched a unique new business — which they named eCreamery — offering personalizable gourmet ice cream pints that could…
Best Friends Help Families Tell Their Stories, One Journal at a Time
When Stephanie Peters and her best friend, Sarah Autry, struggled to find the right journals for documenting their child’s milestones, they sensed a business opportunity: If they were looking for tasteful, keepsake-quality journals, other families probably were too. In 2020, the two moms teamed up with their husbands, Garrett and Garland, to launch Duncan &…
Illinois Entrepreneur Brings Handmade Beauty Products to Customers Nationwide
After years of struggling with sensitive skin and cystic acne, Amanda Kezios set out to create the products she couldn’t find on the shelves. What started in the late ’90s as a personal wellness journey turned into a mission to build a beauty brand rooted in self-love, inclusivity, and natural ingredients. In 2003, Amanda founded…
Ohio Entrepreneur Brings Healthy Breakfast Cereal to Customers Nationwide
After struggling with chronic fatigue for over a decade, Cleveland mom and digital marketing expert Veronica Blue finally found relief by switching to a low-carb, gluten-free diet. But she missed her favorite comfort foods — especially hot cereals like farina. Unable to find low-carb substitutes, she experimented with ingredients like almonds and flax seeds until…
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How a Bikes-and-Coffee Café Grew Into a Beloved Chicago Brand
California Small Business Owners Sound Alarm on Harmful Tech Policy Proposals
How A Tennessee Entrepreneur Is Modernizing Security Training, One Guard at a Time
