Small Business Profiles
Virginia Wine Shop Provides a Welcoming Community Space
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, longtime friends Kristen Gardner and Lance Lemon put their plans to open a wine shop on hold and launched RichWine, an online delivery service offering natural and biodynamic wines throughout Virginia. In 2022, after the success of that venture, they cofounded Penny’s Wine Shop, a brick-and-mortar wine bar and restaurant…
Chicago-Based Entrepreneur Brings Quality Saffron from Afghan Farms to U.S. Kitchens
Mohammad Salehi grew up on his family’s 10-acre saffron farm in Herat, Afghanistan. After serving as an interpreter for U.S. forces, he immigrated to Chicago in 2014 — but missed the rich, fragrant spices of home. When a classic Persian rice dish didn’t taste right with the saffron available in U.S. stores, he realized there…
Pittsburgh Entrepreneur Helps Businesses Succeed Online
Long fascinated by digital tools’ capacity to boost businesses’ growth, Jason Anthony started helping businesses improve their digital marketing when he was still in high school. As an adult, he continued offering his digital-marketing services as a side-gig — but when he lost his full-time sales job in 2011, he decided to turn his side-gig…
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…
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