From This Collection

This illustrator plans to go back to teaching, but that doesn't mean she's given up on her business

Apr 22, 2024
Julia McGuigan, a freelance illustrator in Omaha, Nebraska, has decided to seek a salary to supplement her unpredictable business income.
Julia McGuigan is an illustrator, small-business owner and soon-to-be art teacher based in Omaha, Nebraska.
Courtesy Faith Gedwillo

Cargo mover waits out “catastrophic” halt in Baltimore port business 

Apr 19, 2024
"It was like, 'OK, this is a horrific event. And how are we going to recover from this?'" says Dawn Speakman, founder of Drayage Solutions in Baltimore.
Crews are still working to clear the wreckage from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Broken sewing machine? This owner and technician might be able to help.

Apr 16, 2024
Kate Sprout, owner of Alaska Sewing Machine Repair in Anchorage, Alaska says her new business has allowed her to live the lifestyle that she wants.
Kate Sprout, owner of Alaska Sewing Machine Repair in Anchorage, Alaska, working on a machine.
Courtesy Kate Sprout

This immigrant small businessman brings a taste of Bolivia to his community

Apr 12, 2024
Adrian Espinoza, owner of Empanada Club in Portland, Maine, talks about starting his business dealing with rising costs.
Adrian Espinoza, owner of Empanada Club in Portland, Maine, makes and sells Bolivian style empanadas at farmers markets, festivals and through his online shop.
Courtesy Espinoza

Starting a new business isn't easy, but this artist is ready for the challenge

Apr 8, 2024
Iranian-born artist, professor and now studio owner Sara Rastegar talks about what it's like to open a new business.
Point Studio Art offers classes for hand-printing on fabric made products.
Courtesy Sara Rastegar

It started with a web search and a love for animals. Now, she's been in the pet business for over a decade.

Apr 3, 2024
Judy Nunez, owner of Tails on Trails in Jersey City, New Jersey, says dog walking made her feel "like a functioning person."
"How can you have a bad day when you're walking a dog?" said Judy Nunez, owner of Tails on Trails.
Courtesy Nunez

Refurbishing vintage furniture for art (and profit)

Mar 27, 2024
Latoyia Smith started by painting secondhand desks for remote students. Then their parents wanted her to beautify their own furniture.
"When I began the business, I had no expectations," said Latoyia Smith, owner of Lavish Furniture Flips. "I was like, if I build it, they will come, but will they buy? And then they did."
Courtesy Smith

For public good, not for profit.

In the middle of Bourbon Country, this tea shop owner carved out a space for the sober community

Mar 20, 2024
Arielle Clark, owner of Sis Got Tea, started her business doing online sales. Now, she has a storefront in Louisville, Kentucky.
Arielle Clark, owner of Sis Got Tea in Louisville, Kentucky, says running her business has required sacrifice at times, but she "wouldn't change anything for the world."
Courtesy Clark

Owners of a Vermont trolley tour company are committed to the city that "accepted us"

Mar 12, 2024
"We want to add something good to Burlington, Vermont," says co-owner Hannington Kasagga.
"When we went to the manufacturer's warehouse and we saw our trolley, I think that was the happiest moment in my entire life," says Burlington Trolley Tours co-owner Hannington Kasagga.
Courtesy Hannington Kasagga.

Sourdough bread is at the heart of this family-owned bakery in New Mexico

Mar 8, 2024
New Mexico-based business owners André and Jessica Kempton want to keep making good food for the people in their community.
"We know that we're doing something that our neighbors want us to keep doing," Jessica  Kempton says about Wild Leaven Bakery.
Courtesy André and Jessica Kempton