“With the pandemic, a lot of people saw Asian Americans as the virus itself which hurts a lot because there’s hate,” said Mathew Wong, co-founder of Tea and Milk in New York City. “As an Asian-American business owner, it’s rough because we don’t know what’s going to happen to our staff and business “All we… Read more
Most of the regulars at Mina’s World have never stepped foot inside. The Philadelphia cafe opened just 18 days before COVID-19 shut down the city, dashing any hopes for a bustling hangout spot. Knowing they had to reimagine their business model, co-owners Sonam Parikh and Kate Egghart found a way to serve the community from… Read more
Female entrepreneurs are at the forefront of shaping a new business landscape—from identifying opportunities that serve specific customer needs to representing and providing for marginalized communities. Women represent 42% of all business owners (2019). To put that in perspective, that number was only 4.6% in 1972 (AMEX, State of Women-Owned Business Report). And although women… Read more
Out-of-the-box thinking, growth from mistakes, and quick pivots have helped businesses find success during the pandemic, serving as bright spots in a time that has been difficult for local businesses. Businesses have discovered new ways to service their customers, from expanding into new services to offering virtual experiences—which has pleasantly surprised and accommodated customers and… Read more
Akera Sellers traveled extensively as a young professional in finance—and during that time, he had his fair share of coffee. He soon became fixated not only on the quality of the coffee beans, but on the freshness in which each cup was served. Exchanging banks for beans, Sellers founded Brickhouse Gourmet Coffee Tea & Co.,… Read more
Through all of the challenges and hardships of 2020, small businesses have exhibited more resilience and strength than ever. With that, this year has also produced an abundance of priceless advice and tips from business owners across the country. Check out the most valuable insights we heard in our interviews throughout the year. 1. Be… Read more
Nestled in the quaint Chicago suburb of Evanston stands Hecky’s Barbecue. The neighborhood barbecue joint has been humbly rooted at the same street corner since 1983 when it first opened with no more than $100 in the cash register. Named Best Suburban barbecue by Better Magazine, Hecky’s attracts locals for its mastery of southside Chicago-style… Read more
Specialty coffee roaster and military veteran Luis Arteaga never thought he would own a coffee shop, let alone roast his own beans. Before taking over Calusa Coffee Roasters—a small-batch, specialty coffee roaster and coffee shop in Oakland Park, Florida—Arteaga served in the Marine Corps for six years. While searching for work after returning home, Arteaga… Read more
Latinx-owned businesses have a powerful, widespread impact on local communities. In fact, the Latinx business community has opened more small businesses than any other demographic in the United States. Three successful Latinx restaurants shared their wisdom with us, opening up about their backgrounds, challenges, and the highlights of being a business owner. From giving tips… Read more
As Dave Puncochar was fixing up his old Victorian home, he was intrigued by a niche subculture: the salvaging and repurposing of old wood. This art form takes underappreciated lumber and polishes it up to be used again for furniture, flooring, decorative accents, and more. With a newfound admiration for the unique, weathered touch that… Read more