Interviewee: Alisa Sickora (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Alisa has been giving this nutty world texture, absurdity and occasional catharsis for nearly three decades of making and teaching. A world builder at heart, she produces, designs, and fabricates for theatre, film, themed entertainment and immersive experiences. Specializing in performance objects in leather

Interviewee: Janelle Rolke (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. We bring hands on climate education into local classrooms to create lifelong environmental stewardship and action. Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative. The vision for Change is Simple

Interviewee: Teresa Nelson (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. I founded Oceanic Ledgerworks because I wanted to give businesses, solopreneurs, and non‑profits the kind of clear, reliable, stress‑free financial support I wished I had when I started my own business. I’m detail‑driven by nature, but I also love collaborating and finding practical solutions;

Interviewee: Shira Moss (She/Her/Hers) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. My name is Shira Moss and I am a teaching and performing artist. Although my skills span into visual and movement arts, my main initiative in joining Creative Collective is to promote my musical projects for which I am the drummer/percussionist. I am looking

Interviewee: Joshua Nagle (He/Him) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. We are a locally focused group that is looking to build community and promote local artists. Games help people bond, make friends and talk about difficult things in a more accessible way. They are great for mental health and stimulation. They create unique memorable

Hestia Creations Celebrates 40 Years of Handcrafted Artistry in Marblehead Woman-owned giftware company marks four decades of custom ornaments, ceramics, and creative experiences Handcrafted Tradition Spans 40 Years on the North Shore Hestia Creations, a woman-owned leader in handcrafted custom giftware and home décor, is proudly celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded by artist Linda MacDonald in 1986 and led since

Interviewee: Brita Potenza (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Born in the belief that the good things in life ought to be shared and that great food and what happens around a dinner table are the key to human connection. With Flour in Her Hair is a catering company and event space that

Bakers Island Light’s Historic Fresnel Lens Returns Home After 50 Years Essex Heritage launches $20,000 campaign to conserve and display original lighthouse lens Historic Lighthouse Lens Comes Home to Salem The 4th Order Fresnel lens that once guided ships safely into the Port of Salem for decades has come home. On May 9, 2026, Essex National Heritage Commission, Inc. (Essex

Interviewee: Michele Cobban Barden (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Odd Cod Studio is a small coastal craft studio on the North Shore of Massachusetts. We make things by hand; wooden signs, nautical ropework, custom-engraved boards, and seasonal ornaments, all of it rooted in the landscapes and maritime history of New England. The

Interviewee: Andrea Kennedy (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. I own a small boutique branding and web design studio for service-based businesses. A lot of the people I work with feel like their value isn’t coming across as clearly as it should, even though they’re doing great work. I help translate what they