Interviewee: Melissa Woods (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. I started Trued Apparel as a creative side-project in 2019. I’ve loved fashion all my life, and one day I decided that I would do whatever it takes to be able to get a slow fashion line off the ground. I wanted to create

Interviewee: Yvonne Frontera (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. We are a mother and son team offering Hispanic delicacies with some international fusion. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner appetizers, main dishes, desserts & homemade tropical drinks. Corporate boxed lunches & catering are also available. In 2018 & 2019 we donated around 300

Interviewee: J. Michael Wheeler (He/him) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Reality Lab®️, creates AR (Augmented Reality) apps for business, art, and communication. 
With AR we are pioneering a new media, defining the vocabulary of AR, and seizing the opportunity to tell stories that inspire, awe, and delight our users. Tell us a bit

Interviewee: Brian Moeller (He/Him) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Thistle Piercing brings the high-quality, professional piercing studio experience you’d expect in the city right to the heart of Salem. Founded by skilled piercers Brian Moeller and Joe Juliano, Thistle is dedicated to offering safe, precise, and beautifully executed piercings in a welcoming and

Interviewee: Linda Finn (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. The Woman’s Friend Society provides affordable housing for women in a safe and supportive environment in the historic Emmerton House. Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative. We offer

Interviewee: Patrick Sporleder (He/Him) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. I’m Patrick, a photographer based in Salem. I specialize in creating images that help local businesses showcase their products in the best light—literally! Whether it’s capturing the intricate details of fine jewelry or highlighting handcrafted goods, I work to create visuals that not only

Interviewee: Lisa Lewis (She/Her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. BomBom Beads creates handcrafted jewelry with joy, intention and functionality. Consciously strung together by hand, our jewelry and beads celebrate self-expression, define personal style and tap into the power of nostalgia. Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do.

Interviewee: Mandy Lobraico (she/her/hers) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. We are a family business, selling as well as designing/creating and producing custom luxury rubber ducks. We fell in love with rubber duck stores throughout our travels in Europe, where rubber ducks are spreading like wild fire. We are excited to bring this European

Interviewee: Tori Henry (she/her/hers) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. Lightmark Creative is a video and marketing production company. We specialize in helping organizations tell their stories and connect with their audiences through high-quality, creative content. Our team provides a full range of services, from concept development to production and post-production, ensuring that each

Interviewee: Anita Shriver (she/her) In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative. I’m Anita, a floral designer with a deep passion for crafting visually captivating spaces and experiences. My approach merges dramatic design sensibilities with a love of storytelling to create unforgettable and one-of-a-kind events. Tell us a bit about you and why you do what