Mike Hauser
My story with electric bicycles starts a few years ago, in 2013, with several coincidences. I had graduated from an MBA program and was very interested in starting my own business. A family visit to Germany – where I grew up – that year coincided by pure chance, I had not planned it with Eurobike, Europe’s biggest bicycle trade show. I went to the show, just for the fun of it. Read More>>
Kristin Healy
I’ve always loved planning and attending events – I just never thought it could be a career! My first job out of college was at the largest hotel in Boston, as a catering assistant. That’s where I really developed a love for planning, logistics, and all the little details that come together to make an event spectacular! After six months of working there, I was offered an opportunity to join the event planning team at a large health care company in Boston, where I gained invaluable experience planning employee recognition events and executive meetings. Read More>>
Kristine Jelstrup
I have always been interested in the body’s natural ability to heal. I studied massage 18 years ago and did that work for a few years. It’s a wonderful profession but I wanted to help my clients on a deeper more profound level. Over the next few years I studied various forms of Applied Kinesiology; Koren Specific Technique, The Morphogenic Field Technique and Bio-Kinetics Health System. Read More>>
Mark Murphy
Started with the owners of the first location in Rhode Island before they opened. For two years helped develop the brand and open the first 4 locations. Saw the potential of the business and became a franchisee opening the 5th location. There are now 12 locations opened and many more in planning stage. Read More>>
Gena Bean
I started a search for addressing my pain when I was a teenager in Boston during the 1980s. When I looked around in the world, the misery I saw was overwhelming. The misery I continue to see in the world is still overwhelming. And now, after 30 years of study, I have found some tools for addressing these miseries. Read More>>
James Nicoloro
While attending Berklee College of Music (1976) I discovered there was a demand for used pianos by fellow students and since I was a “local boy” I knew where I could fine old neglected pianos. So I would find them, fix them and sell them. Read More>>
Judi Neu
I was the president of the New School of Music in Cambridge. Friends and colleagues frequently asked me about providing music for their parties. The director of the school suggested that I start a company that specialized in booking music for special events. I became informed about the legal aspects of founding a company and when that was completed I was up and running. Read More>>
Eva Bui
I was 26 years old when I first immigrated to the US and spoke limited English. I had a three-year-old child with me, and I knew it was important to support myself and my family financially. In 2003, I became a cosmetologist, and worked for a few hair salon and spas. At the time, I liked what I did but wasn’t passionate. Read More>>
Daniel Hondor
I started fencing at seven years old, It was among the choices offered as an afterschool activity and, once I saw it, no one would ever convince me to pick anything else but playing with swords. The play lead to the real thing later on and, growing up, it became more and more intense, real training, competitions, travel. At fourteen I basically moved out of my parents’ house and spent season after season in the national training facility, 200 miles from home only to come and visit during the vacations and off season. Read More>>
Katherine Bicer
I took my first yoga class during graduate school on the advice of my doctor. That very first experience showed me how powerful yoga can be in combating stress and building self-awareness. I continued to nurture my practice and completed a teacher training in 2006. The first classes I ever taught were at the gym on the campus of the engineering firm where I worked. Read More>>
Sonia Holshouser-Lackey
Growing up in Mexico had a huge influence on my love for color, texture and eclectic, timeless design. I always loved going to markets and art fairs where the vibrancy of colors and textures abound. And, even as a child bought miniature furniture made by the artisans for my doll houses. Read More>>
Freddy Gonzalez
My fitness journey began 10 years ago when I was in a dark place. I had a rough childhood and I was dealing with my feelings in the wrong way for a number of years. My life changed when I became a father, and took full custody of my son. That’s when my fitness journey really took off! I started doing pull-ups and push-ups to deal with my feelings and it became a passion. Read More>>
Amanda Ortiz
The story starts with young Jim. Jim has been an artist since early childhood. He would be that kid in the back of the classroom that usually wan’t even there (you would find him instead, in the art room). Art has always been an influence in the way Jim lived his life. As an adolescent, he recalled that his family moved around quite a bit. Read More>>
Ray Peleckas
I was involved with sports as early as I can remember. I realized very quickly that if I was faster and stronger than the other kids I’d be better than them. This led to me working out as young as 12 years old. I remember asking for a weight bench that Christmas and I got it 😉 Read More>>
Anna Walsh
I became interested in hair dressing at a young age. With a degree from Bentley in the area of finance, I worked in Corporate America in various roles and found myself always thinking about it. When I was 26, I took a voluntary lay off and headed to cosmetology school at Lexington Minuteman Regional High School in their post graduate program. I loved every second of it. Read More>>
Laura Loewy
I found yoga while living next to the Teton National Park of Wyoming in 2012. If you enter “Jackson Hole” into google, you’ll see it’s one of the most beautiful outdoor recreation meccas in all of the United States. There I not only developed a love of hiking, white water rafting, and camping, but also fostered a deep meditation and yoga practice that took me into the mountains, rivers, and valleys of the wilderness. Read More>>
Fadayz
From early on, Fadayz had dreams of helping others realize their full potential through self expression. His drive began in the foster care system of Connecticut as a child in need of a positive outlet and continued on into adulthood as a man with a passion to help others look past their circumstances to achieve their goals. Through music, dance and motivational speaking, Fadayz is able to reach both children and adults like no one else. As a self-taught street dancer, motivational speaker , Fadayz brings his own unique form of self expression that inspires others to be who they really are. Read More>>
Danuza Aquino
I was born in the southeast of Brazil and grew-up with a background of diverse social problems including severe poverty and violence. I became very impressed by the efforts of some leaders and organizations to help individuals, families and society as a whole restoring people’s health and creating motivation for new leaders to help the world. From a very young age, I became interested in politics and activism as a way to help advocate for change that could bring improvement to people’s lives. I was also fascinated by how to heal people and their environments using simple collaborative methods and building community. Read More>>
Michelle Burns
I’ve been a stylist for 9 years around the Boston area. I ventured out on my own in 2015. I rent a chair in Somerville. Marilyn James Health and beauty is my personal business. Read More>>
Kelly Golia
I’ve always been a party planner at heart. From my little sisters’ birthdays, to to college campus celebrations, to nonprofit fundraisers, I’ve somehow consistently managed to find ways to plan events, big and small. I started college as an architecture major, then transitioned to graphic design, and ultimately graduated Northeastern University with a degree in Human Services, but through countless majors (and countless conversations trying to convince my parents that I knew what I was doing… I didn’t) I still always kept in the back of my mind that, “if I wasn’t doing this, I’d want to be a wedding planner.” Read More>>
Cristina Grossi
I was playing collegiate soccer at Loyola and was going to school to be an orthopedic surgeon. When I suddenly torn my ACL and needed surgery. While in the hospital, I asked the doctor to tell me what his day looked like and he explained to me that he started at 6 am and ended at 10 pm. I thought to myself that I wanted a family one day and I wanted to be able to have a life., I wanted to work to live not live to work. Read More>>
Ching Kao
Firebeat was founded in March 2009 by Andre’ Strinadko and Ching Kao, through their love for ballroom dance and for each other. Their shared dream was to create a sanctuary where people would feel safe to explore their potential, discover self-acceptance, and embrace dance as a modality for healing body, mind, and spirit. Read More>>
Ashley Diabo
I officially launched Ashley Diabo Photography a few weeks ago, however, it was founded in early 2016. It started out as fun for me and eventually became a hobby; then a talent. Here I am 7 years later, a nanny, and I’ve started mixing my photography with nannying – which has been an amazing experience. Read More>>
Luiz Soares
LUVA Hair Day Spa started over 20 years ago with a friendship between myself and my business partner Valquiria Comin. We met working at a Beauty Salon in Cambridge MA, then both of us moved to the Financial District in Boston and till today we still work together. About 5 years ago, during an informal conversation, Valquiria and I decided that was time to open our own place. Our concept was to have one place where our guests would get all their beauty needs done under one roof. Read More>>
Dalit Waller
I have been working in Health care since 1989, and as an Acupuncturist since 2009. When I was in acupuncture school I started reading about ‘community acupuncture’ as a way to make acupuncture affordable for many people. I got very excited about this idea. I started doing community acupuncture in 2010 to learn the ropes. Read More>>
Roberta, Jarueba Cook, Taylor
BodipHat Nutrition and Fitness was founded by Roberta Cook and Jarueba Taylor back in 2013. It was a chance meeting at a local gym that brought the two of them together. They both had similar interest in fitness and nutrition and both were currently working in the health and fitness industry with their solo companies. They became instant friends and workout partners. Read More>>
Connie Nye Clark
I started my planning company 17 years ago after working for various venues and catering companies.
We specialize in events at unique properties and are experts with tented outdoor events. We have a passion for the industry, focus on vendor relationships and hospitality as a foundation of what we do. Read More>>
Jan Taylor
As a holistic health coach, personal trainer, and Pilates instructor, I coach clients on creating meaningful health and fitness goals to optimize their energy and to find peace in their body and mind through personal and small group consultation. My passion for health and fitness traces back to the 1980s as a young girl jumping along to Jane Fonda videos and begging my mom to wear the gray Flashdance sweatshirt with the cut off neck. From these fashionable beginnings, I focused my energy on performance and the theatrical arts and received a bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University, all the while taking an aerobics class whenever my schedule allowed. Read More>>
Monitor Gigante & Monitor Gafanhoto
We both moved to the Boston area about 10 years ago from Western NY and we wanted to continue training the style of capoeira Angola we were taught by our teachers. When we arrived in Boston, we were pleased to find a rich and welcoming capoeira community, but we wanted to maintain fidelity to our approach. We both come from athletic backgrounds, including snow sports, surfing, gymnastics, and competitive team sports, but capoeira goes far beyond the physical. Read More>>
Bimal Nepal
Nepali journalist turned professional photographer in the USA since 2009. I moved to the USA in 1999 and started a photography business in 2009. After working as a fashion and modeling photographer in InterFace, Boston and later in 2012 I started my own Photography business in Cambridge, MA. I am a commercial and editorial photographer based in Cambridge, MA. Read More>>
Jeannine Adipietro
I was a master colorist in NY. I used traditional, major label color brands for years. I became interested in organic food and gardening and sustainability. My husband and used organic and natural products for ourselves and our children at home. At that time, I was still going to work everyday and using hair coloring products with lots of chemicals. Read More>>
David “Dave” Chandler
Dave Chandler, ‘The Boston Magician‘, has been performing magic for over 20 years. His engagements have ranged from private parties to distinguished public relations events. Dave is a member and touring artist of the New England Foundation for the Arts, and he performs nationally. He’s also been a featured performer at the World famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA. Read More>>
Zoya Derman
In July 2010, I was invited to participate in one of the fabulous fashion events in Boston organized by a local event coordinator and I presented a small collection of 4 dresses, modeled by my sister and my friends. Then more fashion shows followed, and I was hooked on the idea of creating and sewing for the public, the idea that someone could be benefiting from my skills. I then decided to take a chance on opening my own boutique. In July 2012, with tremendous help of my now Konstantin, Zoya Designs opened its doors to the public on 1267 Broadway St, Somerville, MA. Read More>>
Mikhail Glabets
I studied film and graphic design and spent 10 years working as a graphic designer before becoming a photographer. I worked for small design firms and large corporate brands, doing everything from motion graphics to User Experience Design. This experience has definitely given me an understanding of strong compositions and interesting use of light, which I bring with me on every shoot. Read More>>
Fred Levy
I guess it’s possible for it to be smooth but it wasn’t for me. I’ve been fortunate that I’ve got a supportive family who believe in me and the work I do. If it wasn’t for them, I would have never been able to leave my day job to pursue my passion for photography. Read More>>
Bill Polk
Born in Boston, MA at Chelsea Naval Hospital March 17, 1956 Grew up in Boston’s Roxbury, Dorchester neighborhoods. Lived through the Dark Days of Boston’s racially divided times until 6th grade when my family moved to Randolph, MA which changed my life as one of the few blacks in that town. Graduated from Randolph High School in 1973. With poor health most of my life I began studying martial arts and weight lifting from books to try to improve my wellbeing. Read More>>
Jenna Palm
When I entered college, I had aspirations of opening a dance studio and chose to study entrepreneurship and small business management. In my free time, I took advantage of the free yoga classes that were offered on my campus and gradually fell in love with the practice. My focus shifted from dance to yoga, though my teaching is still inspired by my background in dance and gymnastics. Read More>>
Nicoline Valkenberg
I had been teaching Yoga full-time – mostly at larger Yoga centers across the river- for about 5 years or so. I never had the ambition to open a yoga studio, but the opportunity arose to take over the lease of our space from a previous yoga studio in my own neighborhood, and that got me thinking. I had enough of a community of students and wonderful fellow teachers who were interested in working with me. I had also worked administratively at yoga studios before, so I had a good sense of the business-side. Read More>>
Hallie Krechevsky
Having majored in Spanish at Brandeis and unsure about what I wanted to do with my life, I started working in 1982 for a produce/flower shop in Huron Village called Le Jardin. I thought I would last 6 months, I stayed for 13 years. For five years I worked with produce. When I was offered the opportunity to manage the flower business, I jumped at the chance. Read More>>
Paula Donovan
When I began working as a stylist at 18, it was the “family business;” my father and brother were also stylists and owned the salon Prime Cuts. I found hairdressing repetitive and lacking in personal challenge, and I was happy to quit once I married. However, two years after my son was born, I was divorced and needed to find a job. My brother Richard understood my desire for financial independence as a single mom, and he convinced me to learn Vidal Sassoon’s new “cut and blow-dry” from Europe. Read More>>
Peter McCarthy
Peter McCarthy, a Quincy native, began his culinary career working in kitchens during high school. Peter attended the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his graduating class. After graduation he began working at The Bostonian Hotel as a breakfast cook. Peter worked his way through the ranks and was ultimately the Executive Chef of Seasons at the Bostonian Hotel. Read More>>
