Jack Beauregard
My professional background was with major medical corporations such as Johnson & Johnson and C.R. Bard. While working for the world’s largest orthopedic company, I realized that containment was to become a factor in the healthcare industry. I started the first cost containment device company in the country, and brought the idea into reality with 142 salespeople and six regional managers in 42 states. For three years, I took my CEO hat off to drive across the Charles River from Boston to Cambridge to attend Harvard Divinity School. Read more>>
Steven Cotroneo
I began my career at Lotus/IBM in 1998 after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. At Lotus I worked under the guidance of a fantastic art director – as well as other designers – that I learned so much from, some of whom I still work with today. I was just starting out at the time, so I was asked to do a lot of the grunt work that the other designers didn’t want to do such as archiving projects and preparing presentation boards. Read more>>
Allison Dressler Kramer, Evan Sussman
Evan started Hero4Hire after the web series he co created, Fizzy’s Lunch Lab was picked up by PBS Kids. The web series went on to be nominated for three Emmy Awards. After working in network television (Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and truTV) for 10 years Allison moved from NYC to Boston and became the EP at H4H, a few years later Evan and Allison became business partners growing the company from a staff of 3 to 15 employees. In the early years there were great financial struggles. We kept our staff lean and our overhead low and grew and continue to grow the company at a nice even pace. Read more>>
Ryan D. Hayward
I have been drawn to both history and architecture for as long as I can remember. You could say it is ingrained in me from my upbringing, schooling and employment. When I was very young, I had my first brush with the subjects by attending the reenactment of the American Revolutionary War battles in Lexington and Concord. It was an immersive experience among costumed interpreters and the witness houses from 1775. I was hooked on history. So much so that it became a reoccurring tradition for more than two decades. Read more>>
Karen Chipman
My background is in animal science and veterinary medicine. The animal hospital I worked at did not offer benefits. After marriage and the birth of my first born (Kurt) my husband (David) was self-employed. We needed health insurance so I applied for a job at the local hospital. There they hired me as a surgical technologist in labor and delivery in November of 1988. When I was not in the operating room I would spend my time helping women in labor. This was before epidurals were introduced in labor which meant many hours of comfort measures. Read more>>
Julie Palmer
I started with Charlie Allen Renovations in 1999, when I was hired as office manager. Over the years, I began taking on greater responsibilities and in 2013, was named president of the company. Growing up, I never imagined that I would be president of a home renovation firm. But I loved history – in fact, I received my degree in history from Tulane University – so it’s a perfect fit for me to be working with a company dedicated to remodeling and restoring period homes, in a city as rich with history as Cambridge. Read more>>
Roger Weiss
The Boston Web Co was started by Roger Weiss in the summer of 2001. Roger was a software engineer with a specialty in web applications. Working with various designers, we have created hundreds of web sites for sole proprietors, small and medium sized businesses, artists, designers, musicians, restaurants, and caterers. We now specialize in WordPress sites that allow our clients to do their own updates after they are up and running. We focus on giving great customer service and helping our clients achieve their marketing goals as painlessly as possible. Read more>>
Gail Liebhaber
I have been a career services professional for my entire work life. When I was a sophomore in a women’s college a dean asked me if I wanted to come with her as she traveled to middle schools to talk to girls about careers. That started me on a path that has taken me thru many jobs in the career services field, including providing career counseling to young women at the local Y, training career counselors and workshop leaders in the Employment Services Division for the Commonwealth, Director of an Outplacement Center for laid-off professionals, Director of Career Services at 2 graduate schools at Harvard University and starting my own business in 1992. Read more>>
Turan Cinkilic
My parents moved to the United States from Turkey in the mid 1980’s when the economy was at an all-time high. My father, 55 who was a retired electrical engineer wanted to start a business of his own, where my mom and I, age 25, could also be a part of — living the “American Dream”. Back then, becoming an entrepreneur at age 55 was an uncommon concept. After researching different fields, I suggested getting into the copying and printing industry. I had worked at a print shop for a few years and saw felt that it was a thriving business. Read more>>
Jason Morey
From my early days a child drawing and creating things was a passion that I’ve always enjoyed, I began working in the landscape industry summers in high school, in the 90’s I started working for myself, I developed my skills in landscape design, attending classes at Endicott College, Having years of hands on experience, I focused my skills in stone masonry and hardscaping, with emphasis on creating space where there wasn’t any, I like the daily challenge that this industry brings, every day is different, every project is different in most aspects and by the end of them all we have changed the landscape forever, leaving our mark, our creation for years to come. Read more>>
Brennan C. Mallonee
I’ve been working as a mental health counselor since 2010, when I finished my master’s in counseling psychology. The first few years for anyone in this field involve getting enough experience to apply for licensure and get established. It’s a chance to really double down on learning the clinical skills that make for good therapy while refining your style and honing in on your particular strengths and interests. I spent time working in residential treatment and community mental health before joining a group practice, Greenbridge Counseling & Wellness, LLC in Tyngsboro, MA, which focuses on holistic therapy. Read more>>
Karen DeBiasse
I am an Honor Graduate of Berklee School of Music and Certified Teacher by World Renowned Singing Instructor and mentor Dante Pavone. Teaching since 1982 my specialties are voice, vocal therapy and any and all instruments. My vocal technique can not only teach the most tone deaf to sing, but I can cure all vocal nodes and polyps. Lessons are taught at my studio in Somerville, Massachusetts, or online worldwide via Skype, Google Talk, Face Time, etc. All ages, levels and styles. Beginners are welcome! Read more>>
Dr. Kalyan Kalwa
I am a Physician and a Pharmacist by training and education and I come from India. I came to the U.S in 2000, my extensive education in India was not valid in the U.S and I had to find ways to survive here in the U.S. I quickly learned Information Technology (Software) and got in corporate America working for fortune 500 companies. After four years of working in corporate America, I got sick of it. I wanted to get out of corporate America but I was stuck, as I had visa restrictions. That changed in 2012 when I got my Green Card. Read more>>
Tomesha Campbell
In 2009, I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Crime and Justice. Instead of continuing to graduate school as I had originally planned I decided to follow in the steps of my parents and brother by pursuing a career in the Marine Corps. As a cross country and track runner in college I naturally excelled in cardiovascular strength, but muscular strength was an area of fitness I didn’t focus on until I joined the Marine Corps. During my time in the Marine Corps the desire to seen as an equal in a male dominated occupational specialties, led to a renewed focus on building muscular strength. Read more>>
Lauren Bateman
Once I graduated college, it was time for me to grow up and get a ‘real job’. I had been working construction over the summers and decided to pursue that until I could find something I could do with my degrees. While I didn’t mind manual labor, working outside in the dead of winter during the frigid cold of January and February wasn’t on the top of my priority list in life. I took the first job offered to me along with a 40% pay cut and I was on my way. After working for a number of years in cancer drug research, something close to my heart as a childhood cancer survivor, I learned that the typical 9-5 job wasn’t for me. Read more>>
Manny Agbottah
I founded Beyond Love N’ Care out of the desire to provide quality, compassionate care to people of all ages in the comfort of their own homes. About 17 years ago, while fulfilling my duties as a caregiver, I encountered a client who wasn’t pleased with the agency I worked for but continued to seek care. When I inquired why, he stated he loved the care I provided, going above and beyond to ensure his safety and comfort. This client always relayed me, “I wish you’d run this agency because I believe it would be more efficient and all the clients, like myself, would get the quality care we deserve. Read more>>
Brian Wainwright and Bryan Quackenbush
We started as a small business operating out of a car detailing garage in 1997 and have become a national indirect dealer for AT&T. We operate over 80 retail locations in four states and employ over 400. We are still family owned and operated. he wireless industry is one of the fastest growing sectors and we have had to evolve with it. We have always focused on people as they are the key. We are a retailer for AT&T products. We are known in our industry for delivering the best wireless experience. Read more>>
Peter Darlow and MJ Verde
You could say Darlow Christ Architects had an involuntary start. In the economic downturn of the early 90s, Catherine Christ and I found ourselves lacking for work, as so many in the design profession did during that deep recession. We had spent the prior year working for a Back Bay firm on a very intensive set of design deadlines for a Vermont resort and found that we professionally clicked very well together. With little in the way of obvious job prospects we decided to give it a go on our own. Read more>>
Jennifer Kurani
I was fortunate to grow up with wonderful parents who own their own businesses, and who were a great model of how you can challenge yourself on multiple levels as a small business owner, and have great fun doing it. My folks are inspired and generous mentors, and I was lucky to get to see the mechanics of business up close, with all of its rewards and opportunities, and it inspired me to open my own business in 2005, which has resulted in two jewelry stores, both named Zinnia -one in Burlington, VT and one in Cambridge, MA. Read more>>
John Donofrio
I grew up working for my family owned and operated roofing and remodeling company here in Boston. We specialize in custom fabrication and installation of copper and slate work. We have been involved in many successfully performed local commercial projects at churches, hospitals, & schools. Including a lot of residential renovation/restoration projects over the years as well. I am proud to serve my community and help people with the knowledge that my uncle and father have taught me. Read more>>
Elizabeth Hunter
In 2003 a small group of us–myself, my husband and sister, and a couple of friends–noticed a lack of community theatre in Somerville and decided to put on a show. We put out a hand-painted sign on College Ave and a few posters around Davis Square and got more than forty people at auditions. When we performed Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in the spring of 2004, more than four hundred people turned out to see our work and we realized there was a real hunger on both sides of the curtain for quality, affordable theatre in local spaces. Read more>>
Michael Medeiros
I got into the business as a fluke. I had a full time job in a different field and wanted to fill my spare time, so I figured I would apply as a waiter for a local suburb hotel and work part-time. I was quickly refused the position as I didn’t have any experience. So, I challenged the manager to allow me to work for free the first two weeks and if he didn’t like me then I would leave – no questions asked. Needless to say, he liked me and the rest is history. I’m now very fortunate to be given the opportunity to run my own team, the beautiful Royal Sonesta Boston, a four diamond 400 room hotel with multiple food and beverage outlets and 28,000 square feet of meeting space. Read more>>
Reiko Shiota-Akukwe
My mission for my business is to provide a childcare environment where everyone is accepted by being who they are. This mission comes from my life story. When I was young, I was different. I struggled to fit in for a long time and wondered why I was so different from others. I think back and wish there had been more support for me during that challenging time. My childhood could’ve been very different if I have the correct support. Most importantly, if I had love and support from teachers and other adults, I would’ve been more confident. Therefore it was my dream to provide support for children in need. Read more>>
Natascha Saunders
Accepted a job as the Assistant HRM for Macy’s where I was in charge of hiring and training. It’s common for youth to work in retail or food service for their first jobs. This is where I noticed students and young adults were unprepared for their interview. They weren’t dressed the part. Their writing was messy. They couldn’t anwer the questions, etc. Fast forward to using the library of my graduate school to meet with these students it was there that the librarian asked me what I was doing with all these youth coming in to ask for me. She’s the one who told me I was in career development… She gave me some books to read.. and it opened my whole world to this field. Read more>>
Fabio Montresor, Jenny Montresor, Gabriel Montresor
Our company started in 2005. Fabio was working as a cook in a chain restaurant and had the crazy idea to buy an old van with the little money we had saved up. Moving services was a part time job until we began to see the demand and movement in the little services we provided. The part time became full time, and the old red van became a new box truck. The rest is history, we are now in our 12th year of operation and have many plans to continue our legacy of quality and meet the demands of Bostonians and New Englanders alike. Read more>>
Kristian McCoy, Flor Ventura
Studio O’Baby is the product of one woman’s wish to see the face of her unborn child, and share it with her family and friends. Flor was 28 weeks pregnant, and her family buzzed with excitement in anticipation of the new baby; especially her three daughters, whose eyes grew round in amazement when they felt the baby kick against her belly. Flor had heard of developments in ultrasound technology that allowed one to see Baby’s face in 3D and capture their movements on video for adoring family to see. There were not, however, any resources for 3D/4D ultrasound on the North Shore of Boston. Read more>>
Pavlina Atanasova
When I started Master The Time Concierge I wanted to be able to provide a wide range of services for our clients. To make their life easier and worry-free, as silly as it sounds. It is very hard to find a trustworthy, honest and reliable person that will work for you. I wanted to make it easy for my clients – just call me and we will figure it out. Whether I can fix the problem or there will be a third party involved doesn’t matter. The point is that the client will need to make ONE call- to me, and I will take the necessary actions. Read more>>
