Owner of crafts and gift shop brings local artists' work to her community

Nov 8, 2023
Ashley Morken of Unglued in Fargo, North Dakota, has been expanding her staff and adjusting to new responsibilities.
Ashley Morken, owner of Unglued in Fargo, North Dakota. "I really feel the responsibility to keep this sustainable, to be able to keep it going," she said.
Courtesy Morken

From e-commerce to brick and mortar

Oct 26, 2023
After years selling on Etsy, Mimi Striplin of The Tiny Tassel in South Carolina saw a "need to create a space for people that looked like me.”
The Aneris Collective

A Tulsa sneaker store deals with a down market

Oct 24, 2023
"There are opportunities in down markets," said owner Venita Cooper, whose entrepreneurial abilities could help her tackle the challenge.
"I love sneakers, but I also just really love markets," said Venita Cooper of Silhouette Sneakers & Art. "And there are opportunities to be had in down markets."
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images

For this Michigan business owner, wage hikes are tied to price hikes

Oct 16, 2023
Annie Lang Hartman, owner of Wild Lettie, is planning ahead. And one of her biggest concerns is payroll.
"We're kind of settling into fall, which is a little bit quieter for us," said Annie Lang Hartman of Wild Lettie. Above, the interior of one of her shops.
Courtesy Lang Hartman

With higher interest rates, small businesses and lenders proceed with caution

Oct 10, 2023
Only a quarter of small businesses say they're getting the credit they need, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
Some banks have been more cautious about lending to certain sectors of the economy that aren’t doing so well. That includes commercial real estate.
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images

These businesses made it through the hardest part of the pandemic. Then they closed.

Oct 9, 2023
The pandemic is still having a domino effect on small businesses. Here's what happened to three of them.
Because data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics lags, its unclear how many businesses have shuttered in the last few years.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

This Seattle candle maker is hoping to see "an uptick" this fall

Sep 15, 2023
While it's currently the "slow season" in her shop, candle maker Colina Bruce is hoping to see an uptick in October.
"We did a lot of vendors markets this summer where we literally were just, every single weekend, trying to make up for the slowness that was happening in the shop," said Colina Bruce (right).
Courtesy Bruce.

For public good, not for profit.

After a flat August, this North Carolina toy store is already looking forward to the holidays

Sep 14, 2023
For this toy store owner, the biggest challenge right now is prepping for the holidays.
"We are selling a lot of Halloween products right now," said Irene Kesselman, owner of Ali Cat Toys in Carrboro, NC. "And certainly we'll move into the Christmas season shortly thereafter."
Ariel Jackson

Mississippi record store owner hopes "greatest hits" compilations sound good to collectors

Sep 13, 2023
While vinyl record prices remain a concern for Phillip Rollins of OffBeat, he thinks lower-priced "greatest hits" albums may entice customers.
Phillip Rollins, owner of OffBeat in Jackson, Mississippi, says collections of popular work by artists such as En Vogue and Notorious B.I.G. could get more people interested in buying records.
Courtesy Rollins

Why are businesses pessimistic about the economy?

Sep 12, 2023
In August, for the 20th straight month, business owners scored their outlook below average.
Rising labor costs and the inflation of prices for necessary goods are two factors making business owners less optimistic.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images