Buying an existing business has many benefits, but it also comes with its own set of bureaucratic challenges. Ralph Caprilozzi found this out first-hand when trying to buy the business he helped build. Caprilozzi grew up making wine with his grandfather and started working at Shelter Rock Winery when he was 19. The “winery” is […]
At a time when many craft breweries are closing their doors, Urban Lodge Brewing Company is booming. So, what’s their secret? Smart growth. While their delicious beer and community-oriented business strategy are key to the recipe for success, so is expert guidance from Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) Advisor Shelly Koehler. Co-owners—and brothers-in-law—Michael Gerrity […]
What started as a pandemic-era interest for Matt Pavia and his business partner has turned into a booming business. Stuck at home during lockdown, they both started exploring the world of collectible coins—from YouTube to trade shows—and buying and selling precious metals. While they certainly are not the first team to turn a new hobby […]
For Ron and Cristine Kern, owners of Prism Specialty Restoration, helping people put their lives back together after disaster strikes is personal. So, when Ron found himself evaluating a number of franchise options after a long career at Pratt & Whitney came to an end, a company then-called Electronic Restoration Services (ERS) stood out. Having […]
Sometimes, growing a business is about more than just increasing revenue—it’s also a chance to grow your community. At Ewe and You Fiber Arts the move from the quaint but tiny original location in Windsor to a new, more spacious store in East Windsor was a chance to diversify their offerings and provide more spaces […]
HAYVN’s name tells you everything you need to know about this coworking space that puts an emphasis on culture and community. Founder Felicia Rubinstein started her first HAYVN location in 2019 after years of working for herself and for big tech companies. “I needed a place like this throughout my professional journey,” she says. Guided […]
Fernando Velez took a circuitous route to the chocolate business. From spending days on his uncle’s cacao farm in Ecuador to working as a graphic designer to traveling the world with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings—all the while looking for great chocolate—to making sweet treats at home and selling them at pop-up stores, it […]
Tucked away in a corner office high above one of Hartford’s premiere independent cinemas and alternative arts organizations is another building block in Connecticut’s growing creative scene: Hartford Film Company. Founded in 2023 by TJ Noel-Sullivan with the intention of bringing the highest standards in film production to the city of Hartford, the company’s dynamic team of homegrown talent specializes in the production of narrative films, commercials, and more. In 2024, Hartford […]
When you think of a corporate environment, a spa probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. You might picture harsh lighting, office cubicles, and meetings that could have been a phone call. Yet even the salon and spa industry has its own corporate world. Paulina Lacapra began her esthetics career in a similar […]
“Find a niche and fill it.” It’s solid advice for any aspiring business owner, and after years of working in the manufacturing industry, Anne Strobel was sure she had found a niche that needed filling. Finding a reliable source of pallets was a problem she struggled with during her many years in manufacturing. As an […]
Dr. Shivanna Subramani-Gonzalez, DNP, FNP-C, and her husband Jeff Gonzalez believe that even when women are doing everything “right” — seeing a primary care provider, an OB/GYN, and even a therapist — their care often remains fragmented, forcing patients to connect the dots between providers. But they also knew they could help relieve that burden. […]
In 2024, despite a successful career in finance and years of service in the Army National Guard, Michael Palladini found himself searching for something more fulfilling. Like many before him, he found inspiration abroad. While visiting his grandfather in Italy, Michael noticed an entire country slow down to enjoy a good cup of coffee. “Why can’t we have that here?” Michael wondered. It was during another trip — this time to Austin, TX — he answered that question […]
Many women struggle with hair loss, few turn that problem into a thriving business—but that’s exactly what Ivanny Soto did. More than a decade ago, her mother started to experience significant hair loss related to a health condition, and Ivanny recognized the potential in the homemade hair mask her mother created. “She combined natural ingredients… […]
For many, food is synonymous with comfort, and that includes Daniella Brooks, owner of Dani’s Pantry LLC and founder of Cucina Daniella. “I grew up in an Italian family where sharing food was a form of love,” she said. After growing up surrounded by the warmth of Italian cooking, she found she wanted to turn […]
What do you get when you mix a love of vinyl, vintage music memorabilia, and a little help from CTSBDC? Well, if you’re Chris Bugbee, you turn that cocktail into CBug’s Records LLC. Tucked inside The Vintage Shops — which is in East Windsor’s historic Warehouse Point district — CBug’s Records offers a carefully curated […]
Dominika Smaga, a registered nurse, launched Rehydrate IV Infusion on June 24, 2024, with a focus on empowering individuals to take control of their health. “As a nurse, I’ve always been passionate about helping people—there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone regain their strength and improve their health,” she says. Dominika wanted to make a […]
Located at 10 Love Lane, Ovelle Coffee LLC has quickly become part of a vibrant local economy in Hartford, CT. Ovelle specializes in supplying Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, a product known for its unique flavor and origin. The company holds an import license from the Jamaican Agricultural and Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and works directly […]
Powell Mental Health (PMH) was founded by Dr. Georgia Powell, DHA, MBA, MHA, in response to the intense demands of individuals needing assistance to pivot through their health and wellness journey. Over the past few years, the world has encountered the COVID-19 pandemic, which has triggered a global health crisis and consequently adversely impacted the […]
Creative Jam Art Co., established in April 2023, is a women-owned art studio providing diverse art experiences. The business specializes in a unique paint splatter room where customers can throw paint on a canvas, ceramic figurines, or other surfaces. This innovative concept is led by Marlo Marrero Fernandez, Irmgard Sauntinez, and Brendaliz Ayende, who came […]
The Bristol Bazaar, an indoor maker’s market in Bristol, Connecticut, is more than just a business. It supports other small business owners by providing a year-round space to grow their side hustle into full-time businesses. In addition to retail spaces for handmade products, The Bristol Bazaar includes Yellow King Bristol, a coffee and cocktail lounge, […]