Sarah Francis, Author at Providence Business News

128 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

LEVELING UP: Amy Lockaby went from manager to owner of Evolve Apothecary and Spa when former owner Sue Benzuly returned to her nursing career during the COVID-19 pandemic. PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Evolve spa owner helps clients recharge and reconnect

Business Women 10/09/2026

There’s an origin story behind Amy Lockaby’s winding career to become a massage therapist and business owner, and it dates to her grandmother, who...

CHEERFUL CHEF: Cedrick Almonacy, sous chef at Celeste restaurant in Narragansett, puts the finishing touches on a pizza. Almonacy said he has enjoyed cooking since childhood. PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

KITCHEN DREAMS: High turnover leaves culinary jobs plentiful

Digital Special Editions 10/09/2026

With an estimated 3,000-plus restaurants and 57,000 food service employees, Rhode Island’s culinary industry is the state’s second-largest private employer. That makes it a...

DOULA DETAILS: Melissa Bowley, founder and CEO of doula service Flourish Collective Inc., doing business as Flourish Care, in her Newport office. PBN PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

Bowley is connecting mothers with doulas to have successful births

Business Women 09/11/2026

Melissa Bowley took a roundabout journey to become the founder and CEO of doula service Flourish Collective Inc., doing business as Flourish Care, which...

Gilbane’s people-first culture puts mental health and wellness at the center

Health Services 09/11/2026

PBN Healthiest Employers Awards 2026 1,500-4,999 EMPLOYEES 3. Gilbane Inc. CEO (or equivalent): Edward T. Broderick, CEO Full-time U.S. employees: 3,300 With some 3,300 employees globally, Gilbane Inc., a...

Ocean State Job Lot builds a culture where healthy associates come...

Health Services 09/11/2026

PBN Healthiest Employers Awards 2026 1,500-4,999 EMPLOYEES 4. Ocean State Job Lot CEO (or equivalent): Marc Perlman, principal owner and CEO; Alan Perlman and Steve Aronow, principal...

Kelly Nevins

Nonprofit 08/28/2026

PBN Leaders & Achievers Awards 2026 KELLY NEVINS Women’s Fund of Rhode Island CEO When Kelly Nevins graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1990...

Farouk Rajab

Food & Agriculture 08/28/2026

PBN Leaders & Achievers Awards 2026 FAROUK RAJAB Rhode Island Hospitality Association CEO and president Making people comfortable is in Farouk Rajab’s DNA. Rajab was raised in...

SHINING BRIGHT:  Rich Reynolds, left, fabrication supervisor, speaks with Jessica Mularski, majority owner, at Renova Lighting Systems Inc. in Warwick. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Mularski is lighting the way for her clients

Business Women 08/14/2026

Drab paint, tile floors and fluorescent strip lights, all wrapped in a mood of dreary desperation – for those forced to spend time there,...

INN THE KNOW: Monica Hopton has owned and operated the Christopher Dodge House, a 14-room bed-and-breakfast in Providence, since 2002. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Through thick and thin, she keeps urban B&B running

Business Women 07/03/2026

When Monica Hopton was a teenager, her father and stepmom bought a bed-and-breakfast on Nantucket. The island surroundings were lovely, and the B&B was...