One Last Thing

Tina Guenette founded Real Access Motivates Progress, or RAMP, in Burrillville six years ago. The nonprofit works with businesses, elected officials and others to help them use best practices when working and interacting with the disabled community. / PBN FILE PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Profit from being inclusive

One Last Thing 02/14/2025

Tina Guenette | Real Access Motivates Progress CEO, president and founder Making your business inclusive is not only the right thing to do for your...

After growing up in the family business started by his grandfather, Brian Goldman took over as CEO of Providence-based Big Blue Bug Solutions seven years ago. He was recognized as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Rhode Island Small Business Person of The Year. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

To grow, simplify

One Last Thing 01/31/2025

Brian Goldman | Big Blue Bug Solutions CEO This is a special year for our company. We are celebrating 90 years of serving our community....

Chris Whitten founded Smithfield’s Premeer Real Estate in 2013 and the Premeer Gives Back Foundation in  2023. He began serving as the Realtors association’s 2025 president in November. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Giving culture starts at top

One Last Thing 01/17/2025

Chris Whitten | Premeer Real Estate Inc. broker/founder; Rhode Island Association of Realtors president A culture of giving back in business always starts at the...

Dan Faber was named CEO of Newport’s International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023. He previously served as head of the United States Tennis Association Foundation. / COURTESY INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME/MARK HIGGINS

Value your relationships

One Last Thing 01/03/2025

Dan Faber | International Tennis Hall of Fame CEO When I was appointed CEO of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, I recognized the importance...

Farouk Rajab in July was named CEO and president of the nonprofit Rhode Island Hospitality Association, after serving on the Providence-based nonprofit’s board for seven years. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION

People power hospitality

One Last Thing 12/20/2024

Farouk Rajab | Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation CEO, president At the heart of our industry, our associates are the driving...

Robert Piechota was appointed district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Rhode Island district office in September. He joined the agency in 2019 as branch manager of the Long Island, N.Y., office and spent two years as deputy district director for Delaware’s district office. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Fear and ego stall success

One Last Thing 12/06/2024

Robert Piechota | U.S. Small Business Administration Rhode Island district director I have found that there is one key trait shared by successful business leaders....

Jeanine Achin in April became CEO and president of the nonprofit Mentor Rhode Island: The RI Mentoring Partnership Inc. The certified business coach and consultant previously served as chief operations officer for the YMCA of Pawtucket. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Strong teams endure

One Last Thing 11/22/2024

Jeanine D. Achin | Mentor Rhode Island: The RI Mentoring Partnership Inc. CEO and president Attracting and retaining top talent has become more challenging in...

Karina Holyoak Wood founded the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2016. More than 500 Rhode Island small-business owners have graduated from the program. / PBN FILE PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Confidence keys success

One Last Thing 11/08/2024

Karina Holyoak Wood | Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at CCRI executive director Confidence is the word I hear most from local business leaders...

Renee Randol is a board-certified behavior analyst. She founded North Kingstown-based Navigate Behaviors LLC in 2016 and serves as executive director. / PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Focus on staff strengths

One Last Thing 10/25/2024

Renee Randol | Navigate Behaviors LLC executive director A neurodiverse workforce is one where a spectrum of employees can complement each other to achieve a...