Spotlight

EXPANDING SERVICES: Brian Gross, left, creative partner, speaks with Jeremy Crisp, managing partner, at Nail Communications in Providence. The longtime advertising agency recently launched a public relations arm called Nail[PR].  / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Nailing client messaging

Spotlight 05/03/2019

Known as “the father of public relations,” the late Edward Bernays probably would be proud. Today, “PR people,” as they’re sometimes called, outnumber journalists...

GUIDING STARTUPS: Venture Mentoring Service of Rhode Island provides free mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the Ocean State. From left, Dan Horne, mentor; Paul Olean, executive director; and Jarrid Hall, foreground, of GAB-on, a parent-engagement tool for students.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

At Venture Mentoring, the best advice is free

Spotlight 04/26/2019

When Paul Olean retired and returned to his home state of Rhode Island, he was dismayed by the then-high unemployment rate. He wanted to...

OUTSOURCED: Kenny Rounds is the owner and CEO of Braver Technology Solutions, a business that provides information technology tech and solutions to businesses in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Braver a tech problem-solver

Spotlight 04/19/2019

When business owners need help understanding technology, and seeing the potential pitfalls of a system, they need a trusted consultant. For many small businesses,...

CONSISTENT GROWTH: Steere Engineering is a civil and structural engineering firm started nine years ago by founder Patricia Steere. It’s grown to employ 30, with $4 million in annual revenue. From left, Alison Steere, project manager; Patricia Steere, president; and Thomas Steere, 3D CAD specialist.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Risk rewards Steere founder

Spotlight 04/12/2019

In the business world, good things often happen to deserving people when they work hard and, perhaps most importantly, take a risk. For Patricia Steere,...

HOMEMADE BEGINNINGS: From left, store manager Brandi White with co-owners Steph and Jake Kopper at Shore Soap in Newport. The Koppers opened the shop at the suggestion of friends and family who were impressed with the couple’s homemade 12-bar batches of soap, which began as a hobby.  / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Shore’s scents of luxury

Spotlight 04/05/2019

For Jake and Steph Kopper, the entrepreneurial spark came from a gift of luxury soap. Interested in obtaining more but turned off by the price...

FRESH FRIENDSHIP: Fresh Mode Screen Printing co-owners Jake Fahrenholz, left, and Ethan Colby work on hoodies for a client. The pair became friends at the age of 15, attended college together and opened Fresh Mode in 2006.  / PBN PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

Fresh Mode’s custom prints make a mark

Spotlight 03/29/2019

Going into business with a high school friend might seem like a mistake. But the partnership behind Fresh Mode Screen Printing Inc. includes a...

CARDS AND CAUSES: Swipe for a Cause, a company in North Kingstown that provides payment systems for debit and credit cards for other companies to use, takes a portion of the proceeds and donates them to charities. From left, Alan Kerr, vice president of strategic alliances; Kim Kennedy, account relationship manager; Jonathan Sayles, vice president of sales; and Brad Robinson, operations manager.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Swipe for profit-sharing

Spotlight 03/22/2019

Andrew and Margaret Kinnecom freely admit the payment-processing business doesn’t have the best reputation. The industry provides merchants with point-of-service devices, so their customers...

FILLING A NEED: Joshua Ellison, right, founder of Edge and End, with employee Jason Harritos, oversees an enterprise that helps people with developmental disabilities to have work experiences and hopefully employment through woodworking.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Edge & End uses woodworking as a tool to help disadvantaged...

Spotlight 03/15/2019

Joshua Ellison, the son of Pawtucket-based Lorimer Studios LLC’s founder, cites an “interesting serendipity” as the inspiration behind Edge & End LLC, founded in...

FAMILY TRUCKERS: Commodity Haulers Express is a regional truckload transportation company based at Quonset Business Park. From left, Dan Izzi, James Izzi Jr., their dad, James Izzi, and his brother Robert P. Izzi, the business’s founder and owner.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Have cargo, will travel

Spotlight 03/08/2019

Water, coffee and rolls of newsprint have combined to create a strong business for a Rhode Island trucking family. Commodity Haulers Express Inc., owned by...