Spotlight

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Jennifer Wood, foreground, executive director of the Rhode Island Center for Justice, helps provide legal access for those who either cannot afford it or don’t know they qualify for it. Helping out are interns Sydney Anderson, left, and Tallia Akay.   / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Legal Center helps those who need it

Spotlight 08/03/2018

The legal landscape in Rhode Island changed several years ago, when a public-interest law center focused on the needs of families and individuals with...

AGGRESSIVE GROWTH: Adam Lastrina, co-owner of Knead Doughnuts, is pictured at the company’s newest location at 135 Elmgrove Ave. on the East Side in Providence, which opened in April. The company opened its first location in downtown Providence in December 2016 and hopes to open four locations within five years.  / PBN PHOTO/KATE TALERICO

Twice is nice for Knead

Spotlight 07/27/2018

Rhode Island got its first taste of Knead Doughnuts last year, and co-owner Adam Lastrina says that ever since, it’s been wanting more. And Knead...

FAMILY HOBBY: For Michael Mancini, owner of American Muscle Car Restorations in North Kingstown, restoring cars began as a family hobby that has turned into a full-time career.  / PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Restoring ‘muscle’ in vintage cars

Spotlight 07/20/2018

For Michael Mancini, car restoration was first a family hobby, “a bug” he caught from his father and uncles. Today, Mancini owns the 17-person, North...

At (add)ventures, it’s your brand, your story

Spotlight 07/13/2018

Stephen Rosa learned to identify business solutions at a company that would grow to become a Fortune 500 giant – EMC. From his position, among...

HEAVY LOAD: Rosa Ciunci, left, and Maureen Pagliaro, co-founders of LinenDrops.com, provide linen services for vacation and short-term rental properties throughout the region.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Delivering on fresh linen

Spotlight 07/06/2018

After working in criminal justice, Maureen Pagliaro was looking for something different to work on. Inspiration came during her vacations in North Carolina when...

POPULAR DESIGNS: Robin Barrett Wilson, CEO and founder of robin b., a 3-year-old women’s fashion design and boutique in Cranston, wears one of her designs, a black sleeveless sheath dress underneath a cardigan sweater, both made in New York. The outfit on the rack next to her has a Lola & Sophie top and Parkes Smith jeans.  / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Fresh fashion looks for women in Garden City

Spotlight 06/29/2018

After studying fashion at the Community College of Rhode Island and Lesley University, followed by stints with Victoria’s Secret, Filene’s and apparel company V.F....

NEW SETUP: E. Frances Paper owners Jenni Laundon, left, director of sales, and Emily Roberts, director of operations, in what will be the new product assembly area for the greeting card and stationery design and manufacturer. The company currently leases space in Newport but will move in July to a new location, above, it purchased in Middletown. / PBN PHOTO/KATE WHITNEY LUCEY

Detailed designs lead to rapid success

Spotlight 06/22/2018

The women behind E. Frances Paper Inc. are preparing to move into their own place this summer, a renovated former auto dealership and garage...

FAMILY-RUN: Joe Audette, left, owner and president of M.R.T. Jewelers, runs his business with his wife, Janice, and son David, vice president. The family-run business offers jewelry repair and sales. / COURTESY M.R.T. JEWELERS

E.P. jeweler rooted in family

Spotlight 06/15/2018

Walk into M.R.T. Jewelers on a weekday morning and you might see owner Joe Audette in the store’s large showroom, starting his day among...

LASTING LETTERPRESS: Dan Wood, owner and founder of the Dan Wood Rhode Island letterpress print shop, works with Lois Harada, shop manager, on the Polyman 50 automatic-fed cylinder letterpress at the shop’s headquarters in Providence. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Ancient print process still impresses

Spotlight 06/08/2018

For Dan Wood, owner of Dan Wood Rhode Island letterpress print shop, “anytime the linotype runs, that’s an achievement.” The 1994 Rhode Island School of...