Everybody’s Business - Providence Business News

FILLING A NEED: Alexander “Brave Journey” Sterling says he started Rhode Island-based nonprofit Turtle Island Community Capital to help foster economic sovereignty in Native communities.  PBN PHOTO/ELIZABETH GRAHAM

Everybody’s Business: Looking to give Indigenous entrepreneurs a big lift

Entrepreneurship 12/05/2025

When Alexander “Brave Journey” Sterling returned to his home state of Rhode Island in 2022, he asked local members of his tribe, the Ramapo...

CALM CANINES: Sheila Rose, right, and Ashly Rose operate and own The Peaceful Pack, a luxury in-home dog boarding, day care and pet care service in Johnston. They are pictured with, from left, an Australian shepherd named Max; a pitbull mix named Portia; and a Maltipoo named T’Co.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Everybody’s Business: Providing a calming touch for dogs

Entrepreneurship 11/07/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 63rd installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

FAMILY ATMOSPHERE: Mery Polanco, left, owner and director of Nery’s Land Learning Center, and teaching assistant Felipa Ponte, third from right, work with kids at the day care center in Pawtucket. PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Everybody’s Business: Day care offers kids a sense of belonging

Education 10/10/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 62nd installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

TEEING IT UP: Jon Mason, founder and owner of Swing Juice LLC in Pawtucket, says the golfing apparel company has hit its stride. It helps, he says, that the game has grown more diverse in recent years and continues to do so.  PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

Pawtucket entrepreneur discovers his niche in golf apparel

Entrepreneurship 09/12/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 61st installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

HOT SPOT: Chef Subat Dilmurat, owner of Jahunger LLC, a Uyghur restaurant in Providence, prepares one of his signature dishes, Jahunger Noodles.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

He serves Uyghur food to build a loyal following

Entrepreneurship 08/01/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 60th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

GIVING GUIDANCE: Long-time basketball coach Ramel “Mel” Moore says he realized during the COVID-19 pandemic that his skills with leading athletes on the court serve him well as a life coach.  PBN PHOTO/RUPERT WHITELEY

Everybody’s Business: Moore found his coaching applied beyond the court

Entrepreneurship 06/06/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 58th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

BACK ON THE MENU: Michael Durrett Jr. and Carolyn Durrett purchased the Becky’s BBQ smokehouse restaurant in Middletown last year following the retirement of the former longtime owner, and they have breathed new life into the neighborhood favorite after reopening in August. PBN PHOTO/DAVID HANSEN

Everybody’s Business: Durrett brings Carolina flavor to Becky’s BBQ in Middletown

Entrepreneurship 05/09/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 57th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

DIVERSE BRANDS: Crystal DaCruz started Boxed in Black, which curates gift boxes filled with items sold and made by Black- and brown-owned businesses, because she felt those products were being underrepresented in the market.  PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Everybody’s Business: She’s a champion for Black and brown businesses

Entrepreneurship 04/11/2025

(Editor’s note: This is the 56th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views...

TAKING A TALLY:  Of the first 50 minority  business owners featured  in the Everybody’s Business  monthly series since August 2020, 30 were men and 20  were women. Two of those businesses have closed, and  another is in receivership – all three of them operated by men. PBN ILLUSTRATION/ANNE EWING

Everybody’s Business: Minority owners resilient in face of uncertainty

Cover Story 03/28/2025

Providence Business News’ Everybody’s Business monthly series began with the intention of providing a voice to minority business owners in the tumultuous summer of...