Once on a career path in criminal justice, Casey Norman realized her passion was something she learned in childhood—sewing. Today, the seamstress runs Altered Ego in Bismark, ND, which offers tailoring, alterations and garment restyling services. “I work on all types of clothing, but I’m most passionate about
Creative Entrepreneur
Candlemaker Gloria Young is the spark behind Hudson Avenue Company, a New England-based business. In her interview, Gloria shares her unexpected beginnings, noting the chance events that led her from making candles as a hobby to selling them in retail shops. Continue reading Gloria’s story below. How did your
Meet Tracy Mattson Baking is a craft that merges creativity and science, and few experiences compare to the first bite of a just-baked cookie. We spoke with Tracy Mattson, the founder of Cookie Take a Bite in Santa Rosa, Calif., about her culinary journey. Tracy didn’t always work in
Marrione Manalo is an Asian-American illustrator. She and her aunt, writer Fairlane Raymundo, are creating “Aswang,” an NFT graphic novel highlighting Asian mythology. According to Marrione, “Aswang” is the story of five young creatures who were disowned by their monster clans. In an effort to survive, they enroll in a
Madhuram Prabhakar discovered food blogging when she was experimenting with egg-free cooking and baking. “I had family members with dietary restrictions, and I was determined to create baked goods that everyone could enjoy,” Madhuram says. As the home chef experimented with various egg substitutes and baking techniques, she discovered her
Keva Epale is an art director, graphic designer and illustrator based in Paris. Her journey from working as a graphic designer in the cultural sector to starting her own business is inspiring. Keva Epale Studio, a hub for branding and storytelling, reflects the entrepreneur’s commitment to empowering her clients
art
Artist Kay Collier, also known as Kathryn Hastings, revives the lost art of letter writing with her elegant collections of wax seals, stationery and letter-writing tools. Kay’s designs are ideal for personal and special-occasion correspondence, such as wedding invitations. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to
artisanal food
Elisa Lyew was working as a pastry chef when she realized that restaurants offered few nutritious desserts, which gave her an idea. The chef began a side hustle, making pastries with wholesome ingredients and natural low-glycemic sweeteners. Today, she owns Elisa’s Love Bites, a dessert atelier in New York
Creative Business Tips
There’s a new online marketplace for artisans in town: Handmade.com. Although the site just launched this year, Handmade.com’s founders are industry veterans. They’re the same people who brought us the social-impact marketplace NOVICA. If you’re not familiar with the company, NOVICA helps artisans in
Creative Entrepreneur
Giving her guests cotton candy as a wedding favor intrigued Emily Harpel, but she found the options available at the time unappetizing. “It was honestly a little scary—clear packaging that didn’t look food safe with a giant red clown on it,” Emily said. She realized she had an
art
Ellen Jenny Watkins is a heart-healing abstract artist, author and certified coach who uses art and creativity for transformation and personal growth. Although being an artist entrepreneur was always in Ellen’s heart, she pursued a corporate career and stayed on the path for over two decades. Despite achieving success
Creative Entrepreneur
Founder Lucie Voves’ journey into the custom framing and art world began not with a business plan but with a sentimental search. Her company, Church Hill Classics, makes bespoke diploma frames, and it all started in her basement. Let’s hear from Lucie on her highly successful foray into handcrafted