Memphis Hustle

Ibtisam Salih sells Sudanese fare at the Caritas on Broad pop-up shop at the 10th annual Broad Avenue Art Walk.

Ibtisam Salih sells Sudanese fare at the Caritas on Broad pop-up shop at the 10th annual Broad Avenue Art Walk. Lauren Turner

For 35 years, Alvin Hooper has made it his business to mend soles, one shoe at a time Read Article

Shoes and purses – leather and rubber – fill the space at Nu-Life Shoe Repair, a fading profession, where customers have 'all sorts of good stuff' done for their shoes.

Alvin Hooper, owner of Nu-Life Shoe Repair, started in the shoe business right after graduating high school.

Photo: Alvin Hooper, owner of Nu-Life Shoe Repair, started in the shoe business right after graduating high school. Houston Cofield

Jameelah Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Mozak standing in one of Start Co.'s work spaces in Downtown Memphis.

Jameelah Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Mozak standing in one of Start Co.'s work spaces in Downtown Memphis. Houston Cofield

Family opens side-by-side Binghampton businesses Read Article

Lucas Trautman runs nonprofit Stardust Jiu-Jitsu studio. Kristin Fox-Trautman is soon to open a cafe that pays employees a living wage. Together, they're brightening a high-traffic corner of Binghampton.

Inspire Community Cafe owner Kristin Fox-Trautman, left, poses for a photo with her team, from left, Tevin Whitley, Jacqueline Chandler, Charlena Branch, and Terrance Whitley, inside the restaurant which is currently under construction. (Brandon Dill

Photo: Inspire Community Cafe owner Kristin Fox-Trautman, left, poses for a photo with her team, from left, Tevin Whitley, Jacqueline Chandler, Charlena Branch, and Terrance Whitley, inside the restaurant which is currently under construction. (Brandon Dill

"Hustle mentality" led Johnson-Williams to open her contracting and woodworking firm Read Article

“I don’t have time to wait on anybody to tell me that I’m good enough. Women can do just as much if not more. Anything that’s out there, we can do it."

Trinette Johnson-Williams in her Midtown workshop. (Darius B. Williams)

Photo: Trinette Johnson-Williams in her Midtown workshop. (Darius B. Williams)

$15 million loan fund focuses on growing minority and women-owned businesses in Memphis Read Article

In an effort to chip away lending disparities, Epicenter, a local nonprofit entrepreneurial engine, has partnered with Pathway Lending, a regional nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution, to launch the Memphis Small Business Opportunity Loan Fund.

Leslie Lynn Smith, Epicenter president and CEO.

Photo: Leslie Lynn Smith, Epicenter president and CEO.

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Development News

Events on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13, mark the apex of Memphis Fashion Week.

Memphis' next generation of fashion designers gear up for Memphis Fashion Week

High Ground TeamThursday, May 11, 2023

Women Working It: This woman-led publishing house is poised to make a splash in Memphis — and beyond

Jeff HulettThursday, July 21, 2022

Well-known local developer adds children’s books to his already impressive repertoire

Jeff HulettThursday, July 21, 2022

Recycled tires serve as art and safety features along Broad Ave. bike lanes. (submitted)

Recycled tire art makes Broad Ave. bike lanes safer and creates jobs

Jeff HulettThursday, February 24, 2022

Improvements to Morris Park were underway in January 2022. (Shelia Williams)

Morris Park renovations underway, opening expected summer 2022

Tafui OwusuFriday, February 18, 2022

The owners of small business ARCHd, sisters Kristen and Lindsey Archer (submitted)

Women Working It: Kristen and Lindsey Archer on risk, balance, and giving back

Tiffany Thomas-TurnerThursday, November 18, 2021

Mayor Lee Harris and members of the Shelby County Youth Council at BRIDGES, a member of the new nonprofit committee. (submitted)

Nonprofit Committee hopes to help Shelby County residents access needed services

Jeff HulettThursday, November 4, 2021

Cindy Brewer, Principal at LEO Events. (submitted)

Women Working It: LEO Events' Cindy Brewer on teamwork and success

Tiffany Thomas-TurnerThursday, October 7, 2021

Ashlei Williams, founder and president of GJC Publicity. (Submitted)

Women Working It: Ashlei Williams talks hustle, PR, and why she chose Memphis

Brandi HunterWednesday, August 25, 2021

Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams founded her Memphis-based management consulting firm, Standpoint Consulting, in 2019 and went full time in January 2020. (Submitted)

Women Working It: Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams helps leaders understand what Memphis needs

Brandi HunterThursday, March 18, 2021

Rendering of the future home of Dawg Team Apparel USA, which opens soon at 420 North Cleveland Street in Crosstown. Dawg Team is a Black-owned business that specializes in pet apparel and treats for canine family members. (Submitted)

Black-owned pet accessories company to open in Crosstown

Deborah Gaddy-RobertsonWednesday, February 17, 2021

Kaila Matthews, owner of the new WhatTheDoula, is a native Memphian and birth doula. (Submitted)

Women Working It: Doula Kaila Matthews helps expectant parents get what they want

Brandi HunterThursday, January 7, 2021

Crab legs with Drop Sauce is a best-seller at Straight Drop Seafood in North Memphis. (Straight Drop Seafood)

New Straight Drop Seafood is the right thing to crave

Tamara CunninghamThursday, November 26, 2020

Meghan Paige (left) and Keneisha Malone opened Terra Cotta October 3, 2020. The store is both a plant shop and space for customers to shop locally made goods, including jewelry, apparel, and candles. (Submitted)

Women Working It: The plants and passion of Terra Cotta

Brandi HunterThursday, November 19, 2020

James Cook and his family stand outside the future home of Nubian Design Studios in Whitehaven. The building is currently under renovations with help from an EDGE Inner City Economic Development loan . (Ziggy Mack)

This Whitehaven entrepreneur is bringing a new hair studio to his community with help of EDGE loan

Erinn FiggWednesday, October 14, 2020

Lauren Wiliams-Batiste, owner of the Memphis-based Elle's Elixirs. (Lauren Wiliams-Batiste)

Women Working It: Lauren Williams-Batiste talks tea, CBD, and learning to market yourself

Brandi HunterThursday, October 8, 2020

Consuelo Rosales, owner of Consuelo's Cleaning Services. (GoDaddy)

Memphis entrepreneur and domestic violence survivor is featured in national commercial

Jeff HulettThursday, October 1, 2020

Imani Polk launched Masked by Imani, a line of fashionable face mask, just before her fourteenth birthday. Polk is a Memphis native and will be a freshman at Ridgeway High School in the fall. (Submitted)

14 year-old Memphis entrepreneur launches line of fashion masks for pandemic protection

Cole BradleyFriday, June 12, 2020

OtherFoods Kitchen is located at 1249 Heistan Place and serves as a space for food-based startups to kickoff. (Ramona Springfield)

OtherFoods Kitchen helps startups cook up something great in Memphis

Ramona SpringfieldThursday, June 4, 2020

Natasha Norie Standard is an Army veteran and owner of Norie Shoes. (Submitted)

Want to support veterans? Support their businesses. These three are proud to serve Memphis.

Jeff HulettFriday, April 10, 2020

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Memphians are resilient. They set out to solve problems in their communities through innovation. In our Memphis Hustle series, we tell the stories of local entrepreneurs who are meeting challenges head-on and bringing forth grassroots economic development for the city.

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