Memphis Hustle

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.

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. 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."

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.

Photo: Leslie Lynn Smith, Epicenter president and CEO.

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Development News

New bagel shop on the way to Midtown

Michael WaddellTuesday, March 20, 2018

Feature Story

A customer plays a racing game on one of the stations at Game oN, located inside the Southland Mall. (Brandon Dahlberg)

Game oN video game lounge takes Whitehaven to the next level

Madeline FaberWednesday, March 14, 2018

Feature Story

Jess Vanderberg wears a cross-hatch chambray shirt from the Button Brigade. (Nate Packard)

Memphis-based clothing company helps LGBTQ customers find the perfect fit

J. Dylan SandiferWednesday, March 14, 2018

Development News

Sisters opening new bake shop in Bartlett

Michael WaddellTuesday, March 13, 2018

Feature Story

Dorothy Collier introduces Molly Farrell of Maggie Louise Bridal at an August meeting of the Rising Tide Society. (Kristen Archer)

Q&A: The Rising Tide Society serves a swell of creative entrepreneurs

Jeff HulettWednesday, February 21, 2018

Feature Story

A cardboard Elvis display in front of various signs at Boulevard Souvenirs. (Brandon Dahlberg)

In photos: Local Elvis purveyors combine tourist attraction and native flair

Brandon DahlbergWednesday, February 21, 2018

Innovation & Job News

Taylor Sherbine with Epicenter celebrates the announcement that Memphis will be a stop on the "Rise of the Rest" tour. (Epicenter)

As part of a national entrepreneurship tour, Memphis leads the "rise of the rest"

Kim and Jim ColemanTuesday, February 20, 2018

Feature Story

Dr. Charles Champion in his pharmacy office. (Rachel Warren)

A champion for health in Whitehaven advocates herbal remedies at his family-run shop

Rachel WarrenWednesday, February 7, 2018

Development News

The return of Black Lodge Video brings innovation to analog retail

Michael WaddellTuesday, February 6, 2018

Feature Story

Antonio and Jason Gardner, co-owners of BeLeaf Cigar Lounge opened their brick and mortar location in November 2017.

Success is smoky for brothers growing cigar business in Whitehaven

Erica HortonWednesday, January 24, 2018

Feature Story

A customer at Hazel's Hair Fashions reads a textbook at the Whitehaven salon. (Brandon Dahlberg)

In photos: Barber and beauty shops are centers of community in sprawling Whitehaven

Brandon DahlbergWednesday, January 24, 2018

Feature Story

Winston Gipson confers with his wife and daughter, who help run Gipson Mechanical Contractors, a family-owned business in Memphis for 35 years. (Laura Faith Kebede)

Memphis leaders say diversifying school business contracts will help in the classroom, too

Laura Faith Kebede, Chalkbeat TennesseeWednesday, January 17, 2018

Innovation & Job News

Ross Harris is the co-founder and CEO of A3 Freight Payment. His company took advantage of the Angel Tax Credit this year to help spur capital investment to grow his business.

Angel Tax Credit stimulates early startup investors in Tennessee

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, December 20, 2017

Feature Story

Zay grew up in Binghampton and wants to change the perception of the community, as well as leave his mark on Memphis, through his fashion design.(Photo Credit: Brandon Dahlberg)

Binghampton resident inspires with homegrown t-shirt business

Erica HortonWednesday, December 13, 2017

Feature Story

Colorful Mexican-inspired clothing, ceramics, clutches and other items from Mucho, one of the vendors whose items are available through the month of December at The Attic in Overton Square. (Aisling Maki)

The Attic in Overton Square gives micro-retailers a brick-and-mortar trial run

Aisling MakiWednesday, December 13, 2017

Development News

Lula's Frozen Treats entrepreneur Gwendolyn House Smith

Kid-friendly Lula’s Frozen Treats brings fun to Frayser

Michael WaddellMonday, December 4, 2017

Feature Story

Yolandra Rodgers runs an e-commerce company out of her home in South Memphis. (Lesley Young)

South Memphis-based baby shoe company is off and running

Lesley YoungWednesday, November 15, 2017

Feature Story

A selection of polish at Colours the Nail Salon, located at 881 South Cooper. (Sarah Jones)

Midtown nail salon's "safe space" draws tri-state patrons

Sarah JonesWednesday, November 15, 2017

Feature Story

Peet Strydom, general manager of The Hub in East Memphis.

An outpouring of coffee shop openings point to a shift in Memphis

Shelby BlackWednesday, November 15, 2017

Feature Story

Maury Evensky, owner of Evensky’s Big and Tall, has witnessed the store's evolution from a sundry offering men and women's clothing, hardware and food to focusing solely on quality men's clothes. (Renier Otto)

70-year-old clothing store in Orange Mound stands the test of a shifted neighborhood economy

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, November 8, 2017

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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.

Memphis Hustle

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

Family opens side-by-side Binghampton businesses Read Article

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

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

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