Made Here: Small business stories and conversations with entrepreneurs

In spite of the recognition she’s received from her industry, one would say that Lachelle Cunningham’s journey as a chef is unconventional, especially compared to her peers. She began her culinary career by launching Chelles’ Kitchen in 2012 and soon became known for her work as the founding Executive Chef of Breaking Bread Cafe in North Minneapolis, where she received many accolades for her food creativity and social justice work.   In this episode, she talks to us about becoming a mom in her early 20s and how her sense of smell changed her relationship with food. Lachelle shares her transition from a home chef catering small dinner parties, to an entrepreneur who had a larger vision of creating positive change through food. Finally, we’ll also learn about her work at the Healthy Roots Institute, whose mission focuses on healing and social justice through food education, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. To learn more about Lachelle's work, visit lachellecunningham.com/healthy-roots-institute -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Michea Rahman, a native Houstonian, is a speech-language pathologist who owns and runs Children’s Language Center, a clinic that provides pediatric speech therapy services to children in a positive and nurturing environment. In this episode, Michea shares the difficulties she experienced growing up and how her single mom inspired her to be consistently hardworking and tenacious. We also talk about how Michea's life shifted from being a stage actress and secondary theater arts teacher to becoming a well-respected speech pathology practitioner in Houston, Texas. On the show, Michea also discusses how, in spite of the pandemic, Children’s Language Center continues to make an impact on the lives of children and their families. To learn more about Children’s Language Center, visit www.childrenslanguagecenter.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Shelley Green's path as a small business owner took a while to shape. Transitioning from a career in consulting, Shelley now proudly owns The Green Corner Store located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Green Corner Store is a market that supports local makers, artisans, and micro-businesses that sell quality products that make our lives greener, safer and healthier. The Green Corner Store is a certified business of The Green Business Network, a program of Green America — the nation’s leading nonprofit in growing the green economy. In this episode, Shelley talks to us about her journey and why the concept of an entrepreneur seemed elusive, or at least something she couldn’t relate to in the beginning. We also talk about the serendipitous moments in her life that gave her the idea for The Green Corner Store, as well as the setbacks she faced having started her business all the way back in 2009. To learn more about Green Corner Store, visit www.thegreencornerstore.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

This week's guest is a go-getter mom who runs Honey Hush Boutique, a store selling stylish clothes and vintage home items and gifts in Bogota, Texas. Shelly Evans decided to remodel an old bank building and turn it into a store that she now runs with her daughter Lacey.   In this episode, Shelly talks about the ugly side of starting and growing a small business. She shares with me the lessons she learned, and her advice for other entrepreneurs who might be going through similar challenges. On the show, we talk about the importance of community over competition, the power of positive thinking, and why Shelly has made it her mission to encourage other aspiring business owners. To learn more about Honey Hush Boutique, visit www.honeyhushstore.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Tyson Toussant and Tim Coombs are the co-founders of BIONIC, a mission-driven material engineering company that addresses ocean plastic pollution in marine and coastal environments. BIONIC engineers fully traceable high-grade textiles made with coastal and marine plastic. On the show, Tyson and Tim talk about their roots and how growing up in New York City sparked their interest in social and environmental issues. They share everything from their first entrepreneurial endeavor to building and attracting key partnerships. Tyson and Tim also talk about balancing purpose and profit and their broader mission of shifting people’s behavior and thinking through BIONIC. To learn more about BIONIC, visit www.bionicyarn.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

When we think about our favorite subject in school or why we loved going to class, we sometimes associate our fondness for learning with teachers we love, much like this week's guest, Maria Ure. Moving from Argentina to the United States in the mid-80s, Maria saw a huge need in language learning — a program that would captivate students at a young age. From teaching Spanish to a small group of students, Maria has now taught over 6,000 students. Today, she continues to make an impact as the Founder and Director of Spanish in Action, a language school located in Manhattan Beach, California. In this episode, Maria shares the challenges and triumphs she experienced throughout her career that has spanned over three decades. On the show, Maria also talks about how Spanish in Action is able to create a fun, learning environment for kids and how she was able to scale her business, in spite of the setbacks she faced. To learn more about Spanish in Action, visit spanishinaction.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

This week’s episode features husband and wife and owners of Buenos Dias Café, Ken and Jeanette Katz. In 2012, Ken and Jeanette opened the doors to their restaurant in Atlanta, a place that eventually became a second home for students and faculty in that area. Buenos Dias Café is a quick-service restaurant that serves fresh, authentic cuisine inspired by Jeannette’s childhood in El Salvador and the distinct Latin communities in which they have both lived. Growing up, Jeannette observed women having a harder time receiving help and being taken seriously when launching a business. This understanding motivates Jeannette and Ken to actively welcome entrepreneurs who are single moms, as well as partner with nonprofits to employ individuals transitioning from homelessness. In this episode, Ken and Jeanette share the many challenges of working in the restaurant industry, what keeps them motivated to grow with their community, and what lies ahead for Buenos Dias Café. To learn more about Buenos Dias Café, visit www.buenosdiascafe.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Kay Luttrell joined the US Navy straight out of high school. While going through personal challenges that took a toll on her mental health, Kay found solace in lighting and making scented candles. Her hobby eventually turned into Unlax Candles, a company selling high-quality and hand-poured scented candles that Kay hopes will be a part of her customer’s relaxation routine and meditative state. In this episode, Kay shares how her business grew tenfold since it launched in December 2019. We discuss the impact of business mentorship and how she manifests items on her vision board into reality! She also talks to me about finding a balance between two important roles: a business owner and an active duty military member. To learn more about Unlax Candles, visit unlaxcandles.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Is there a difference between being an educator and being a teacher? Our next guest, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, believes there is. Dr. Key is the CEO and Founder of the Village Market, an Atlanta-based organization that empowers Black entrepreneurs through business development trainings, marketplaces, and community engagement. According to a 2017 Small Business Administration study, black-owned businesses averaged $58,000 in revenue while white-owned businesses averaged over nine times that amount. To address the disparity of earnings between Black-owned and white-owned businesses, the Village Market showcases and trains hundreds of Black-owned businesses that specialize in conscious apparel, all-natural products, and foods. These businesses have grown from 6-foot vendor tables to brick and mortar locations. In this episode, Dr. Key shares the incredible community she’s created, how she builds authentic relationships with entrepreneurs, and the best advice she got from her grandmother on how to treat every customer. To learn more about the Village Market, visit thevillagemarketatl.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Today's episode is a little different because our featured guest is based in the UK. Originally from North-Eastern Syria, Sulaiman Othoman is a journalist and broadcaster with more than 17 years of experience in the industry, particularly in the Middle East. He is the founder of Caravel Magazine, an independent art, heritage, and culture digital magazine, designed to be a window that explores the richness of Middle Eastern and North African creativity. In this episode, we talk to Sulaiman about the different cultures he was exposed to, how he fought his way out of a system that didn’t foster entrepreneurship, and how he is now able to fulfill his mission of giving a platform for other artists and storytellers just like himself. To learn more about Sulaiman's work, visit caravelmagazine.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

This week's guest is an accomplished, multi-talented Black Creative and the host of “Shaping The Shift“ podcast. Thea Monyee is a remarkable writer and artist with credits including appearances on HBO, BET, and FOX SOUL. She is the owner of MarleyAyo Creative Consulting. The many facets and inflections of Thea's journey epitomize shapeshifting. In this episode, we talk to Thea about how she built a business, while still holding on to her artistry. She also shares her daily routine, including how she balances work and family time, and why she makes it a point to shut things down around 6 pm daily. To learn more about Thea Monyee, visit theamonyee.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

For years, Kristel Valencia worked as an event planner for Coca-Cola. She is a proud daughter of Mexican parents who immigrated to Georgia when Kristel was just 10 months old. After a death in her family made Kristel realize the importance of time, she quit her job to finally chase after her entrepreneurial dream. Today, Kristel is the founder of Cafecito, a coffee shop that serves beverages and snacks influenced by her Mexican heritage. In this episode, Kristel talks to us about the importance of having a network of supporters and mentors. Kristel, a single mom, also shares with us the lessons in running a business that she’s now able to impart to her own son. To learn more about Cafecito, visit cafecitocoffeeshop.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

This week's guest has built a legacy of transforming the lives of young people through farming and leadership. For 14 years, Max Elliott served as the Executive Director of Urban Roots, a farm-based youth leadership organization in Austin, Texas. Created out of its parent organization YouthLaunch, Urban Roots launched with just 15 teenagers and one field in 2008.  On their 3.5 (three and a half) acre farm, Urban Roots serves teens and young adults through paid internships that not only focus on farming, but also on their growth as leaders and good citizens. Urban Roots has an exponential impact that transforms the lives of young people while providing over 35,000 pounds of produce for the community, donating 40% to local soup kitchens and food pantries, and educating thousands of youth and community members about food, farming, and healthy lifestyles. In this episode, Max shares how a Buddhism class led him to practice and commit to a healthier lifestyle. Max and I also talk about balancing purpose and profit, the impact of COVID-19 on their programming, as well as the triumphs and challenges of his journey at the intersection of farming and youth empowerment. To learn more about Urban Roots, visit urbanrootsatx.org -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

The entrepreneurial journey could start at any phase in someone's life. For Jonathan Cottrell, a serial starter, the urge to build something from the ground up began at age 11, after getting his hands on a book titled "Better Than A Lemonade Stand: 51 Business Ideas For Kids." Since then, Jonathan has had a long list of startups under his belt, including his latest, Journeyage, which provides custom training solutions for enterprises. In this episode, Jonathan talks about his first startup exit, the importance of prioritizing the challenges of your business, and knowing which ones you should solve for. Jonathan also shares the incredible way he and his wife instill an entrepreneurial mindset with their kids. To learn more about Journeyage, visit journeyage.com. -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Do you ever look back at your life and realize that some of your most challenging and painful moments pushed you to look into a problem and dig a little deeper? That’s the story of this week's guest, Karly Burke. Karly is a Seattle native who created a chapter of Hashtag Lunchbag, a nonprofit organization that makes bagged lunches for the homeless, complete with love messages to inspire others. In this episode, Karly shares the tumultuous parts of her high school years that propelled her to pursue humanitarian work. She talks to us about the challenges of running a nonprofit venture and who currently inspires her to keep standing up for what she believes in. To learn more about #HashtagLunchbag, visit www.hashtaglunchbag.org -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

When entrepreneurs are asked who inspired them to start their own companies, they might mention names you would typically see on magazine lists like Forbes or Fortune. But, my favorite stories are from the business owners who, in a heartbeat, will tell you that they were inspired by a family member who worked hard to get to where they are today. In this episode, we’re hearing from Latrice Cannon, owner of Cannon’s Upholstery, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. Latrice inherited her father’s business, a company that provides upholstery services for commercial and residential clients. Today, Latrice will share the sacrifices she had to make after taking over her dad’s business and the pivots she did in order to grow their company and capture a bigger share of the market. To learn more about Latrice's business, visit: cannonsupholstery.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Today, we’re doing something a little different: we're featuring an entrepreneur based in the UK! Originally from Nigeria, Oku Abhara overcame physical and financial challenges and eventually started his own venture in the real estate industry. As the founder of Pristo’s Properties  Limited, Oku aims to create an ethical property lettings business that is service-oriented and puts people’s interests first. Oku gained knowledge and resilience from his professional experience in the London property lettings market, as well as a period in his life when he himself faced a housing issue. We’ll hear from Oku about his journey as an entrepreneur, why he decided to fill in gaps he saw in the market, and the profound meaning behind the name of his company. To learn more about Oku's business, visit: www.pristosproperties.co.uk -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GGoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Today’s guest is a business owner who infuses culture, heritage, and passion into every aspect of her business. With her parents, GG Peralta runs El Charro Hipster, a family-owned coffee shop, bar, and restaurant, right in the heart of the arts district in downtown Phoenix.  With only more than 2 years in operation, El Charro Hipster has been named the “Best Hangout” by the Phoenix New Times and has been given the Phoenix Green Leader Business award for the second year in a row. El Charro Hipster is environmentally friendly and only uses 100% compostable items. In our conversation, GG talks about key things that enabled her to grow her business and overcome setbacks. She talks to us about adaptability, patience, and how the work ethic and values passed down by her parents led GG to success at just 23 years old. To learn more about GG's business, visit: elcharrohipster.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

Katie Delwiche has had farming in her blood for years. As a gardener and herbalist, Katie has helped clients cultivate a relationship with their garden. Currently, she is the founder of Cloud and Crow, a company that provides garden care and design in the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2003, Katie has been emphasizing the power of being in the garden — as a way for people to rediscover and reconnect with nature and their own selves. In this episode, Katie talks to us about her roots (no pun intended!), how she bounced back from the 2008 recession, learned to pivot in a COVID-19 world, and why she thinks entrepreneurship has to do more about being service-oriented and actualizing one’s own purpose. To learn more about Katie's business, visit: cloudandcrow.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.

If we were to think of tech visionary entrepreneurs, people like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk, might come to mind. On the contrary, and while the road may not be easy, any person, regardless of background and status, can carve out a name for themselves in business. In today’s episode, we’re featuring the story of Jeremiah Rosenthal, founder of Green Bin. Years ago, Jeremiah came to realize how much waste packing and moving created when he was moving in with his wife, who was his girlfriend then. In 2018, Jeremiah founded Green Bin, a company that rents eco-friendly moving boxes that are cheaper than cardboard and don't require assembly or tape. In 2019 Green Bin® diverted over 3,000 lbs. of cardboard from landfills, saving 28 trees. The company also donated 9 trees that were planted in the Phoenix metro area. In this episode, Jeremiah shares how a personal milestone sparked the idea for his company, and how he turned his side hustle into a business that’s on a mission to do good. To learn more about Jeremiah's business, visit: rentgreenbin.com -- Love our podcast? Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information about GoDaddy's social impact work, visit GoDaddy.com/godaddy-for-good This podcast is powered by GoDaddy and made with the help of our producers at Hueman Group Media.