Page 154 - The Magic of Tiny Business

Acknowledgments

I have been fortunate to be supported and inspired by so
many. From learning the ropes of retail in our family store,
Milt’s Army and Navy, with parents Joan and Milton to
talking “shop” with my real life sisters; “tiny” entrepreneurs,
Ellen Ornato cofounder of The Bolder Company and Heidi
Feldman cofounder of Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt.

My husband, Blake, and children, Julian and Eva,
inspired my “why.” I wanted to spend time with family and
make a living doing work that mattered with a socially
responsible “how”—big goals for starting a “tiny” business
in 1989. Blake gets an extra callout for being super patient,
the wires beneath my desk (aka IT support), for naming the
business and brand, and for making music that fills my soul.

Early acting training taught me about listening and
failing. Thanks to the places I studied: Clark University,
the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center at the National The-
ater Institute, acting and improvisation in DC and New
York City, and decades on the Pavalon floor at The Noyes
School of Rhythm, where connecting to your inner dancer
is celebrated.

Building a brand is one thing. Making it thrive day-
to-day is another. Many thanks to Andrew Dyer, who
keeps it together with intelligence and grace; and to Susan

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