Whispering Smith: Architecture as a Gateway to Change

In this small business spotlight, Michael Joly's n.o.w. Tone Therapy System delivers gentle, calming tones amidst the noisy backdrop of the Tampa, Florida, neighborhood that his company, Solu, calls home.

Fathom Analytics founders Paul Jarvis and Jack Ellis chat about creating privacy-first analytics software, splitting the duties of owning and operating a business, and the shared values that have helped guide them along the way.

Laura Hackney is CEO and co-founder of AnnieCannons, a nonprofit that trains human trafficking survivors to be software engineers. They’re empowering folks to rebuild their lives—and changing the culture of STEM in the process.

Anong Beam is the founder of Beam Paints in Canada’s M’Chigeeng First Nation. Fueled by her passion for color and strong business acumen, she’s creating products that are rooted in equal parts tradition and sustainability.

Dirty Girl Produce owner Joe Schirmer is passionate about small-scale organic farming. He’s trying to change the agricultural industry and knows that the relationships he builds are as vital to his success as the food he grows.

Kate Fitzgerald, director of the feminist architecture firm Whispering Smith, is helping to move the needle toward truly sustainable architecture—and shaking up the status quo of an entire industry in the process.

For Lee Ann McKay, co-founder of eBoom Electric Bikes, building a successful business isn’t just about selling a lot of e-bikes; it’s about providing great customer service and creating an inclusive community for riders.

Adelle Renaud started Peau de Loup, a nonbinary clothing company, to make clothes for bodies, not genders. The brand’s dedication to inclusivity has helped them build a loyal following with a staggering number of repeat customers.

Kachka, a restaurant in Portland, Oregon, was one of the first to eliminate tipping in favor of a more equitable approach that includes higher pay and profit sharing for all employees—and their business is better for it.

Portland Garment Factory is a soft goods manufacturing company known for its creative brand collaborations. After losing everything in a fire, PGF used the opportunity to start over and create an even better version of themselves.