Business

As this year’s new college grads receive their sheepskins and throw their caps into the air, jubilation can turn very quickly to trepidation.

Anthony Samuels didn’t set out to create one of the state’s largest janitorial firms. He initially just wanted to make enough money to start a new company after he sold it.

In 2025, everything feels like it’s becoming more expensive — from gas and groceries to school supplies. Whether you’re running a business, managing a household, or just trying to keep up, it’s important now more than ever to keep a close eye on your numbers.

After a successful career as an entertainment promoter for celebrities such as Prince and Destiny’s Child, Terryl Calloway realized that all of these artists had one practical need in common: They relied on print shops for their marketing flyers. 

Kanessa Alexander has put up a Juneteenth flag celebrating her business, Perfect 10 Salon, for years. But this year, her father is nervous for her to display the symbol of support for Black-owned businesses outside of her West Roxbury salon’s door, believing it might make her a target.

When Giselle Byrd received the news that she was chosen to be the next executive director of The Theater Offensive, she was so shocked that she kept telling the search firm that they were lying.

After the police murder of George Floyd in 2020, many companies made pledges and promises to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion — which included the acknowledgment of Juneteenth. However, when President Donald J. Trump was voted back into the White House, he issued an executive order to “coordinate the termination” of what he calls “discriminatory programs,” which include “illegal DEI” and “diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility mandates, policies, programs, preferences, and activities.”

Royal Smith always knew he wanted to provide a place for Black Boston to come early and leave late. When he opened District 7 Tavern in 2018, he built a neighborhood bar for the people, with live music, guest bartenders, and plenty of space to watch the big game. Today, he hopes to expand that safe space for community connection during the daytime hours with his new restaurant just around the corner, District 7 Cafe at 376 Warren St. in Roxbury.

When Halsey Platt started thinking about retirement from his decades-old residential construction business, he had to decide what would happen next.

In the brisk winter of 2020, Danielle Johnson was preparing to launch her online radio station. She had raised the money, purchased the equipment, put a down payment on the location, and transformed the space into a studio.

With an abundance of free time during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shironda White turned her passion for baking for her friends into a sweet career pivot.

For 27 years, Lisa Simmons has been an integral part of the Roxbury International Film Festival (RoxFilm) as its executive and artistic producer. However, her roots in storytelling began when she was a theater actor, part of a greater legacy from a family deeply involved in cultural expression and the arts since the 1930s.