Celebrating Small Businesses in 2025
Small businesses are the heart of our communities. On our blog, we shared stories of Main Street business innovation, community, and growth. Here are four stories about small businesses from the past year.
Ebenezer Akakpo in his Westbrook, Maine studio. © Michael D Wilson
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Ebenezer Akakpo, a designer and jeweler who owns Akakpo Design Group and Maine Culture in Westbrook, Maine. Ebenezer recently won an award from Discover Downtown Westbrook’s Paper City Pitch Contest in May 2024.
Ebenezer’s businesses blend artistic design with cultural heritage. His jewelry company, Akakpo Design Group, honors his Ghanaian roots through symbolic designs that reflect his heritage’s history and culture. His other venture, Maine Culture, creates beautifully designed products celebrating Maine’s natural beauty, allowing customers to carry a piece of Maine wherever they go.
Join us as we explore Ebenezer’s journey into entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind his designs, and how cultural significance influences his work in both business and art.
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Community Spotlight: How Anniston’s Karla Eden is Rewriting the Playbook for Small Business Success
Learn how Karla Eden at Main Street Anniston in Anniston, Alabama, built a small business support program based around the GETUP Anniston training program and pitch contest.
New Podcast Episode: Growing a Business with Intention
In a new episode of our Main Street Business Insights podcast, host Matt Wagner sits down with Angela Mallett, founder of Honeybee Sage Wellness & Apothecary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In their conversation, Angela shares her intentional approach to growth, one that prioritizes community care and cultural healing over rapid expansion.
