In Good Company

“In Good Company” is The Banner‘s occasional series on Maryland small-business owners.

The Well offers clothing, food, supplies and a mentorship program for women and teens.

Nichole Sullivan loves to use her hands as a creative outlet. So, when the Northeast Baltimore native was ready to change her life, she opened a small business, Keppel & Kismet.

Liz Lehman was an anesthesiologist for nearly 20 years before she left medicine to focus on her well-being and her small candlemaking business in Baltimore County.

The Cole family opened Off the Rox Wine and Beer in Highlandtown in 2018 to offer a different kind of experience. They’re about to open a bottle shop and tasting room in Lauraville.

JLP Custom Picture Framing in the Old Goucher neighborhood of Baltimore has been around for about 50 years and has been owned since 2006 by Thom and Carol Stone.

Baltimore County resident Abigail Kuehl co-founded the hair care brand Antidote, which makes natural products for salons.

Shelby Blondell, a singer and songwriter in Anne Arundel County, invented and patented The Sheller, a 3-in-1 seafood mallet, picker and bottle opener.

Tulkoff Food Products, based in the Holabird area of Baltimore, manufactures condiments under its own name and for other national brands. It is known for its horseradish and is run by a third-generation family member.

Baltimore County designer Brittany Veney, of B. Real Creative Studio, sets out to help smaller businesses find their voices and identities.

Brian Snyder’s BMORE Around Town offers both in-town tailgating packages and weekends of fun cheering for Baltimore’s teams at away games without all of the stress of planning travel.

Christopher Schafer became a tailor while living in London for a year in 2007, and started his own business years later. The business is expanding, and Schafer has distributed 13,000 suits through his related nonprofit.

Howard County’s Bynia Reed is taking her Hyper Kidz indoor playgrounds national through franchising.

Alex Cooper Auctioneers is turning 100 this year — a rare accomplishment for a small business. Named after its founder, Paul Cooper’s grandfather, it opened in 1924 on Howard Street in Baltimore. For nearly 44 years, Alex Cooper has been based in Towson.

Valerie Traore knows people have a hard time working with contractors. A Woman’s Brush, her small contracting company that specializes in deck staining and cabinet painting, is determined to give the industry a better reputation.

For Alan Tsao, a small business owner, the highlight of his day is "watch talk."