By Emily WilliamsAs owner, publisher and editor-in-chief of Alabama Wedding Magazine since 2001, Michelle Van Every is using everything she knows about the wedding industry to give Alabama brides a new resource for choosing their vendors. In the spirit of the magazine, Van Every is hoping the Believe Bridal Showcase will introduce future brides to the professionals who … [Read more...]
From the Stove to the Store: Bamawise Helps Alabama Food Vendors Get Retail-Ready
By Donna CorneliusYou’ve got a great salad dressing/pickle/strawberry jam recipe. It’s so good, in fact, that your friends are always saying you need to sell the stuff. There’s just one problem: You’ve got no clue how to get your delicious food from the stove to the store shelves. Enter Bamawise, a Birmingham company that specializes in helping small food vendors make … [Read more...]
A Fair Trade
By Emily WilliamsAfrica awaits, and it isn't as far away as you might think. In fact, it’s just over in downtown Homewood.That’s where Scott and Jamie Laslo established a storefront for their fair-trade brand Kanzi, which means "hidden treasures" in Swahili. The store embodies the next phase of their work with East Africa. It is a for-profit venture that provides … [Read more...]
Partner in Climb: High Point Gym Coming to U.S. 280
By Lee Davis When serious rock climbers are pursuing their passion, they normally need to find the proper venue and hope the weather cooperates. Soon, they’ll only have to go to Inverness and the weather won’t be a factor. That’s because a High Point Climbing Gym franchise at 4766 U.S. 280 will hold its official grand opening in December. The gigantic indoor facility will … [Read more...]
Raising Alabama: Canfield Builds State’s Commerce on Three Pillars
By Lee DavisA phone call from the governor’s office was the last thing in the world Greg Canfield was expecting on Independence Day weekend of 2011. After a successful career in business and on the Vestavia Hills City Council, Canfield had settled in at his position as the chairman of the Commerce and Small Business Committee in the Alabama House of Representatives. … [Read more...]