Top Small Businesses: dollardosh asked readers to select their favourite small businesses in the U.S. We received submissions for restaurants, coffee shops, Etsy shops, arcades and more.
16 Top Small Businesses Spotlighted in 2022
Bakery in Willcox, Arizona
Bakester’s Pastries serves sandwiches on fresh-baked bread, cinnamon buns, cookies, and biscuits & gravy.
Blue Mountain Coffee in WPB
Blue Mountain Coffee’s creator was born and reared in St. Andrew, Jamaica. She was inspired by her hometown’s cacao and Caribbean fruits to harvest and roast Blue Mountain coffee beans on her family’s land. Boettcher serves her own Blue Mountain Coffee label, pancakes, sandwiches, salad, and pastries, and Jamaican delicacies including ackee and saltfish and curry chicken.
“Never get into business for the money,” she urged. “It will be an empty fantasy chasing a bunch of papers.” “Enjoy the path of choice as you work towards your goals.”
New Jersey’s Bradley shop
Bradley Bake Shop specialises on gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, and keto delicacies, such keto carrot cake. Eleanor Bradley opened her shop in Bogota, New Jersey, in 2016 after her gluten-free cookies became a sensation. When she originally opened the business, she was also a teacher, but she resigned to focus on the bakery full time.
“Being my own boss, calling my own shots, and witnessing the business grow from nothing to people coming in” “Last week, a few customers said they were referred by friends or relatives. It makes me happy since I put my all into my work.
Arizona Brunch Snob
Keith and Celene Hillsbery’s Brunch Snob serves “comfort cuisine with a twist.” Celene: “We don’t serve a regular breakfast. Nothing we do is normal”
Celene: “We’re blown away by how busy we are and how wild people are about the restaurant – how charming it is and how delicious the cuisine is. “More than time, we’ve asked each other, ‘Did you imagine we’d be this busy?’ We said ‘no’. “We never expected to be that busy.”
Doo’s Amazing Tours in Florida
Doo’s Amazing Tours is a woman-owned company that offers paddleboard, Segway, and bike tours of St. Petersburg, Florida. Louisa Scopacasa opened the business in 2012, and it has won local and national distinctions, including a 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor.
“The nicest part of being a business owner is impacting a customer’s vacation,” Scopacasa remarked. “I love hearing that my tour was the highlight of their vacation. I’d like to think I’ve inspired young women to pursue their hobbies and open enterprises.
Far Out Arcade in Kansas
Every Thursday through Sunday, guests to the Far Out Arcade may play old video arcade games. Scott Anderson, a Manhattan, Kansas, resident for 20 years, owns and runs Far Out Arcade.
We serve the community with affordability, location, and compassion, added Anderson. Far Out Arcade has its own community. When I couldn’t attend in May, volunteers hosted in my place.
By Anna & Julianna in Chicago
Anna and Julianna Babin own an Etsy shop called Happily Handcrafted. Julianna’s love inspired the concept. The team sold at local craft shows before opening an Etsy shop to grow. Polymer clay masterpieces, decoupage décor, ribbon bookmarks and more are in their shop.
They remarked, “We love connecting with customers and discussing our work.” We still communicate with our followers on social media and love getting comments and suggestions for what to make next.
Litwickscandle in Miami
Tracy Welsh developed Litwickscandle because of her love of candles. She was inspired to start manufacturing her own during the epidemic and now offers candles and other goods produced from natural components.
“I shopped at Bath & Body Works often. When COVID-19 hit and we couldn’t go to stores, she had to find out how to buy candles. The lights came on when I noticed how much I was spending on candles. I decided creating candles myself, and Litwickscandle was born.
California’s Naughty Pine Brewing company
Naughty Pine company has a speakeasy ambiance. Brittany Brouhard co-founded and opened a brewery on Maui about 10 years ago. Her current business is already a year old.
“My inspiration comes from other brewery owners I’ve become friends with over the years, my husband and his family, all of whom are small business entrepreneurs, and friends who took the same leap I did in 2020,” Brouhard said. And my daughter My daughter inspired me to do this.
“Going out on my own means being able to pivot at any point if my daughter needs me at home, has a class trip, or a dancing recital,” she explained. “It means building a place to call our own, being a role model as a mom and business owner, and providing a space she can take over someday.”
Psychic Teaz in Washington
Daniel Muffoletto, Susan Lautner’s husband, created Psychic Teaz decades ago to assist artists stay psychologically and physically balanced on tour. Psychic Teaz has four flavours, including this one. The company aims to help people “heal and feel better.”
“I love assisting people,” Lautner stated. “This is my motivation for reaching millions.”
A Separate Reality in Cleveland
A Separate Reality Records, founded by music industry vet and cancer survivor Augustus Payne, was nominated again this year.
“It’s great when people love the records you sell,” Payne said. “This is a labour of love and a business for me.”
SK butterflies’s Miami
Kiki Sylvain’s company SK Butterflies breeds butterflies. The company began when she found a dead butterfly in her greenhouse and her husband suggested she frame it. After seeing the finished product, Sedrick said, “I love it!” I’ll buy it.” Kiki’s new hobby inspired the couple to start SK Butterflies. In addition to raising butterflies, the company provides jewellery and home décor made from recycled butterfly wings.
Butterfly breeding can be difficult, Sylvain said. I must make no predators harm the butterflies. I try to ensure their survival. They deserve a happy life.
Smokin J’s BBQ in Poway
This barbecue spot was founded by Joshua George, his brother Jeremy, and Jeremy’s wife Mckenzie. Smokin’ J’s BBQ serves slow-smoked barbecue with homemade rubs and sauces. The San Diego restaurant serves a variety of meats and strives to make every guest feel welcome.
“One of the most rewarding parts of being a small business owner was when we realised we were supporting not only ourselves, but also multiple employees,” Joshua said. “I still get warm fuzzies when I think about how successful our business is.
Coffee in Willcox, Arizona
Family-owned Source of Coffee specialises in espresso made from Arizona-roasted organic coffee. Owners Benjamin Morgan, Dana and Debra Suorsa said their cafe has a European feel that encourages visitors to stay and play chess or read by the fire. Source of Coffee hosts free events and has an on-site farmers market to support the local community.
Each cup we serve is just as important as the first, and our community keeps choosing us, the owners said. We’re a coffee house, not a drive-thru, and we’re proud of it.
Madison’s Sunrise Coffee Shop and Wine Cellar
Sunrise Coffee Shop and Wine Cellar is a cafe-restaurant that serves coffee, tea, wine, and farm-to-table sandwiches, soups, and salads. It hosts private events, murder mystery dinners, wine tastings, and live music. Owner Moruna Sheppard describes her business as “a touch of vintage nostalgia, combining a love of people, antiques, travel, coffee, teas, fine wines, beers, wholesome organic foods and fresh baked goods in a cosy and quaint restaurant lounge.”
“Sunrise is a garden where love is sown,” she said. “It grew beauty and unexpected friendships, fruitful and bountiful.”
Redondo Beach’s Tigre Fuego
Tigre’s Fuego is a take-out taco and ceviche restaurant that uses high-quality ingredients and offers homemade fare. The restaurant is owned by Jonathan and Jason Baran, Tyler Gugliotta, and Jimmy Tapia.
“Hospitality is unmatched,” said Jonathan. I consider many customers good friends, and I didn’t know them before. That’s a blessing.
