Entrepreneurship managed to thrive during a pandemic throughout the area – Worcester Telegram
While most people agree the COVID-19 pandemic was isolating, some local residents used the excuse of isolation to pursue crafts, then took those skills into a business.
Even since Jan. 1, 2021, The Item has profiled many local artisans who have turned their crafts into a profit. Here are some of their stories:
The pandemic gave Ann Hershberger, of Bolton, the impetus to move into painting full time, both creating art and offering classes. Some of the paintings became a fundraising effort for the Bolton Community Fund. “Painting a hobby with community impact,” Jan. 15 issue.
Nancy Munoz, of Clinton, created Cakecito by Nancy after starting making cakes and baked goods in Puerto Rico. She focuses on sweets from her roots. “Baking up sweet treats with Cakecito by Nancy,” Jan. 29 issue.
Samantha Lamb, of Clinton, is only 15, but her art has become her outlet through Sam’s Custom Creations. Samantha uses found items — like shells, rocks and bottle caps — to create portraits and items like flags. She can be reached via email at samlambcreations@gmail.com or through Facebook. “Finding her outlet through Sam’s Custom Creations,” Jan. 29 issue.
Lancaster native Dawn Dionne, now a Leominster resident, started ‘Wicked Natural,” a soap and candle company, after a cancer scare. “Lancaster native finds ‘Wicked Natural’ business,” Feb. 5 issue.
Danielle Sargent and her husband, Christopher, were pouring candles for 2020 Christmas gifts with their Newfoundland dogs. The idea was born to start Newfoundland Candle Company, with a portion of the sales benefitting the Newfoundland Rescue of New England. Later in the year, the couple opened a brick-and-mortar store on Route 12. “New Sterling candle company going to the dogs,” April 16 issue.
Lancaster chef Erin Anderson launched a new business, Gather Provisions, featuring private dinners in your home and curated picnic boxes. “Gather Provisions can make picnics, special meals better, easier,” June 11 issue.
Samantha D’Alessandro and Andrew McShane started the Wild Roots Plant Truck, bringing plants to customers at farmers markets and fairs, as well as pots made by artisans, “Couple brings their ‘Wild Roots’ to a new business,” Aug. 6 issue.
West Boylston 11-year-old Jhené Reyna turned a pandemic candle-making hobby into a business, Jhené Reyna Candle Co., with the help of her mother and assistant, Jennifer Garcia. “West Boylston girl turns pandemic pastime into a business,” Aug. 27 issue.
Kristi LaFleur, of Clinton, has been interested in creating homemade dog cookies since her puppy, Teddy, began having stomach issues. She turned it into a new business, Patient & Kind Canine Cookies. She hopes to eventually open a brick-and-mortar store in her hometown. “Homemade dog cookies, Patient & Kind, made by hand, with love,” Aug. 27 issue.
Dave Hovasse enjoys woodworking. After creating a special shelf for gymnastic trophies for his daughters, he began Dave’s Silhouettes (on Facebook and davessilhouettes@gmail.com. “One project evolved into woodworking business,” Sept. 17 issue.
Amy Marold, of Sterling, turned grain bags around her horse farm into horse totes, which she sold to support a horse rescue, New England Equine Rescue North. “Sterling woman creates grain bag totes to support horse rescue,” Oct. 1 issue.
Amy Polewarczyk was inspired to start drawing and painting during the pandemic. Now, the 23-year-old Sterling resident, who is living with Down Syndrome, is selling notecards of her creations. Amy’s Cards are available at area businesses, including Meadowbrook Orchards. “Sterling woman channels creativity to make notecards,” Nov. 12 issue.
Shannon Grant found her job as a nurse during the pandemic stressful. She started making candles in January as a hobby, then turned it into a candle company: Essential Wonders. She researched the best options for better health. Email her at Essentialwonderscandles@yahoo.com. “Essential worker starts Essential Wonders,” Nov. 12 issue.
Diane Hogue was looking for a soap to help her own family’s skincare needs. She started researching soap making in 2020, during the pandemic, giving away the product to friends and family. She recently turned the hobby into a business, One Street Over Soaps. She can be found online at www.onestreetoversoaps.com. “Special soaps born of pandemic now available One Street Over,” Nov. 12 issue.
Michelle Hutchins has loved to sew since she was 10 and took her first lesson at the old Singer store at the Auburn Mall. After being laid off from her office job 5½ years ago, she decided to turn the embroidery work she did for gifts into a business, Embroidered and More. She built a local following through a Facebook page she and friend Lori Rist co-moderates, West Boylston & Surrounding Handmade for Sale. “West Boylston embroidery business offers a chance to customize your gift giving,” Dec. 3 issue..
Brenda DiSessa comes from a long line of bakers and hopes to spread that love to her children.
She also wants to share it with the community. She recently began a new business, Nana’s Best Home Baked, selling all the dry ingredients you need to make the recipes in your own home. “Bake like a grandmother with kits from Nana’s Best,” Dec. 10.
After Lori Rist’s favorite local soy candle company closed, she did what anyone would do: She made her own.
Eventually that became LoriK Creations.
