Small Business Stories:

For several generations, young men in Baltimore have been earning a living by selling fresh produce from horse-drawn carriages. The vendors provide an essential service to their communities. Now, there are all but a dozen left who continue the tradition.

Role: Senior Producer 

At one time there were thousands of slot car racing enthusiasts. But now, excitement around the sport has dwindled, and there is only one place left in New York City to race. Welcome to the mean racetracks of Buzz-A-Rama.

Role: Senior Producer

For more than 60 years, the Grado family has been crafting headphones by hand out of a nondescript Brooklyn building. They haven't advertised since 1964, but have made fans of John Mayer, Spike Jonze and members of Aerosmith. Here's how one family has honed the Grado signature

Role: Senior Producer 

Only four years ago, BLK & Bold co-founders Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson were both in their previous careers—Cezar in retail merchandising and Johnson in higher-education fundraising. Now they have 10 employees, and their coffee and tea products are on the shelves of national chains.

Role: Head of Creative/Executive Producer

Like most human beings who make good music, and even great music, Kokayi is not a household name, and he’s not rich. As a rapper and producer, most of his income comes from touring, so the COVID-19 pandemic hit his world hard. Here’s how he reinvented himself from home by tapping into a family tree rich with perseverance, leaning into his creativity, and making some key purchases on Amazon. In a trying year, Kokayi used his music to fight pandemic blues, and deepened his connections with fans around the world. This is the ongoing story of how a voice of Black resilience refuses to let COVID have the last word.

Role: Head of Creative/Executive Producer

Women own 48% of the businesses selling in the Amazon.com store, according to a recent poll of Amazon sellers. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who launched these leaders. It's been about two decades since Sandra Manay's single mother left the family's native Peru in search of work. Manay and her sister stayed behind with their beloved grandmother, while their mom lived in the United States and waited tables in restaurants. Manay ultimately got to reunite with her mom in the U.S., finish high school, graduate from Parsons School of Design in New York City, and go on to start Luna Sundara. The small business is thriving by selling in Amazon’s store. Along with employees and artisans on two continents, the company now provides full-time jobs for Manay, her husband, her sister, and her mother. "My mom and I always talk about trying to get the time back that we missed," she said.

Role: Head of Creative/Executive Producer

With Yolélé, Chef Pierre Thiam is offering Amazon customers bold, fresh tastes and creating global opportunities for farmers in his homeland.

Role: Head of Creative/Executive Producer