Meet the Owner

10 Questions with Judy Fenner Marine's Judy Fenner

Staying small gives Fenner a big edge in customer service.

10 Questions, Shoot! Q: What did you dream of being as a kid?  When I was little, I wanted to be a nurse.  That was before I found sailing.  Then I wanted to sail around the world.  When I was graduating from college, Hood Sailmakers found a copy of my resume which had accidentally been put into their printing order and they called and asked me if I wanted a job.  I said no, because I had made a commitment to teaching sailing at Hyannis Yacht Club, where I had grown up.  My father always made us work on our own boats if we wanted to sail, that was the deal, so that's how I got into working on boats. Q: How does your personality play into your business?   I'm friendly, outgoing, and honest.  My business slogan is "Your boat is my resume" …

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Judy Fenner

9:48 am on Monday, January 30, 2012

Thanks Shepitka.   more ›

10 Questions with Dance Designs' Susan Mendoza Friedman

Inspired by her students, Friedman keeps her dance studio family-oriented.

10 Questions, Shoot! Q: What did you dream of being as a kid?  This was the toughest question! I partially dreamed of being a dancer and a teacher, but I can’t say there was really anything specific—it was a long time ago! Q: How does your personality play into your business?  I’m extremely organized, creative, even tempered, sensitive to people, hard-working, and I like to work with kids.   Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business?  I was teaching public school, doing a lot of after-school dance programs, and I also taught a dance class during the summer for the Barnstable parks and recreation department. I was encouraged by all the parents who wanted me to do more than the summer classes, and it just snowballed from there. Q: …

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Meet the Owner

10 Questions with Woman's Workout Company's Susan Taylor

Despite growing competition,Taylor's unique gym pays off for women who are both novices and experts in the world of fitness.

10 Questions, Shoot! What did you dream of being as a kid? Horses were my life for most of my childhood and I dreamed of somehow making that my life but as I got older I was more interested in being part of the medical profession. Owning and operating a women’s fitness center never once popped into my head as a child. How does your personality play into your business? I love things organized, and the mistake many owners make in the fitness business is to rely just on the workout component. This business is a strong mix of fitness, service and managing details.  At what moment did you decide to open a business? I was working out in a local club that came up for sale. I loved the idea of helping women be successful. At that time, and even …

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10 Questions with Roy-L Groomingdale's Roy Laferriere

Laferriere's dreams came true at a Barnstable High School dog show.

Q: What did you dream of being as a kid? As a child I always admired the different breeds of dogs and always hoped to do something with this interest. I am living my dream today with my dog salon. Q: How does your personality play into your business? My caring, positive energy plays a big roll in this business. Our personalities at Roy-L Groomingdales helps to earn the dogs' trust and makes the owner comfortable to leave their “best friend” with us. Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business? I began grooming a few breeds for neighbors and friends at my home. Then I apprenticed with a dog groomer. I instantly knew I wanted to open a dog salon and what better place than dog friendly Cape Cod? Q: What inspired you? My inspiration …

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10 Questions with Summer House Natural Soaps' Ann Miller

This little "mom" business satisfies Miller's dreams, and keeps her clean.

10 Questions, Shoot! Q:  What did you dream of being as a kid? Artist, writer, explorer and farmer. Q:   How does your personality play into your business? I still get to play, create, explore and grow things. Q:  At what moment did you decide to open a business? When my kids were small, I decided to start a little "mom" business with a couple of friends. It grew very slowly from there. Q:  What inspired you? Among other things, around that time I read an article in Martha Stewart's Living about a woman who ran a successful artisanal soap business out of an old chicken coop on her land in rural Ohio. That seemed like the coolest thing. Q:   Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Barnstable? The high cost of …

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10 Questions with Cape Cod Organic Farm's Tim Friary

Friary gives us three good reasons to buy our food from local farms.

10 Questions, Shoot! Q: What did you dream of being as a kid? Believe it or not, a farmer - my grandparents had a farm so I was always around it. They mostly had vegetables but occasionally chickens or a pig. Q: How does your personality play into your business? I am impulsive, in a good way, I am not afraid to act. I am constantly moving and adapting. I have to make quick decisions and let them go. Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business? I became a single parent for three young children and I needed to make ends meet. Farming seemed natural. Q: What inspired you? We (my mother, father and four brothers) lived off the land growing up. Farming was a good transition to continue to use what this land offers rather than abuse its …

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Meet the Owner

10 Questions with Hubbard Paint and Wallpaper's Steve Hubbard

When he's not at the store, you can find Steve taking a few laps around the pool.

Q:  What did you dream of being as a kid? A Boston Bruins hockey player. Q:   How does your personality play into your business? Well, retailing requires that the customer is always right, so hopefully my personality is such that I can listen and provide for the customer what they want. Q:  At what moment did you decide to open a business? I went into the family business right out of college because the opportunity presented itself and was exactly what I wanted & needed to do at that time. Q:  What inspired you? The potential that was possible. As a result of my parent's hard work. Q:   Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Barnstable? Making sure that we do not get over looked in the always changing business …

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10 Questions with 1856 Country Store's Lorraine O'Connor

Inspired by her grandfather, O'Connor has no complaints about doing business in Barnstable.

10 Questions, Shoot! Q:  What did you dream of being as a kid? A nurse, but as a teenager I helped out in my grandfather's shop and fell in love with retail. Q:   How does your personality play into your business? I love to meet and talk with people. Q:  At what moment did you decide to open a business? When we relocated our family to the Cape in the 1970's. Q:  What inspired you? Once again, I think working alongside my grandfather gave me a strong indication I'd like to run a family business one day. Q:  Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in the town of Barnstable? I'm stumped by this one, haven't run into any challenges. Q:  Describe the best thing about owning a business in the Town of Barnstable? The incredible …

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Meet the Owner

10 Questions with Sass on Main's Sarah Flaherty

"No risk, no glory" drives this Cape native to stay with her dream.

Q: What did you dream of being as a kid? A ballerina. Q: How does your personality play into your business? I worked in sales for years after college and so talking to people comes easy to me. Also, dressing up and being fashionable are my favorite things to do, so between the two… Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business? When I was laid off from my job in Boston, I decided to work for myself and in a field I am passionate about! Q: What inspired you? Growing up here on the Cape, my girlfriends and I would head off Cape any chance we could get to find styles that were high fashion and unique and so I thought why not bring a store to Cape Cod that would provide that for young fashionistas living here! So I guess I was inspired …

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Meet the Owner

10 Questions with Longo Electric's William Longo

For Longo, necessity is the mother of entrepreneurship.

Q: What did you dream of being as a kid? I thought of being an astronomer or an audio engineer. Q: How does your personality play into your business? I like meeting new people. I get along with people very easily. Q: At what moment did you decide to open a business? I have always wanted to own my own business. I got laid off from the company I was working for and could not find a job for over a year and a half.  I then decided that I was going to open my own company and I was going to make this work. Q: What inspired you? Being able to have control over my future. Q: Describe the biggest challenge of owning a business in Barnstable? Making sure I can get to my customers' homes or businesses on time with summer traffic. Q: Describe the best…

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