Journey of  SMEs and Startups

In digital marketing, success is often measured by how long a client stays with an agency. Viral Coach, founded by Daniel Iles in 2023, approaches that relationship from a different perspective: the real achievement is helping a business develop the skills and systems to manage its own growth. Based in Palmer, Alaska, Viral Coach has built its business around a proposition that challenges the conventional agency model. Instead of making clients permanently reliant on external

LaunchX, an entrepreneurship education organization founded by Laurie Stach in 2012, has built its programs around that practical dimension of learning. Designed for young people with an interest in entrepreneurship, the organization combines structured instruction with team-based projects, startup development, industry exposure and competitions. Its central premise is straightforward: aspiring entrepreneurs learn more when they have opportunities to put their knowledge into

Based in Brighton, Michigan, Medical Marketing Whiz (MMW) focuses on marketing for practices in women's health, longevity medicine, functional medicine and aesthetics. Over the past decade, Werner has developed the business around specialized industry knowledge, patient education and long-term client relationships. Now, following a merger with SERP Dental, the company is entering a new phase—one that Werner hopes will strengthen its capabilities and position the business for

Apex Financial Partners, a holding company established in 2025 and based in Costa Mesa, California, is positioning itself around this broader view of business development. Founded by Richard O’Connor, the company aims to identify, support and own businesses with long-term growth potential, bringing together financial resources, industry experience and strategic relationships to help opportunities progress.

Sunday Brunch Agency was established to offer a different approach. Founded in 2016 by marketing executive and entrepreneur Rachel Svoboda, the full-service agency is based in Orange County, California. It brings multiple marketing disciplines together under one relationship, helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals translate ideas into brands designed for growth.

For Sandra Rathe, founder of The Sandra Rathe Team, this understanding sits at the centre of the business. Established in 2009 and based in Weston, Florida, the team helps clients navigate property purchases and sales across South Florida. Its philosophy extends beyond the immediate transaction, with an emphasis on developing relationships that can continue long after a closing is complete. The approach is reflected in the team's tagline, “Your Realtors For Life.” Rather than

Founded in 2019 and based in El Segundo, California, Electric Goddess is a battery research and development company that combines specialist consulting with an in-house laboratory. Led by founder and CEO Erika Guerrero, alongside Chief Scientist Luke Workman, the company works with organizations developing battery-powered products and energy systems for applications across land, sea, air, and space. proposition is straightforward: when published research, supplier datasheets,

Ignite Energy Access is positioning itself to address that challenge at scale. Founded in 2014 by Yariv Cohen and Angela Homsi, the company has developed a distributed renewable energy platform serving households, businesses and communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, it brings together solar home systems, mini-grids, commercial and industrial solar, flexible financing and digital infrastructure.

For Elizabeth Hall, founder of eeze Natural Health, this challenge was personal long before it became a business opportunity. After years of dealing with constipation and digestive difficulties that became particularly disruptive while travelling, Hall set out to develop a solution inspired by her own experiences. That effort eventually became a women-owned wellness company focused on convenient digestive-health products for everyday routines and life on the go.

Addressing these less visible dimensions of the cancer experience is the focus of The Cancer Journey Institute, an organisation established in 2012 by Shariann Tom and developed in collaboration with co-founder Keri Lehmann. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Institute trains specialist cancer coaches and offers coaching, workshops and educational resources to people navigating cancer and its aftermath.

IVFbabble was created to help bridge that gap. Founded in 2016 by Tracey Bambrough and Sara Marshall-Page, the platform grew from the founders’ personal experiences of fertility treatment into an international resource for fertility education, expert guidance, patient stories, and community support. In 2026, the introduction of Babble Connect marked a further step in that journey. The AI-powered fertility planning platform is designed to bring clinics, experts, employers, sup

Yanara Tavares Viana Discover how Yanara Tavares Viana's Vila Viana initiative connects affordable housing, renewable energy, water resilience, urban agriculture, and ESG in Mozambique. Sustainable housing in Mozambique; Vila Viana Sustainable Housing Initiative; ESG community development; affordable sustainable housing; renewable energy communities; rainwater harvesting; urban agriculture; sustainable development in Africa.

As the founder of FitzPatrick & Associates, established in 1995, she has built her professional focus around helping organizations navigate the increasingly complex landscape of global data protection, privacy regulations, data sovereignty, cybersecurity obligations, and emerging technologies. Her work addresses a challenge facing businesses of every size: how to operate across borders, use information responsibly, and pursue technological innovation while meeting the legal r

Nicole Craveiro CraveHRO Discover how Nicole Craveiro founded CraveHRO to help small businesses navigate HR compliance, employee relations, and people-first workplace practices. Outsourced HR for small businesses; small business HR consulting; employee relations; HR compliance; people-first workplace culture; proactive human resources; Nicole Craveiro.

Emily Lenning Blossom Marketing Discover how Emily Lenning built Blossom Marketing into a boutique digital marketing agency focused on tailored strategy, client partnerships, and measurable business growth. Digital marketing agency Virginia; small business marketing strategy; social media marketing; email marketing; SEO and Google Ads; marketing ROI; boutique marketing agency.

Tanya Hilts Cloud Business Services Small business bookkeeping Canada, cloud accounting, financial clarity, profit planning coach, client accounting services, responsible AI in accounting Discover how Tanya Hilts and Cloud Business Services combine cloud accounting, profit planning and financial education to help small businesses make informed decisions.

Amanda Sheerin recognised the importance of making financial support more accessible and consistent. Through Amazing Accounting Services LLC, she has built a practice offering tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, business-startup assistance and ongoing financial guidance. But the business's development was shaped by more than a market opportunity. Amanda's decision to become an entrepreneur followed a period of significant personal difficulty that changed what she could rea

For Gina Englund, this was not simply an educational challenge. It was a reason to rethink how children were being taught. As an educator, she saw a need for a different approach to supporting students with dyslexia. She believed that children who learned differently needed more than occasional assistance within an existing system. They needed an educational environment built around their learning profiles, with specialised instruction and the opportunity to recognise their o

Mubarakka M. Lokhandwala believes there is a better way. As Executive Director of MML Global Advisory, Lokhandwala is building a multidisciplinary advisory platform designed to bring legal, financial, business, real estate and strategic expertise together. Established in 2023 in Mumbai, the firm works with businesses, entrepreneurs and investors on growth, expansion, funding, compliance and cross-border opportunities. The proposition is straightforward: instead of asking a cl

Luxury interior design is often described through the language of aesthetics: beautiful fabrics, custom furnishings, dramatic spaces and carefully considered details. For Claudia Leah, however, the real measure of a successful home begins somewhere else. How well does it work for the people who live there—and how well will it hold up over time? That philosophy has shaped Claudia Leah Design, the Naples, Florida, interior design studio she built after taking on a new Decorat

For many businesses, legal advice enters the picture only when something has already gone wrong: a contract dispute, a trademark conflict, a compliance issue or litigation that can no longer be avoided. Sadaf Reza Khan sees the role of a law firm differently. For her, good legal counsel should begin much earlier—when a founder is structuring a company, negotiating a deal, protecting a brand or deciding how a business should grow. That thinking sits at the heart of Lexicon Leg

On a modern manufacturing line, quality is measured at a speed that humans cannot always match. A component may move past an inspection point in a fraction of a second. A pharmaceutical package may need its label, code and contents verified before it moves to the next stage. A vial or closure may need to be inspected for defects across thousands of units. The challenge is no longer simply automating a repetitive task. It is creating systems capable of seeing, deciding and res

A consulting report can identify a weakness. A recommendation can point towards a solution. But neither necessarily changes what happens inside a business the next morning. For Neha Chawla, that distinction became central to the way she wanted to build a consulting firm. Founded in 2023 in Ludhiana, Savitur Global Advisians LLP works across internal audits, risk advisory, process reviews, SAP implementation support and offshore accounting solutions. Its stated ambition is t

A company's tax position can affect its investment decisions. A business expansion may require financing and compliance support. Personal wealth can involve investments, insurance, retirement planning and property. For entrepreneurs, corporate structuring and taxation can be closely connected to long-term financial goals. Hemant Pant built his career around understanding those connections. Today, H K Pant Corporate Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. operates across taxation, corpor

Launching a personal care brand can seem like a commitment to large production runs, expensive manufacturing and significant upfront investment. Mamtaa Bagdai believes that is not always the smartest place to begin. Through LabQuenz Science, the Jaipur-based entrepreneur combines customised personal care manufacturing with formulation education, helping emerging brands and students move from an idea to a tangible product without immediately taking on the burden of large-scal

A construction project rarely fails because of a lack of ideas. More often, the difficulty lies in turning those ideas into something that can actually be built, procured, managed and maintained within the realities of a budget and timeline. That gap between design and execution is where Chennai-based YOSH Buiild sees an opportunity. Led by founder and architect Yokeshwaran, the company operates as a multidisciplinary AEPC—Architecture, Engineering, Procurement and Constructi

Established in Bhopal in 2008, E-Herex has evolved across technology, services, skill development and workforce solutions. But its most significant transformation came when the organisation moved into the skills sector and began addressing a problem that continues to affect India's employment market: people may be looking for jobs while businesses struggle to find people with the right skills.For E-Herex, the answer was not simply to train more people.

For Shajahan E, the dry-fruit business was not an entirely new world. His family had already spent decades in the trade. The organisation was originally established by his father as a trading business, building experience and relationships within the dry-fruit industry. But in 2018, Shajahan decided to take that foundation in a new direction. Natural Raisins & Spices emerged as a new venture, shifting the focus toward manufacturing and creating a distinct brand around raisin

Technology has become too important for businesses to ignore, yet too complex for many organisations to manage alone. That is the space Civicos Networking has positioned itself to occupy. Based in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain, the company operates as an external technology department for businesses and organisations, bringing together IT infrastructure, cloud systems, telecommunications, cybersecurity and digital transformation under one relationship.

For Priti Agarwal, education was never simply about examination results. Her ambition was shaped by a question that remains central to Billabong High International School, Kanpur: What if schools prepared children not only to succeed in exams, but to navigate a world that is changing faster than traditional education systems? That question became the foundation of her journey as an education entrepreneur. Agarwal had already built a diverse professional identity—as a lawyer,

Kshama Rangan is an engineer, social entrepreneur and inclusion advocate who is challenging the traditional way society approaches inclusion. Her conviction is simple but powerful: Inclusion is a right, not charity. From technology and women's livelihoods to disability inclusion and sport, Kshama is building ventures designed to change the systems that determine who gets to participate, earn, lead and belong.

Mary Ann Viloria, Founder and Managing Director of Creative Quest Corporation, has built her entrepreneurial journey around resilience, creativity, and the belief that circumstances do not have to determine a person's future. Based in the Philippines, Creative Quest is a full-service marketing and events agency that helps organizations create meaningful brand experiences and stronger connections with customers, partners, and communities.

Lorraine Nielsen, Founder and Director of Property Destinations, has built her career around a simple but powerful philosophy: strategy comes before property, and clarity before commitment. Founded in 2008, Property Destinations is a Brisbane-based property investment advisory that helps Australians build long-term wealth through strategic property investment, independent research, tax-effective planning, and portfolio development.

Lora Georgieva is the owner of Destination College, a college planning and financial aid consulting firm that has been helping students get into their dream colleges while saving families an average of $120,000+ through expert admissions guidance and extensive financial options through grants and scholarships. Founded in 2010 and based in Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA, Destination College provides comprehensive admission and financial aid assistance to families across the Unite

Jane Cesino is the owner of Star Maids Cleaning Solutions, a residential and commercial cleaning company serving Montgomery and Howard Counties, Maryland, USA. Founded in 2011, the company has helped busy families and businesses enjoy cleaner, healthier, and more peaceful spaces through reliable, high-quality cleaning services for more than 15 years. Jane's leadership journey began when she built a business from the ground up with a desire to support her family's income, crea

Sabreena Michel is the founder of Sabreena Frances Artistry + Aesthetics, a cosmetic tattoo, paramedical tattoo, fine-line tattoo, and aesthetics practice serving Starkville, Mississippi, and surrounding communities. Founded in 2015, the practice offers services including brows, lip blushing, eyeliner, scar and areola restoration, tiny tattoos, and advanced skin treatments focused on helping clients look and feel their best.

Kristina George is the co-owner of Next Step Insurance, a Wisconsin-based agency dedicated to helping individuals, families, and employers navigate health insurance with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Founded in 2013 and based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, USA, Next Step Insurance specializes in Medicare, health insurance, employee benefits, life insurance, and additional coverage options.

Liza Nguyen is the founder and CEO of Wise Above Consulting, LLC, a full-service accounting firm providing bookkeeping, tax preparation, tax planning, financial planning, and life insurance protection services for individuals and small business owners. Founded in 2024 and based in Costa Mesa, California, USA, Wise Above Consulting is a family-owned, minority-owned, and woman-led business committed to helping clients understand their finances, stay compliant, reduce taxes, and

Tammy Cook is the founder of TLC Bookkeeping, a professional services firm offering tax preparation, tax resolution, and bookkeeping services to individuals, small businesses, medium businesses, and non-profit organizations. Founded in 2022 and based in Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA, TLC Bookkeeping is dedicated to providing professional, personalized service and guidance for clients' financial and business needs.

Karina L. Borgia-Lacroix is the founder and owner of American Real Title and Borgia Consulting Corporation, a 100% woman and minority-owned business that has served the real estate industry for more than 17 years. With over 27 years of experience as a title, escrow, and closing agent, she has built her company around one simple philosophy: make one of life's most important transactions feel seamless, transparent, and stress-free. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, USA, Karina has

Barbara H. Gormley, Esquire, is the founder of Barbara H. Gormley, P.A. , a full-service personal injury law firm located in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Founded in 1999, the firm has proudly provided the highest quality of legal services both inside and out of the courtroom throughout the State of Florida for over 27 years. Barbara has been rated by her peers and judges as an AV Preeminent® attorney—the highest peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. This prestigious rating is give

Sonya Lea Skipp is the CEO of iFacts (Pty) Ltd, a South African-based background screening and verification company that provides comprehensive pre-employment vetting services to organisations across various industries. Founded in 2001 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, iFacts offers services including identity verification, criminal record checks, qualification and employment verification, credit checks, reference checks, and other due diligence solutions.

Allison McNamara is the founder of MARA, an award-winning, algae-powered skincare brand founded on the belief that high-performance beauty can be both luxurious and sustainable. Founded in 2018 and based in Los Angeles, USA, MARA formulates clinically effective skincare using nutrient-dense marine ingredients sourced from around the world. Available in all Sephora stores nationwide and on Sephora, as well as through Amazon, Goop, and other premium retailers, MARA's mission is

Megan Davies is the founder and owner of MD Pilates Pty Ltd, a boutique Pilates studio focused on helping people move better, feel stronger, and improve their overall quality of life through mindful movement. Founded in 2017 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, MD Pilates offers personalised Pilates classes designed to support posture correction, pain management, rehabilitation, strength, flexibility, and emotional wellbeing.

Rena Parikh is the founder of Encore Design Studio, a design-led practice focused on creating thoughtful, human-centric environments across workplaces, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and residential spaces. Founded in 2022 and based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Encore Design Studio is built on a larger vision: shaping environments that influence behaviour, culture, well-being, and business performance in meaningful ways. At Encore, design is not merely about aesthetics or

Amy Meadows, Founder and CEO of SmartHER Ventures Inc, is redefining entrepreneurial education by transforming the traditional business accelerator model into a compelling reality show. Founded in 2025 and based in Richmond, USA, SmartHER Ventures takes a business accelerator and turns it into a 12-episode reality series, following five women-led companies through their entrepreneurial journey. Each episode is themed around a business topic—such as Legal, Finance, Design,

Ariadne Dulchinos is the co-founder and CTO of Avenir AI, an AI service company that is transforming the employee benefits industry by helping employers and brokers make smarter healthcare decisions—reducing costs while improving access to care for employees. Founded in 2025 and based in San Francisco, USA, Avenir AI operates in the $1T+ employee benefits market, serving CFOs, Heads of Total Rewards, and benefits brokers. The company acts as an "AI employee" that sits on top

Francesca Bilyard, Founder of Diamonds & DrillBits LLC, is proving that residential remodeling is about far more than construction—it is about trust, communication, and creating spaces that feel like home. Founded in Pemberton, New Jersey, USA, in 2022, her woman-owned remodeling company has built a reputation for fair pricing, high-quality craftsmanship, and an exceptional customer experience that goes beyond industry expectations.

Caroline Garnham, Founder and CEO of Caroline's Club, is redefining business development for professional services. Founded in London, United Kingdom, in 2021, Caroline's Club helps lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, consultants, and other professionals build trust, visibility, and long-term client relationships through an award-winning Client Mapping methodology.

People are the heart of every successful organisation. Yet many workplaces still struggle to create environments where employees feel genuinely supported, respected, and understood. Recognising this gap, Alison Allen founded Sparks HR Consultancy Ltd with a vision to transform workplace culture through practical HR expertise, compassionate leadership, and inclusive wellbeing initiatives. Rather than viewing HR as simply policies and procedures, Alison believes it is about