All Entries in the "Profiles" Category

Kristin M. MacRae, Organizing In RI, LLC

The self-driven, motivated Kristin M. MacRae launched Organizing In RI, LLC in 2012 to help people who struggle to stay organized and have time management issues both in their homes and/or businesses. Since the inception of Organizing In RI, LLC, the business has grown consistently over the past four years. Kristin said, “Being a solopreneur, aside from working side-by-side with my clients, I am also the marketing team, web design and tech team, the bookkeeper, and writer. I do it all, efficiently and effectively.”

Kristin works one-on-one with clients tackling all of their organizing needs by offering an array of services including in-home organization, business organization, time management strategy, and individualized consolidation plans. Her strong dedication to both her brand and clients, ranging from 8 year olds to corporate executives, is what has helped her become one of the best organizing experts in Rhode Island.

Additionally, Kristin is a weekly columnist for GoLocalProv.com, a contributing writer to local magazines, and makes frequent presentations throughout the state including her most recent speaking engagement at the 2016 Bryant Women’s Summit in March. She sells a 1-hour ‘Organizing Basics’ CD sold in Whole Foods Market in Cranston.

Not only is Kristin highly committed to her business, she is deeply passionate about networking and helping others, volunteering her time to charity events and has been an ambassador with the East Greenwich Chamber since 2012. Her greatest strength is that her business is never stagnant and always evolving, helping others save time and money while becoming well-organized and productive.

Loren Barham, Loren Hope Designs, LLC

It is not often enough that passion and commitment combine to guide someone in the way that it did in the case of Loren Barham. Ten years ago, Loren made a decision to leave behind her studies in fine arts to marry her partner Aaron and join him in England where he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. By taking a chance, she discovered an affinity for tapping into her creative spirit and began designing handcrafted jewelry at her kitchen table to earn an income. Now, after years of dreaming, planning, and learning, Loren is a leader in the local jewelry industry with her business Loren Hope Designs, LLC.

In a studio in an old manufacturing mill in Providence, Loren and her team of seven take great pride in their work creating stunning jewelry—often with vintage components—in a way that is considerate of customers, the environment, and the local market. She said, “We are truly passionate about jewelry, Rhode Island’s prominent history in the industry, and about preserving the art of skilled craft.” Through her achievements leading Loren Hope Designs, Loren is optimistic that her work will inspire those around her to explore their creative potential and channel it towards their own work.

Loren accredits a great deal of her team’s inspiration to the vendors they do business with. They are multi-generational and offer perspective and insight about their processes, sharing their rich, interesting stories along the way. The fascinating people around her reinforce the love that Loren has for giving back to the community and supporting local artisans. She actively seeks to preserve their skills by working closely alongside them to collaborate on ideas, techniques and processes to create innovative, heirloom quality costume jewelry.

Gina DiSpirito, Glad Works

Entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the veins of Gina DiSpirito, who grew up watching her dedicated parents work tirelessly to create and run their own successful business. Gina came to appreciate the passion needed to drive a business forward, and when it came time for her to contribute to her family and help fund her education, she began planning and establishing a graphic design business. Through those efforts, GLAD WORKS was born in 1995 during her junior year at Providence College.

As GLAD WORKS evolved, Gina was able to combine her commitment to helping other businesses grow with her love for design and technology. Having expanded into a full-service creative agency by 2001, they could now taking on tasks like design, web development, photography, marketing, advertising, copywriting, and branding for businesses in a variety of markets. Despite warnings from other professionals in the industry about taking on too much, Gina’s strategy has found great success in offering more well-rounded solutions to GLAD WORKS customers. This stability and growth has proven the strength of her intuition and serves as a testament to the quality and cohesion of their services.

Through her achievements Gina has garnered public recognition receiving multiple awards, including the Encore Award for ‘Outstanding Small Business Support in the Arts,’ Providence Business News’ ‘Business Women Achievement Award,’ the American Heart Association ‘Heart of Our Mission Award,’ and named twice as one of Providence Business News’ ‘Top Forty Under 40.’

In addition to running GLAD WORKS, Gina is actively engaged in positions on the Pawtucket Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture and the Providence College President’s Council. She continues to work with many non-profits in the local community and proudly mentors young adults from local colleges. It is through this work that she strives to “build strong leaders who will grow to make a positive impact on our state in the future.”

Kerrie Lanoie, Sonoma Bistro and WineBar

No stranger to the service industry, Kerrie Lanoie has established a successful career working in restaurants and event planning, consistently exceeding the expectations of those around her. Kerrie came into the industry as a single mother of two without so much as a high school diploma, beginning her career out of a necessity to survive and gradually finding great satisfaction in helping others through her work. It was because of her situation and a transformative mentor, that she has been compelled to pay it forward, a pursuit that is evident in her efforts to grow and transform her restaurant.

Kerrie saw the potential that Sonoma Bistro and WineBar had when she became the owner in 2012, conceptualizing a business plan to propel the restaurant to success. Inspired by her 28 years of service experience, Kerrie was able to develop a strong customer service training program for her family-like staff and attract new customers through deeper community involvement. In just a few years, this restaurant has become a premier destination for quality meal, great drinks, and live weekend entertainment. The Sonoma Bistro and WineBar is now a hot-spot for restaurant-goers, mid-sized personal and professional events, and after-work fun seekers.

The dedication that Kerrie pours into her work doesn’t end with this restaurant. She also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors at the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, helping other businesses overcome their obstacles so that they can grow and continue to serve the people of Rhode Island. The energy and enthusiasm that Kerrie brings to the community and her restaurant is contagious, and her mission to lead by example continues to inspire every day.