There isn't one playbook for running a business and the decisions business owners face are rarely straightforward. Every other week, we’ll bring together independent business owners to have frank discussions and share their perspectives on some of the most pressing issues impacting their lives—from the changing rules of commerce to work-life balance.

The past two years have been an emotional rollercoaster, and many business owners had to reinvent their companies in order to survive. Here, three business owners look back at the difficult decisions they had to make, what they learned in the process, and what is helping them continue to stay positive. Featuring Jesse Jacobs, owner of SamovarTea.com and Joyride Pizza in San Francisco, CA; Astrid Rivera, co-owner of Taming Turtle Cookies in Portland, OR; and Lauren Stovall, marketing director for men’s boutique Hot Sam’s in Detroit, MI. 

Talking Squarely | Running a Small Business

The Data