The Garage is the new, flexible structure for business strategy-sharing, inspiration and anticipated collaboration created by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce to replace the orderly aisles of exhibitors that for two decades populated its erstwhile annual Business Expo. more

While new construction has yet to recover from the end of the real estate bubble, home improvement is thriving for companies like Woonsocket’s Moonworks that have the skills and reputation to attract new clients. President Jim Moon, pictured above, started the company in 1993 with a single product, gutter guards. He’s since grown the firm, which now employs 90, and its services. Moonworks also does roofs, installs replacement windows and, most recently, energy-efficiency retrofits. Gutters, however, are still the main product, accounting for roughly half of current sales. more

William F. Hatfield is president of Bank of America in the Rhode Island market, a position that allows him to see the details of the state’s economy as well as to cast an eye toward the nation. As the bank emerges from the “hard work” of cleaning up after the nation’s financial meltdown, Hatfield sees “great opportunity” for his company and the region. more

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick has requested federal relief for small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by the Boston Marathon bombing that occurred April 15. more

Ahh, the joys of self-employment – being your own boss, setting your own hours, doing what you like, and, oh yes, establishing a life-long bond with your accountant. Being self-employed also means being responsible for a wide range of critical tax-related duties. more

At 23 years old, DeCastro Landscaping President Gairad DeCastro always has to be at the top of his professional game when he meets new customers. more

The latest group of fledgling entrepreneurs from the Betaspring startup accelerator are scheduled to present their companies to a sold-out crowd of more than 300 investors, business leaders and other entrepreneurs Thursday night at the accelerator’s Chestnut Street headquarters. more

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the 2013 Rhode Island small business award winners on Thursday, with Farmaesthetics Founder and CEO Brenda Brock earning the title of “Small Business Person of the Year.” more

The vast majority of Rhode Island’s enterprises are small businesses, with fewer than 100 employees. It is no exaggeration to say that as they go, so goes Rhode Island. more

Women-owned businesses in Rhode Island are not growing at the rate as those in the rest of the country. Even more alarming, while the number of businesses is growing at that slower pace, the number of people employed by women-owned companies has actually shrunk since 1997, according to a survey by American Express. more