The Bean Coffee House – Tamara Walters
Investing in her beloved hometown community of North East, PA was always Tamara Walters’ goal. She left her job in higher education to start the Small City Roasting Company and soon after, opened The Bean Coffee House in 2016. The Bean sources its coffee from diverse corners of the globe, importing beans that are roasted fresh on-site daily, ground to perfection, and brewed fresh daily. Beyond its exceptional coffee offerings, The Bean boasts a wide selection of specialty drinks and seasonal delights. Complementing these offerings is a creative café menu, featuring homemade breakfast and lunch items served seven days a week.

Are there any role models or mentors who have influenced your entrepreneurial journey?
 “I actually found mentorship from Erie restauranteur John Melody. He was a huge mentor for me, giving me the confidence to take the leap. We were office neighbors when we worked together in higher education. He was a huge part of me chasing my dreams and switching careers to find something greater for me and my family."

Pulakos Chocolates – Sara Harris
Pulakos Chocolates was founded in 1903 and is Erie's oldest chocolate company. Sara Harris and her husband Randy purchased Pulakos in January 2023, and their excitement to continue the legacy of this iconic 120-year-old Erie business is palpable. Pulakos’ display cases are overflowing with tempting confections including assorted truffles and creams, chocolate novelties, seasonal selections, and of course, chocolate-covered strawberries made fresh daily.   

How do you balance your personal and professional life while running a business?
"Work / Life balance is a constant effort. I focus on being self-aware and flexible, recognizing and addressing the needs of both personal and professional life as one or the other needs more attention. Being a business owner takes up a lot of your time. When I shifted my perspective to “I get to do..."  from "I have to do..." it made a positive difference. It's vital to take time for yourself, spend time with those, or do the things that "fill your cup" to keep you energized. "

Moose Head Pottery – Dina Petro
Each time Dina and her husband Robert crack open up their kiln, anticipation fills the air as they eagerly unveil their latest creations. Dina’s passion for locally crafted functional art radiates through Moose Head Pottery, delighting customers who share in their enthusiasm. Through the years, their studio has curated a distinctive array of hand-painted, one-of-a-kind pieces, offering the added touch of personalization to suit each customer’s unique taste.

 What inspired you to start your own business?
“After my husband had a vision to produce a product that was a functional piece of artwork that people would want to use or display, I saw how happy they made people and as a result, I got hooked on pottery. I love designing new shapes and coming up with new color combinations that make people smile. In 2021, we opened up our retail gallery on Upper Peach Street to sell locally-made functional stoneware pottery to people all over the country.”