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Editor's Letter

HI THERE,

I saw a sign recently outside a local boutique that said, “When you support a small business, you’re supporting a dream.”

Suddenly, the handbag I planned to buy seemed to hold a bigger purpose. Knowing that an artisan had crafted the piece, and the shop owner had selected it for her store — those were things I already understood about how products come to market. But seeing the artisan in action and talking to the shop owner about the bag were benefits I could only experience as a small business customer.

What’s more is that I had the opportunity to talk to the boutique owner about her plans for the future of the store, and how her daughter had just made the dance team at school, and how her son was planning to attend UH later that year. The next time I stopped in the store, the owner remembered me and our conversation.

This issue of Inside Bauer celebrates small business, along with the lives and communities that benefit from supporting those dreams. As our team has met with the Bauer College students and alumni featured in these pages, one commonality has emerged — for them, business is personal.

For Bauer student Caroline Ferguson, business is honoring her father’s memory and saving lives.

For Bauer alumnus Ryan Soroka, business is bringing people together and creating a place where we all belong.

For Bauer alumna Nammy Sirur, business is finding the freedom to live authentically and encouraging others to do the same.

For Bauer student Mark Garcia-Prats, business is overcoming obstacles and growing a sustainable future for his community.

You’ll find each of their stories (and so many others) in this issue of Inside Bauer. I hope that their passion and persistence inspires you, like it’s inspired me.

Best,

Jessica Navarro
(BA ‘07, MA ‘12)
Executive Director of Communications