My Economy

Matthew Wicker, owner of Oregon-based WickerWoodWorks, is profiting from the renewed popularity of records and record players.

"For me, quilting is about our relationship in a lot of ways," said co-owner Jacqueline Economo about her mother.

"There was a romantic ideal about being in control of your own destiny," says Backwards Distilling co-founder Amber Pollock.

Adam Kephart of Poulsbo, Washington, went from government employee to coffee barista to flight instructor. His next stop:? airline pilot.

Danielle McCarthy and Ellen Kelly run a luxury wedding stationery business in Newport, Rhode Island, where they specialize in letterpress printing.

Ashley Morken of Unglued in Fargo, North Dakota, has been expanding her staff and adjusting to new responsibilities.

"I got that first chainsaw and, I don't know, I just felt right at home," says Taylor White, a chainsaw carver in Maine.

Shepherdess Land & Livestock offers prescribed grazing services with sheep and goats.

"After having my urban hikes for about a year, I realized that if I wanted my business to grow, that I would need to focus full time on it, and that was a scary leap," said Lisa Peña, owner of Urban Hikes Kansas City.

Aaron Therol says he's saving a piece of history while he's saving people from distractions.