Apr 20, 2026 | Businesses, Financial
Tell us about your Savvy Financial Solutions. I’ve been passionate about small business for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs — a third-generation small business owner. I was a retail business owner on Newbury Street at the age of 25. I was a full-charge bookkeeper for the same business at age 21. What always fascinated me wasn’t just the day-to-day operations, but the bigger picture behind the business: the successes, the pain points, and most importantly the numbers that told the real story.
At 42, I decided to formalize what had always been a part of my life and went back to school for a certificate in accounting. I initially thought I would pursue a CPA, but along the way I realized something important — my true passion wasn’t in public accounting. It was, and always has been, in supporting small businesses. That realization is what led me to become a bookkeeper for small business owners. I understand their challenges because I’ve lived them. I know the pride, the pressure, and the hustle that go into keeping a business alive. And I love helping entrepreneurs make sense of their numbers so they can make confident business decisions and grow their businesses with clarity and control.
The services that I offer my clients include: Bookkeeping & Financial Organization, Financial Reporting & Insights, Diagnostic Review & Clean-Up, Accounts Payable & Receivable, Compliance & Administrative Support, Systems Setup & Optimization and Advisory & Support. To learn more about specific services that fall under these categories, please visit my website at Savvyfinancialedge.com
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? The best piece of business advice I’ve ever received is to choose work you’re passionate about. If you’re passionate, the effort will feel natural, the challenges will feel worthwhile and your success will just become a byproduct of that commitment. My best advice to small business owners is that monthly financials and staying on top of your numbers will help you run your business and make better decisions. Waiting until the end of the year to compile financials will not help you. (other than to pay your taxes).
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? My favorite spot in Marblehead is the Lighthouse on Marblehead Neck. Overlooking Marblehead Harbor there is a perfect mix of ocean views, passing boats and wide-open sky. It’s my reminder to slow down, gain perspective and stay grounded. It’s ironic that what the lighthouse brings to me – clarity and perspective – is what I strive to bring to my clients. I want them to step back, see the bigger picture and move forward with confidence.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People are most surprised that I owned a retail store on Newbury Street when I was 25 years old.
For More Information:
Savvy Financial Solutions LLC
Dawn Gilliland, Owner
[email protected]
SavvyFinancialEdge.com
Apr 14, 2026 | Businesses, Jewelry, Shopping
Photo (left to right): Graham Henderson (Sales Lead & Certified Gemologist), Steven Tyler Manchini (Co-owner & Jeweler), Maria Demos (Co-owner & Admin), Ernie Thomas (Co-owner & Jeweler).
Tell us about your business and how you help/serve your clients. Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a small, independent studio specializing in custom-designed pieces, heirloom redesigns, expert repairs, and the informative buying and selling of gold and other precious metals. We work one-on-one with clients to transform their ideas, stories, and sentimental jewelry into pieces they can wear every day, guiding them through materials, design options, and budgets so the final piece feels both deeply personal and beautifully crafted.
What inspired you to start your business? This business grew from a love of both craftsmanship and connection. Over the years, we saw how meaningful jewelry can be when it truly reflects someone’s life, whether that is an engagement ring, a memorial piece, or a family heirloom needing a new chapter. Creating a dedicated space for that kind of thoughtful, collaborative work in Marblehead felt like a natural next step.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running a business? One of the biggest lessons has been the importance of clear, caring communication. Being transparent about timelines, processes, and what is realistically possible helps build trust and long-term relationships. We have also learned that staying flexible and listening closely to client feedback is essential for sustainable growth while still honoring our values and standards.
What do you love most about Marblehead? Marblehead has a unique mix of history, coastal beauty, and a genuinely supportive small-business community. There is something special about working in a town where people value local, handcrafted work and where neighbors truly want to see each other succeed. While having friends and family support us is one thing, seeing the wider community so invested in our success has been especially meaningful and motivating.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? People are often surprised to learn that everyone at Marblehead Custom Jewelry is a first‑generation jeweler, not part of a long line of jewelers or a legacy family business. Unlike many jewelry shops that are passed down through generations, we each chose this field independently and built our skills, studio, and systems from the ground up. This gives us the freedom to question “the way it’s always been done” and to approach design, customer service, and problem‑solving with a fresh, open mindset.
For More Information:
Marblehead Custom Jewelry
Steven Manchini – Co-Owner & Jeweler
66 Washington Street, Marblehead
MarbleheadCustomJewelry.com
Apr 6, 2026 | Businesses, Health & Wellness
Tell us about your business, why you started it, and how you help your clients. I truly stumbled into this journey. As a lifelong dancer and interior designer, I was always active, but in 2019, at age 55, I had a moment of clarity. I realized I needed to take control of my health and my future so I could stay strong and mobile for myself and my family. With determination as my guide, I began what has now evolved into G’lean, an oasis for women, especially those over 40 and 50, who are serious about reclaiming their health. I strongly believe that every woman over 50 should be doing this work.
What makes G’lean different from any other fitness studio is its supportive, welcoming environment where self-doubt, fear, and self-consciousness fade away. G’lean’s programming is intentionally diverse, meant for women seeking options beyond a single-style gym: strength training, barre, yoga, and Pilates, along with TRX and BOSU workouts. I offer small-group classes capped at eight people, providing personalized attention and a variety of modalities. This allows coaches to modify workouts and reduce the fear of injury, a concern she often hears from women over 40, those rehabbing surgeries, or easing back into regular activity.
G’lean serves as a comprehensive wellness space that combines movement with recovery tools and accountability systems — and a social structure meant to keep members returning. Beyond movement, we focus on total wellness, offering recovery tools such as a far-infrared sauna that includes red light therapy. The studio also uses SHAPESCALE, a scanning system that provides a three-dimensional image of the body along with detailed composition measurements that can be compared over time.
Most importantly, we help women shift their mindset: no one can prioritize your health for you. It must become your priority. And often, the people who will be most grateful for that decision are the ones who love you most.
What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? Be authentic. Be the best. I love what I do because it is more than a business; it is fulfilling work that truly impacts lives.
What is your favorite spot in Marblehead, and why? The walking trails! It’s peaceful, grounding, and a reminder of how important it is to keep moving and take time for yourself, something I encourage all of my clients to do.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Before starting G’lean, I enjoyed a 14+ year career as a flight attendant, as well as working in internal training and management for American Airlines. That experience taught me so much about people, service, and adaptability, all of which I bring into my business today.
For More Information:
G’Lean Well Being
Cathy Crist – Founder, Owner, Instructor
[email protected]
gleanwb.com
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