Sit Down With Success: A Conversation with Brett Pierce of The Masters Salon

Brett Pierce grew up in the world of hairstyling as the son of award-winning hair artists Gary and Ann Bray, who opened The Masters Salon in 1973 inside Huntsville’s old Dunnavant’s Mall. His mother, Ann, began styling hair as a teenager and went on to earn international acclaim, becoming the first American woman to win […]

Protecting Growth: A Beginner’s Guide to Small Business Insurance in Huntsville

As Huntsville’s small-business ecosystem accelerates, insurance is becoming a strategic necessity rather than an afterthought. From new retailers opening along South Parkway to agile tech consultancies in Cummings Research Park, the city’s entrepreneurial climate comes with new forms of risk—and securing the right insurance can be the difference between a temporary setback and a long-term […]

Thankful in the Rocket City: Six Huntsville Residents Share What They Are Most Grateful for in 2025

By: Katie Holt and Sarah Zupko As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on what we have to be thankful for as residents of Huntsville and North Alabama. Huntsville benefits from a growing music scene, natural beauty, consistent economic growth, and many philanthropic organizations that enrich the lives of everyone who calls this […]

Madison Mompreneur’s Holiday Shopping Guide Builds on a Long Legacy of Area Women Entrepreneurs

As holiday shoppers across Huntsville and Madison look for ways to support local businesses, the new Madison Mompreneur Holiday Shopping Guide arrives at an ideal moment. Featuring more than 100 mom-owned businesses—from handmade goods to educational services—the guide is designed to make local shopping more accessible and more community-focused during the busiest retail weekend of […]

Connecting the Dots: Rochelle Silveira’s Innovation Ecosystem Map Aims to Bring Alabama’s Innovators Together

When Rochelle Silveira moved from Brazil to the United States, she often heard the same piece of advice: “Right company, wrong place.” Innovation, people told her, belonged to the coasts. But after years of working with founders and mentoring startups across the country, she began to see a different truth.   “There’s incredible innovation happening here,” […]

State Invests in HudsonAlpha to Drive Agtech and Forestry Innovation

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded more than $2 million to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology to support three initiatives that apply biotechnology to strengthen the state’s agriculture and forestry sectors. The funding, provided through the Alabama Research and Development Advancement Fund, was part of a broader round of grants that also included awards to Auburn […]

8 Huntsville companies among latest recipients of Innovate Alabama grants

Innovate Alabama has awarded $2.2 million in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) supplemental grants to 13 companies across the state, including eight based in Huntsville. The funding is intended to advance research, product development and job creation in sectors such as biotechnology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, materials science and software.  […]

How the 2025 Federal Shutdown Could Impact Huntsville and What Locals Can Do About It

On October 1, 2025, the United States entered a partial government shutdown after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown resulted from partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. The shutdown led to the furlough of approximately 750,000 federal employees. Essential services such […]

Big Tops, BBQ, and Holiday Cheer: What’s Happening at MidCity This Fall

MidCity District has announced its lineup of fall activities. The schedule includes the following events: Oktoberfest at The Camp 5909 University Drive NW Celebrate Oktoberfest at The Camp with beer and food specials running all day on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4. Live music will also be available with Carver Commodore featuring Local […]

From the Moon to Mars: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Seeks Small Business Partners for Future Missions

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) held its 40th Small Business Alliance Meeting last week on September 25 at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.  This half-day event, which typically occurs twice a year, gave small businesses access to NASA leaders, as well as industry contacts from various companies and partners that interface with the […]