Founded in July 2018, Social Apex Media is a multimedia marketing agency that helps companies cultivate and distribute a personal brand across the digital landscape. “Our specialty is translating and communicating business’ stories and qualities across the digital space,” said Chief Experience Officer (CXO) Sam Kulikov. “We want to convey a business’ personality and brand across any and all channels.” The Social Apex team features what Kulikov calls a “wide…

COMPANY // Porch Light Plans ENTREPRENEUR // Katie Hoke, Jared Hoke, Roy Ley WHAT THEY DO // Porch Light Plans offers sustainable, customizable house plans that bridge the gap between hiring an architect and using a builder’s home plan. INSPIRATION // “I’ve always felt like design should be for everyone,” Katie Hoke said. The three architects, who also run the firm Hoke Ley Architecture & Design in Lawrence, had a…

Company //  Zego Inc. Entrepreneur // Adam Blake, CEO What they do //  Zego is a “hub for smarter apartment living,” Blake said. Built by real estate experts and backed by artificial intelligence, Zego integrates smart-home devices with an app that connects residents with management, maintenance and a marketplace for local services. “Zego improves operational efficiencies and generates additional revenue for owners and managers, while improving apartment living for residents,”…

Company // Walston Door Co. Entrepreneur // Co-founders Caleb and Jessica Walston What they do //  The Walstons build and sell custom doors. “Many customers choose from our existing designs on display, some from Pinterest, and we’ve even had clients come in and sketch out their own unique design,” Caleb Walston said. Inspiration // Jessica Walston wanted a barn-style, sliding door for a basement closet. When Caleb couldn’t find any…

Company // Tea-Biotics Entrepreneur // Lisa Bledsoe, founder What They Do // Tea-Biotics describes itself as “handcrafted organic kombucha made locally.” The company produces and sells kombucha, or fermented tea, in flavors such as turmeric lime, hibiscus watermelon, blueberry and cherry lime. Its kombucha is gluten-free, organic, GMO-free and vegan. Its taproom has 24 flavors to sample. Customers may purchase 64-ounce growlers to bring kombucha home. Bottled kombucha is also…