The next season of the PBS series “Startup” will profile 13 D-FW small businesses

A diverse cast of 13 D-FW businesses will shine this fall in the latest season of the Emmy-nominated PBS documentary series “Startup.”

In its latest season, “Startup” profiles 13 small businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at these companies. This is the second time in the show’s 12 seasons that an entire season takes place in a single area.

Featured businesses range from Desert Creek Honey, a raw honey business based in Blue Ridge, to JC Scott, a custom tailoring and styling shop in the heart of West Dallas.

“This area is a unique blend of big-city resources and a strong sense of community, and it’s exactly the environment we wanted to highlight,” producer Jenny Feterovich said in a press release.

The 13 small businesses were selected through an extensive research and interview process that considered many factors, said host and executive producer Gary Bredeau. But he said having a diverse pool of small business owners and industry talent is a priority.

“We want our viewers to see themselves in these businesses,” Bredeau said. “We want to show representation and help people understand that they too can do it.”

Unoma Okorafor and her McKinney-based wellness brand Herbal Goodness is one such example. Ms. Okorafor, a Black woman, was born in Nigeria but moved to Texas to earn a master’s degree at Rice University and eventually settled in North Texas to build a business.

Bredeau also highlighted Ampersand, a Fort Worth coffeehouse that transforms into a bar and lounge at night. He praised the company’s young ownership, led by CEO Tuan Luong, and praised their energy in making the unconventional concept a success.

According to a press release, the show’s mission is to “demystify entrepreneurship by showcasing the grit, creativity, and resilience it takes to build a successful business from the ground up.”

The documentary series will air Saturdays at 6pm on KERA starting September 28th. The new season will consist of 13 episodes.

Other business details are as follows.

• Just Elope is a wedding service specializing in elopement and pop-up weddings.
• Magdalena’s Catering and Events is a family-owned Fort Worth catering company specializing in Mexican and American cuisine.
• Blade Craft Barber Academy is a barber school located in Deep Ellum that focuses on making a male-dominated field more inclusive. According to the website, it closed permanently in July.
• Veterans Moving America is a Fort Worth-based moving company founded to support veterans by providing them with post-retirement employment opportunities.
• Mansfield Funeral Home and Crematory is a woman-owned funeral home located in Mansfield, Texas.
• Simpleaf is a company that makes environmentally friendly flushable wipes.
• Revitalize Charging Solutions is a company that sells electric vehicle charging stations for residential and commercial use.
• The Blok Climbing Co. is a bouldering gym based in Fort Worth.
• Building With Integrity Contractors is a Dallas-based contractor, builder, and construction management company.

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