Welcome to Martha’s Vineyard at Work, my monthly photographic celebration of Islanders at their jobs. For this first essay, I popped into businesses on Circuit Avenue to meet and photograph people who work there. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed shooting it.
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“Not necessarily.” Lori Katsounakis on whether she likes being the boss. She’s been running Third World Trading Co. year-round for the past 30 years. — Jeremy Driesen

“I love it. The atmosphere in here is great. You’re surrounded by colors. The time flies.” Carol Burke, originally from Ireland, works at Third World Trading Co. — Jeremy Driesen

“It’s about me rewriting my relationship with fear ... fear can either be a headwind or a tailwind.” Sarah Omer, owner of Tangerine, on starting a new business during the pandemic. — Jeremy Driesen

“I have no boss. I have no schedule. I have no day off.” Choying Rangdolon on being the owner of Glimpse of Tibet for the past 21 years. — Jeremy Driesen

“We get to play all the games.” Jake Gifford’s favorite thing about owning The Lazy Frog for the past 15 years. — Jeremy Driesen

“I’ve been doing this all my life. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be here.” Peter Campbell manages Ryan Family Amusements. He hopes to become an owner. — Jeremy Driesen

“A woman once called looking for a vintage bag with the number 74 on it, because ‘that was the year my husband was born, and he recently passed away.’ We just happened to have that bag in stock. That was my biggest highlight working here.” Demeterius Inostroza works at Sea Bags, a company that recycles old sails and turns them into bags. — Jeremy Driesen

“We’re a summertime economy, and that can be a little stressful, like any other job.” Xavier Powers works at Mocha Mott’s. — Jeremy Driesen

“It’s the happiest basement in the world.” Hallie MacCormick on working at Mocha Mott’s. — Jeremy Driesen

“Ben and Bill are people that do exist.” Dona Kruszewski, an owner of Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium. She started at the Falmouth store in 1998. — Jeremy Driesen

“I make all the ice cream here.” Kenton Hunter, originally from Jamaica, works at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium. — Jeremy Driesen