 The US Small Business Administration has celebrated America’s small businesses through this celebration for more than 50 years. In conjunction with that, the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College is taking the time to recognize outstanding small businesses from each of the six counties served by the agency. Each business has at some time leveraged the no-cost assistance provided by the team of business advisors to start or grow their small businesses. These businesses will be recognized with a presentation at their location, as their county’s “Small Business of the Year” as recognized by the advisors of the Onondaga SBDC. As a result of the many great businesses to celebrate in our region, the team also selected a “Small Agricultural Business of the Year”. In addition, the Regional Director has selected a “Lender Partner of the Year”, recognizing the tremendous contributions made by that lender to assisting small businesses throughout the Central New York territory. SBDC at Onondaga Community College Small Business Week Award winners include: Cortland County Small Business of the Year: Seven Valley Specialty Cables  L/R: Sherwin Nepomucena, President, Seven Valley Specialty Cables LLC - Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Paul Brooks, Certified Small Business Advisor Cortland County Small Business of the Year: Seven Valley Specialty Cables owned by Sherwin Nepomucena, located in Cortland, NY. Cortland Companies existed in Cortland since 1981. Acquired by Actuant (part of Enerpac Tool Group) in 2008 the company continued to make custom-engineered electro-mechanical cables and umbilicals, high performance synthetic ropes and value-added steel cable and assemblies until the parent company announced a closing of the Cortland plant and eventually closed in 2020. The plant had employed over 40 people among them was engineer Sherwin Nepomucena. Sherwin set about doing something to save some of those jobs. He assembled financing to purchase some of the remaining machinery from the closed plant and purchase additional equipment. He utilized his contacts from years at Cortland Companies to begin to line up business. He focused on experienced engineering talent, quality and reliability to service the specialty cable market. They moved the operation into the former Smith Corona facility on Route 13 in Cortland and in 2020 registered the company as an LLC in the State of New York. Today they are producing cable for commercial, industrial and government customers. SBDC assisted this client development of financial projections and underlying assumptions. Also arranged a meeting with a turn-around expert who provided great insight to the acquisition situation. Assisted client to produce business plan for bank financing. Cayuga County Small Business of the Year: Paws 'n Purrs Pet Care  L/R: Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Bonnie Ford, Owner, Paws ‘n Purrs - Nancy Ansteth, Certified Small Business Advisor Cayuga County Small Business of the Year: Paws 'n Purrs Pet Care, owned by Bonnie Ford located in Auburn, NY. Bonnie Ford has had an incredible journey with Paws n' Purrs. The process of acquiring the business and property required jumping over several hurdles. From non-cooperative sellers to delayed financing, Bonnie had to seriously question what she was getting into early on. Persistence and resourcefulness kept her eyes on the goal. Today, she finds herself turning away customers due to space and time constrictions. Bonnie sets a standard for entrepreneurs that is truly inspirational, she has pursued her passion and continues to do so. Agricultural Small Business of the Year: Galvin Farms Gourmet Mushroom Company  L/R: Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Jack Galvin Owner, Galvin Farm - Frank Cetera, Advanced Certified Business Advisor Agricultural Small Business of the Year: Galvin Farms Gourmet Mushroom Company, owned by Jack & Patricia Galvin, located in Phoenix, NY. Galvin Farm and Gourmet Mushroom LLC located in Lysander, NY is owned operated by Patricia and Jack Galvin since 1995. They produce a variety of fresh Oyster mushrooms and Grow Max Natural CO2 Bags for indoor gardens and farms. Onondaga SBDC, and Senior Business Advisor Frank Cetera, worked with Galvin’s to help them navigate the COVID pandemic resources available to them. This included reviewing EIDL guidelines and communicating with client about potential restructuring of language on the EIDL as a result of the PPP law; as well as responding to client’s questions regarding calculation of FTEs for PPP, and status of co-owner “owners draw” pay in calculation. The resulting awards of a PPP loan through Pursuit of $29,000 and a $96,300 SBA EIDL loan provided the capital Galvin’s needed to continue operations and save 7 jobs at the time. Seneca County Small Business of the Year: Waterloo Chiropractic, PLLC  L/R: Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Frank Joseph Catalano Jr Owner, Waterloo Chiropractic, PLLC Seneca County Small Business of the Year: Waterloo Chiropractic, PLLC owned by Frank Joseph Catalano Jr, located in Waterloo, NY. Waterloo Chiropractic PLLC is a locally owned and operated Chiropractic office that provides exceptional Chiropractic care in the Historic Village of Waterloo, NY. Dr. Frank Catalano, Chiropractor and owner, is committed to ensuring that any person seeking care is given the attention they need to help them identify and overcome their musculoskeletal issues. Dr. Catalano welcomes new patients to the office to experience Chiropractic care at Wateroo Chiropractic PLLC which aims to restore body mechanics, increase functionality and to decrease pain. Onondaga County Small Business of the Year: Luminary Electrical Contractor, LLC  L/R: Shawni Davis Owner, Luminary Electrical Contractor, LLC - Frank Cetera, Advanced Certified Business Advisor Onondaga County Small Business of the Year: Luminary Electrical Contractor, LLC owned by Shawni Davis, located in Syracuse, NY. There will always be firsts as long as there is change, and Shawni Davis of LuminaryElectrical Contractor, LLC is proving that by being the first black woman LGBT-ownedMWBE Certified Master Licensed electrical contractor in Syracuse, NY. Luminary performs both commercial and industrial electrical work and brings 15 years of electrical experience to the field.Luminary’s mission, per the website at luminarysyr.com, explains how the concept ofinspiration behind the word Luminary relates to“creating a company that highlights the abilities and skill-sets of people from diverse communities in this industry. We are here to bea beacon of inspiration to others, that we can succeed and excel in spaces that we are not typically represented.” Read More on our Blog: https://www.onondagasbdc.org/blog/luminary-electrical-contractor-llc Madison County Small Business of the Year: 20/East  L/R: Bob Griffin, Regional Director - McKenzie Hughes Houseman Owner, 20/East - Paul Brooks, Certified Small Business Advisor Madison County Small Business of the Year: 20/East owned by McKenzie Hughes Houseman, located in Cazenovia, NY. McKenzie Houseman began the business in 2014 in warehouse on Route 20 East in Cazenovia owned by her father. Originally intending to sell wood products produced by her late brother (Cazenovia Cut Block). In addition, they started carrying other items produced by artisans and craftsmen locally. Eventually they began to branch out in their offering becoming something of an indoor farmers’ market with additional space for gift items. In 2017 a space on Albany Street in the village of Cazenovia that offered a perfect site for what had become a growing business. Since moving to that location, she has added a wide variety of offerings to the store. Those items include Cazenovia Cut Block wood items, gift selections, art works, all kinds of artisan products, fresh flowers and numerous food items from all over Central New York. 20 East has become the go-to place in Cazenovia for almost anything you are seeking for a hostess gift or for a special dinner with friends. SBDC assisted this client with business plan creation as well as identifying and qualifying for lenders. Oswego County Small Business of the Year: Great Bear Childcare, LLC  L/R: Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Amy L. Boyzuck, owner of Great Bear Childcare - John Halloran, Certified Small Business Advisor Oswego County Small Business of the Year: Great Bear Childcare, LLC owned by Amy Boyzuck, located in Phoenix, NY. Started in 2014 Great Bear Child Care has emphasized the importance of connecting with children and their families; giving children a place where they feel loved and safe. Since the creation of Great Bear Childcare LLC as a family daycare in 2015, to the jump to a group family daycare in 2016, Amy dreamed of opening a childcare center that serves her local community. From the beginning Amy has striven to be a positive role model for each child that she care for, and to encourage their potential each and every day with persistence and the support of family her dream of expansion became reality. After meticulous planning and working with John Halleron at the Oswego Outreach, Amy and John prepared a solid business plan and projections grounded in research and experience. As a result of their efforts, cash and collateral equity, Amy was able to obtain funding through Pathfinder Bank, an SBA 504(b) loan and a loan from Operation Oswego County. This allowed for the purchase and renovation of her new facility in Phoenix, NY. Funding also retained two jobs and created three additional jobs. “John helped in numerous ways during the financing process. He worked with me on both the business plan and projections so that I could present a 5 year financial outlook to Pathfinder Bank. During our time working together, John was always available for questions and advice which made the financing process less daunting. I am so thankful that my job allows me to care for children and their families, and from my family to yours, thank you for allowing us to live a dream." Lender Partner of the Year: M&T Bank  Photo Credit: Brenda Jaynes L/R: Lee DeAmicis, Administrative Vice-President - Stephen Gorczynski, Central New York Regional President - Bob Griffin, Regional Director - Mark Pitonzo, Certified Small Business Advisor M&T Bank is here to help budding entrepreneurs build their knowledge of what to expect when starting a business from the ground up. Their playlists are designed to help boost your confidence in understanding aspects of running a successful business as well as offer important advice to help you prepare for the future, no matter where you are in your journey. About Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College: The Small Business Development Center offers no-cost, confidential business advisement services to individuals and companies throughout a six-county region including Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego and Seneca counties. The advisor team has nearly 200 years of collective business and business advisement experience. They provide customized solutions through advisement, education, research and advocacy for Entrepreneurs, Innovators and the Small & Medium Enterprise community. Over the past 3 years (2019 – 2021), the SBDC at OCC has:
National Small Business Week 2022 in the Media:
6 Comments
11/18/2022 04:52:02
During our time working together, John was always available for questions and advice which made the financing process less daunting. Thank you, amazing post! 2/5/2023 10:53:08
One of the most important bits of information, in my opinion, is this. I enjoyed reading your essay, too. I liked how you explained. 10/22/2023 20:40:30
I'm thrilled to read about the recognition of Paws 'n Purrs Pet Care as Cayuga County Small Business of the Year. Bonnie Ford's journey is a true inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her determination and resourcefulness in overcoming hurdles and pursuing her passion in the pet care industry is commendable. It's also heartwarming to know that her business is thriving, and she's now facing the challenge of managing overwhelming demand. This is a testament to the quality of service she provides and the trust she has built within her community. Small businesses like Paws 'n Purrs contribute not only to the local economy but also to the happiness of pet owners and their furry friends. 2/12/2024 14:52:35
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Learn about SBA 7a Options along with all the calculations. For Small Businesses Leave a Reply. |
Empowering Entrepreneurship, Inspiring Success in Central New York.
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Phone: 315-498-6070
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Onondaga Small Business Development Center. Partnership Program with the SBA, administered by the State University of New York. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
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