sbdc AT OCC North
SATELLITE LOCATION
sbdc AT OCC North
PLEASE NOTE: We are NOT accepting walk-ins at this time. We are currently offering clients the option to have appointments virtually, by phone, or in person BY APPOINTMENT ONLY (following OCC COVID-19 Safety Plan and Procedures and CDC Guidelines).
sbdc AT OCC North:
|
The Onondaga Small Business Development Center (SBDC) works with entrepreneurs and small business owners in Liverpool and the surrounding areas out of our satellite office at OCC North.
|
Center Advisor:
MARK PITONZO
NYSBDC Certified Business Advisor BIO
Education
Community Involvement
What is your background in business? I began my career at General Electric in Syracuse in cost accounting and then moved into international marketing. Over time, I went to work for National Grid in marketing, and then was recruited to help Agway Energy start a business. So, I helped them start and grow their national gas and electricity business. From there, I came to work for SBDC. What are your areas of expertise? Business development, financial analysis and program management. What drew you to work at SBDC? It was a perfect job that allowed me to combine helping people in the community while utilizing my business skills. What’s your best advice for someone thinking about starting their own small business? The more upfront planning you can do to build your business infrastructure, the smoother the ride is going to be. You’re going to have to navigate a variety of speed bumps. How you navigate them will dictate how well your business does. What do you enjoy about the work you do? It feels as though I’m helping the Central New York community create new businesses and expand upon existing businesses. But it also allows me to use my business experiences to help people navigate their individual journeys. People have been so appreciative when you help them get into business or expand their existing business. It’s very fulfilling professionally. What makes you unique? I try to approach my clients in a very practical way by putting things in terms that people understand and can utilize. This allows them to incorporate them into their business plans. Another thing that makes me unique is that I have a wide variety of business experiences in different industries that I’m able to translate for people who are trying to start or expand their business. What are your personal interests? I’m very involved in the Central New York community as I serve on several non-profit boards. I’m also very involved in sports as a coach and high school basketball referee. I also work at Syracuse University managing the scoreboard for football, basketball and lacrosse games. If you won the lottery tomorrow, what sort of business would you found? Along with staying with the SBDC, of course! I would start a small business like the Lyncourt bakery. I just love meeting and greeting people and talking with them on a small-scale daily basis while also filling a need. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? In the business world, be as “professionally direct” with people as you can be. Of course you want to make sure that you’re professional in the process. But it does reduce ambiguity and helps to improve effectiveness and efficiency within discussions. — Coworker at General Electric |
