12 stories that bring our ecosystem to life

The term ecosystem is used a lot when we talk about Buffalo’s growing tech and entrepreneurship community.

In my experience, it’s an apt description. Like the ecosystems we learned about in middle-school science class, each part of this community of builders relies on another part in order to flourish.

Still, it’s easy to think “ecosystem” is just more jargon tossed around by people who take this stuff way too seriously. (OK, that one hits close to home.)

That’s why I love a just-released video series produced by the team at 43North . Buffalo Redefined brings the ecosystem to life, with 12 people sharing their unique stories of getting involved with innovation and entrepreneurship in Western New York. That includes several examples of how they’ve been supported – and, in turn, given right back.

After watching the series, three themes resonated with me. They’re relevant to the work we do at TechBuffalo, but I think they have broader applications.

1. Build on-ramps: We must both create opportunities and tirelessly work to introduce people to those opportunities, whether one-to-one or through institutions. Stewart Fonville III , owner of car detailer Mobile Eco Steam, LLC , talked about the introduction he had to business ownership early in his life, working with a cousin who was an entrepreneur. “That really kind of inspired me,” he said. On-ramps take many forms. Stephen Tucker, MBA and the team at Northland Workforce Training Center on the East Side have built a program that is the envy of the state. “Now diverse people can see themselves in those roles and see themselves raising their families here locally,” he said.

2. Recognize our assets: You hear it a lot, but that doesn’t make it any less true: Buffalo possesses assets that other cities would love to have. The more we recognize them – and talk them up to friends and family – the faster our reputation will match the reality. Vikas Mehta , chief operating officer of ACV Auctions , has lived all over the world. He had visited Buffalo prior to working here – visits to Niagara Falls and a Target run from nearby Toronto – but it was only when he had a proper tour that he saw Delaware Park and the AKG. Gems like those only enhance the attraction to working at a company like ACV. “The quality of life, with the opportunity combined, I think has been excellent for us,” he said.

3. Lend a hand: A little help goes a long way, especially when you’re headed down the challenging path of starting something new. Ryan Fernandez, owner of West Side BBQ joint Southern Junction , shared a story from a crucial moment in his business life. His restaurant was growing, and he needed a bigger smoker. The wait for new equipment would’ve been a year or more from sellers outside the area. Then, one of his local vendors offered to build him one. As if that wasn’t generous enough, the financial terms of the deal were simple: “Pay me when you can.” Alicia Officer , CEO and co-founder of Unapologetic Coffee , recalled how a local church helped support her business in its early days. “It was our first sign [that] opportunity and community is there if someone believes in you, even when you don’t,” she said. Chuck Lannon, a co-founder of Life Storage , encouraged those who have been successful to “share that success by investing in new ideas, new companies, new people.”

This is just a sampling of the personal stories shared by 12 impressive Western New Yorkers. After you watch, drop me a line to share your takeaways.

Congratulations to Colleen E. Heidinger and the 43North team on this series – and a great kickoff event at Other Half Brewing Company last week. Likewise, gratitude to the 43North Foundation for its support of Buffalo Redefined and its ongoing commitment to telling the story of what’s happening with entrepreneurship and innovation in Buffalo.

Nothing cuts through the jargon like real stories from our neighbors.

– Jeffrey Botteron

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