The Journey - June 2023
Buffalo State Small Business Development Center
The SBDC at SUNY Buffalo State provides management and technical assistance to start-up and existing small businesses.
Buffalo State SBDC Is Recognized for Most Business Starts for 2022
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Buffalo State University Small Business Development was recognized for the most ‘business starts’ at the Statewide Small Business Development Center annual conference this past May.??Of the 22 regional SBDC centers in New York State, this award recognizes the Buffalo teams immense efforts at assisting entrepreneurs to open the most new enterprises in 2022.?The Buffalo State SBDC team is extraordinary in its tireless efforts to help hundreds of entrepreneurs to launch and thrive.?The economic impact is significant.?It is also indicative of an impressive entrepreneurial culture that is sweeping Buffalo and Western New York.
Government Contract Assistance is available from PTAC/APEX
On June 12th?MWBE Advisor Bailey Brouliard and SBDC Director Susan McCartney met with the leadership of the Cattaraugus Procurement and Technical Assistance Center (PTAC – and now renamed APEX). In the above picture, Bailey is on the left, and next to her is the procurement Business Advisor, Ms. Christine Urf. On the far right is the center’s Program Manager, Ms. Lenora Leasure.?The PTAC is based in the Cattaraugus Town Hall in Little Valley, NY.?Its service area includes several counties, including Erie and Niagara Counties.?The center’s primary focus is on assisting business owners to secure Federal contracts, and in particular contract with the Department of Defense.?The Buffalo State SBDC is available to assist business owners to secure services from the procurement center.??
JPMorgan Chase Invests in SBDC Marketing!
JPMorgan Chase has provided the Buffalo State SBDC with assistance to advance the center’s marketing of its services.?They have helped the center to professionalize several of its print materials including its flyers for Entrepreneurship 101, KidBiz, Entrepreneurship in the Arts, Contract Readiness, and the MWBE Contractor Training Program.?They also funded the center’s new KidBiz banner that will be displayed at the coming KidBiz market at Bidwell Parkway. Recently, Chase leadership stated:
“JPMorgan Chase is proud to support SBDC as small businesses and entrepreneurs generate jobs, create diverse companies and are vital to prosperous cities.” – Robert Mcardle, Managing Director & Market Executive, Upstate Middle Market.
Weather Medic Inc.
Weather Medic Inc. provides detailed meteorological information designed to help you save time and money by allowing you to plan your business/activities without having to worry about the weather.
This business offers weather consulting, including forensic weather recreations for lawyers deriving from weather conditions; verifying insurance claims related to weather; point forecasting for outdoor events, such as sports events, concerts, festivals and other venues; agricultural interests; transportation and travel outlooks.
As a high functioning autistic man and alumnus of SUNY Buffalo State University that graduated cum laude, I really have only one marketable skill or ability and that is in the field of Meteorology.?Because of my social disabilities due to my autism, a home-based business without the necessity of constant social contact seemed the best way to pursue my passion for weather and the number one issue that everyone should be alarmed about, climate change.
I post daily Buffalo, NY weather forecasts on Patreon, and the occasional video on YouTube, where I post informative videos that deal with both weather predictions and educational content concerning weather phenomena, the environment and climate change.?I can also be found on Facebook and Linked-In.
The first thing that I noticed about the SUNY Buffalo State University Small Business Development Center is that they treated me like a "normal" person.?They respected my abilities, and they gave me hope that I could achieve a measure of success in my field. I have been working with Business Advisor Olivia Harbol for almost one year.
I have the weather knowledge, but Olivia is giving me the business and social direction I need to advance and grow Weather Medic.
I appreciate the ongoing guidance and encouragement that I have received, along with the valuable insights which have already paid dividends.?I would highly recommend the SUNY Buffalo State University Small Business Development Center to any small business without hesitation.
Sweet to the Belly Ice Cream
Meet Arlene Abrahams, owner and Operator of Sweet to the Belly Ice Cream. Arlene is from Jamaica and has lived in Buffalo since 2016. She is the mother of six.
With entrepreneurial determination and guidance from Business Advisor Joe Clark, Arlene navigated the challenges of a start-up business. Self-financing her enterprise, Arlene developed an eclectic menu of Jamaican ice cream and noshes. Her flair for decorating is on display in her tropical café located at 1228 Walden Avenue, Cheektowaga.
Arlene’s brand is being expanded with the aid of Congressman Brian Higgins E-commerce & Website Initiative. Under this program, Arlene is obtaining website development and establishing her presence in ways she could not have imagined just a short while ago.
Joe Clark recalls: “At our initial consultation, Arlene told me she was going to be successful. We overcame initial challenges and Arlene was determined to achieve what she set out to do." The community has embraced her café. Arlene invites you to stop in and enjoy one of her creative menu items, Jamaican style ice cream or traditional frozen treats. As Arlene likes to say, “If it’s not sweet, it’s not us”!?
The Notary Firm
This is Mrs. Monica Colston, Owner of The Notary Firm located in Buffalo New York. Mrs. Colston was a participant in the Ultimate Marketing and Contract Readiness Program (Cohort 7) held by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Buffalo State University. Mrs. Colston’s business is primarily engaged in providing specialized legal services. Additionally, they have been in business for approximately 20 years and are a member of the National Notary Association (NNA).
Monica’s Story
I started my business after losing my job as an engineer in 2020, the day that the worldwide pandemic shut everything down. The company I worked for packed up and moved back to New Hampshire. I, like all my co-workers, was unemployed and thought “What Now”? My husband suggested using my notary to generate revenue, which I also operated since 2004. After doing research, we discovered what a Notary Signing Agent (NFA) was and proceeded forward establishing The Notary Firm.
The Notary Firm is a concierge 24/7 mobile notary signing agent servicing Erie and Niagara Counties. Typical clients of an NSA are real estate attorneys/lawyers, signing service companies, title companies, realtors, and banks. What makes us special is that we operate as a 24/7 concierge (mobile) notary service – “Your Notary Concierge… What you need when you need it!”
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The services provided are as follows: (1) General Notary Work (GNW) A notary public is a state appointed impartial person who is used to legally deter fraud on the signing of important documents.?The person must be physically present. (2) Notary Signing Agent (NSA) A Notary Signing Agent is also a notary but has taken additional certifications?allowing them to handle real estate closings and transactions. (3) Remote Online Notary (RON) A Remote Online Notary, like a general notary public, must be physically present remotely using visual and audio technology over the internet to notarize documents.
For more information, contact Monica Colston at [email protected]
Donald Williams
Donald Williams is a junior at SUNY Buffalo State University, studying Economics with a concentration in Finance. Donald started working at the Small Business Development Center as a Research Assistant in September of 2022. Donald registers clients for the Ultimate Marketing and Contract Readiness Program. He oversees sending out reminders for each class. He also works directly with the director of Buffalo Purchasing Initiative, Mauricio Canton Diaz, helping him coordinate events and assisting with meetings.
Donald serves as the current president of the Buffalo State Rowing Club, where he is making executive decisions such as scheduling practice dates, coordinating travel plans for away regattas, chairing all general membership meetings, delegating tasks to the rest of the executive board and ensuring the team stays motivated. Prior to assuming the role of President, Donald served as the Treasurer of the Buffalo State Rowing Club. As treasurer, Donald created a budget for the 2023 – 2024 academic school year, ensuring the smooth financial operations of the club.
Donald’s unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership skills, and commitment to excellence make him a true asset to the Small Business Development Center, Buffalo State University, and the sport of rowing.?
If you need assistance, please feel free to either call the SBDC office (716) 878-4030 or send one of our team members an email.
Dr. Susan A. McCartney, Director
Ms. Andrea Lizak, Associate Director and Business Advisor
Ms. Marilyn Roach, Senior Business Advisor and Financial Specialist
Mr. Michael McCarley, Business Advisor
Ms. Olivia Harbol, Business Advisor
Mr. Joseph Clark, Business Advisor
Ms. Bailey Brouillard, Business Advisor & MWBE Specialist
Ms. Demetrice Jones-Davis, Office Manager
The Buffalo State University Small Business Development Center provides expert one-to-one counseling, training, and instructional programs to help small businesses succeed. Any small business, firm, or individual having or considering starting a small business may request assistance. There are no charges for direct counseling by the SBDC under this program. Please contact the Center at (716) 878-4030 to set up an appointment
Websites for Small Businesses, Solopreneurs, and Nonprofits
1 年I never miss it. Awesome to see Monica Colston featured!