The Journey - May 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.
Congressman Higgins Announces $750,000 to Help WNY Small Businesses Establish & Expand E-Commerce
Congressman Higgins Announces $750,000 to Help WNY Small Businesses Establish & Expand E-Commerce
Program Led by the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State Provides Companies the Tools to Sell Products & Services Online
During Small Business Week, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced $750,000 in federal funding to help Western New York start-ups and existing small businesses develop a website and facilitate opportunities to grow online sales. The funding, secured by Congressman Higgins in the 2022 budget, is directed to the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State, which is leading the e-commerce program.
Congressman Higgins said, “Today’s interconnected world offers small business owners the opportunity to reach a worldwide customer base. And while very good at what they do, many of these owners don’t have the expertise or resources to develop a well-designed, secure, and effective website. This program, led by the expert team at the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State, opens doors of opportunity for local entrepreneurs and supports the growth of Western New York small business.”
“With Congressman Higgins' allocation we have been doing essential and game-changing work for our small business owners,” said Dr. Susan A. McCartney, Director of the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State. “Today, a website is a requirement of doing business.?Because of this program, many of our minority-owned businesses are far more competitive. The website makes the difference.”
E-commerce surged throughout the pandemic and continues to be a growing choice for many consumers. From retail to restaurants, many local small businesses scrambled during COVID to enhance their online presence and stay profitable.
With the resources secured by Congressman Higgins, the SBDC at SUNY Buffalo State has set up a free program to help minority and women-owned businesses in Western New York develop and improve their online business platform. Owners complete a detailed survey about their business, brand identity, desired website features, and company goals before working with experienced website developers to improve or create a website. Over two dozen local entrepreneurs have already benefited from the program.
Monica Miles and Kate Haq, Co-Founders of Mother Earth Literacies, said, “Our new and improved website has professionalized our business in a few short weeks! Not only are we able to connect with potential nonprofit partners in a seamless and efficient way, but Daniel put all of our curriculum units for sale on our new site so we are able to connect with educators across our region and get our anti-racist and locally based curriculum into the hands of teachers for their students. Our site is gorgeous, and we have already gotten compliments on its ease of use.”
Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, Founder & CEO of Madison’s Fabulous Creations, added, “I had no idea that constructing a website of this capacity would require so many steps and time. It is not as easy as it might appear. I have not had an official e-commerce site to this extent. Having this online presence is only the beginning of the growth of my brand. I am very optimistic and looking forward to seeing the results of our hard work!”
“Websites help to establish trust with consumers, selling of products, and cultivate brand building, in addition to providing customer convenience. This grant was paramount in the launch of Creations by Lena. As an entrepreneur, this grant has saved me thousands of dollars and countless hours in website development through the expertise of Kristen,” said Creations by Lena owner Jessica Frederick. “I must also thank Congressman Brian Higgins for his generosity in supporting small business owners like myself, through this grant. The SBDC has provided me with the tools to become a successful business owner and carry on the legacy of my late mother Lena by continuing to create.”
In 2021, Congressman Higgins also worked with SBDC Buffalo to host a virtual free workshop to help Western New York small businesses be best prepared to take advantage of government contracts and funding opportunities.
The Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State provides management and technical assistance to businesses in the Erie-Niagara region.?For more information on the E-Commerce programs and other assistance the center provides, call 716-878-4030, email [email protected] or visit www.sbdc.buffalostate.edu.?
Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and the SBDC Sponsor Workshop on Financing Your Business
On Saturday April 22nd?the Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly, Crystal Peoples-Stokes, sponsored a finance workshop, The ABC’s of Financing, in cooperation with, Buffalo State University Small Business Development Center, (SBDC.)?The program included the Hon. Crystal Peoples-Stokes, SBDC Director Dr. Susan McCartney and Ms. Marilyn Roach, SBDC Senior Advisor.?The program took place at Northland Workforce Training Center at 683 Northland Avenue in the City of Buffalo.?The Majority Leader urged the entrepreneurs to prepare a business plan before seeking financing.?McCartney and Roach provided information on planning, cash flow, financial statements, the impact your credit score has on securing financing, debt vs equity financing, and an overview of the local lending institutions – both traditional and micro lenders.?Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes enthusiastically supports small business.?She and her legislative office support ongoing training for small business owners.??
Buffalo State University Students Compete in Round Two of the NY Business Plan Competition in Syracuse, NY
The Bengal Entrepreneurship Program sent two students to the second round of the statewide NY Business Plan Competition. Tiara Gilman and Madison Bryant-Wagstaff competed in the Work, Learn, & Play, and the Product & Hardware tracks respectively. This is the first time since 2020 that students have advanced to the in-person rounds! Chad Williams was a judge for the competition. The students were accompanied by business advisor, Olivia Harbol.
Madison Bryant-Wagstaff won the Community Founder Award for the Work, Learn, & Play track, which includes a $1,000 check.
For more information about these two amazing student entrepreneurs, check out their Instagrams:
Tiara Gilman, TiaraLikeTheCrown LLC, @tiaralikethecrown_llc
Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, MFC, @madisonsfabcreations
SBA Young Entrepreneur Award
Each year during National Small Business Week, the Small Business Administration honors various small business owners for their success.?The Buffalo State SBDC nominated Ms. Robin Lazzara for the SBA’s Young Entrepreneur Award.?The center was delighted when Ms. Lazzara was chosen as this year’s recipient. Ms. Lazzara is the owner of Glow Video, LLC.?Ms. Lazzara worked with business advisor Ms. Olivia Harbol and the center’s director, Dr. Susan McCartney.??Dr. McCartney said “Robin is an excellent entrepreneur – with lots of drive, enthusiasm, and creativity.?Her business will grow and thrive.”?The focus of Robin’s business is video staging, recording, and editing.?Buffalo State is also very proud of Robin, having completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Film Arts at Buffalo State, in 2018.
Madeline Hall
Madeline Hall, a Buffalo Native, is the founder of BFS Brand. She is also a food blogger, curator of clothing, travel enthusiast, small business advocate, influencer and a creative marketing machine.
As a food blogger with a clothing line, she reinvests a portion of her proceeds into Buffalo's local restaurants and essential workers by donating funds, partnering with restaurants to cater food to hospitals, and using her social media platform to shine a light on them. She spread her love and appreciation for essential workers at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center fed over 600 healthcare workers after the Damar Hamlin collapse on January 2, 2023, and was recognized for her efforts on the Today Show and local and cable news during the weeks that followed.
Madeline has expanded BFS Brand by using her Instagram Personality as an advocate for other businesses.?She values community and collaboration over competition, especially in a smaller, tight-knit community like Buffalo and is cultivating a network that is backed by like-minded, hardworking individuals who want to build a better platform for their businesses.
Madeline has worked with Marilyn Roach at the SBDC for several years – preparing a written business plan, financial projections, and marketing strategy.
For more information visit: https://www.bfsbrand.com
Kellyann Scarlett
领英推荐
SUNY Buffalo State alumna Kellyann Scarlett has successfully found her niche in boutique event planning. Serving over 400 events in its fourteen years, Kellyann's firm, The Scarlett Agency, has hosted every type of party, from business conferences and elaborate weddings to first birthdays and anniversaries across Western New York.
Due to the success of her agency, Scarlett was able to launch a sister company, Little Sipper,?LLC, her very own mobile bar cart. Once used by Italians in the 1940s to transport goods, this vintage Piaggio Ape has been fashioned with three taps, a nitro tap, and humidor. In starting this new business, Kellyann worked with Andrea Lizak at the SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center.
"Working with the SBDC and specifically Andrea Lizak has been crucial in starting up both of my businesses," Kellyann said. "Fourteen years ago, when I initially started the event planning business, she assisted me in the process in a seamless and stress-free way. In starting my second business, Little Sipper, LLC, I consulted Andrea, and the reconnection was familiar and supportive once again."
Kellyann looks forward to continuing her work as a boutique event planner and is excited to offer her tap truck as an extension of her services. The support she's received from Buffalo State and the surrounding community has been instrumental in her success for both businesses, and she looks forward to continuing to improve her services to best meet her clients' needs. Mention this newsletter for 10% off your booking of the Little Sipper!
For more information visit: https://www.scarlettagency.com or https://www.littlesipperbuffalo.com
Willard One Love Productions
This is Mr. Willard Anderson, Owner of Willard One Love Productions: Color-Me-American? Collection, located in Buffalo New York. Mr. Anderson was a participant in the Ultimate Marketing and Contract Readiness Program (Cohort 9) held by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Buffalo State University. Mr. Anderson’s business is primarily engaged in Other Direct Selling (e.g., via direct sale to the customer by means, such as in-house sales (i.e., party plan merchandising), truck or wagon sales, and portable stalls (i.e., street vendors)). They have been in business for approximately 7 months.
Willard’s Story
“We live in the greatest country because we live within the realm of freedom of speech, where?you can openly express your views without the fear of being judged or facing consequences, and freedom of choice - where we have freedom of choice. We can choose to be who we want to be, and we stand together. Despite all the problems we face, we are ready to stand by each other in dire times and love one another unconditionally”.
Willard Anderson (2023)
With this philosophy in place, Community Awareness of what it is to be an American through the introduction of tee shirts?and sweatshirts with messaging from our Color-Me-American? collection helps to bring together the concept: free to speak, free to choose, and free to stand together.
What makes the company so different is that it is working to bring together in Phase 1 some 3.6+ million people (Americans), under one banner of the pride of being American. This will be accomplished through athletes of sport football, baseball, and baseball.
For more information, go to the website at
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. Demetrice Jones-Davis, Office Manager,