The Journey - November '23

The Small Business Development Center Hosts Bengal Entrepreneurship Competition Inaugural Event: A Showcase of Student Innovation

On November 14th, the inaugural Bengal Entrepreneurship Competition took center stage, illuminating the entrepreneurial prowess of eight talented students. This riveting event, held at Jacqueline Vito LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center at Buffalo State University, had over 30 people in attendance.

Over the last two months, as part of the Bengal Entrepreneurship Program, Business Advisor Olivia Harbol and BEP Assistant Sharon Chee have been actively engaged in guiding and supporting students through weekly meetings. Their dedicated efforts have played a pivotal role in preparing students to present compelling pitches for a diverse array of businesses, from a professional women's soccer team to clothing companies.

The competition culminated in the announcement of winners who not only exhibited outstanding entrepreneurial skills but also secured attractive cash prizes:

First Place: $1,000 -?Tiara Gilman, TiaraLikeTheCrown LLC

Second Place: $750 – Jonah Christakis, 716 Corporate Housing LLC

Third Place: $500 – Hannah Esslie, Hudson Valley Crusaders

Fourth Place: $250 – Molly Galvin, Molly Margaret

Fifth Place: $250 - Autumn Moody, iammoody

Sixth Place: $250 – Kerri Perry, Untold Stories Production

In total, $3000 was awarded, all thanks to Bank of America!

We would like to thank the judges who volunteered their time and expertise – Kenneth Mersimovski of Bank of America, Kristen Johnson of Kristen Johnson LLC, and Mercedes Wilson of Sadie’s Foods.

The Bengal Entrepreneurship Program will continue in the Spring semester in preparation for the New York Business Plan Competition.?

The Small Business Development Center Presented at the 22nd Annual Faculty and Staff Research and Creativity Fall Forum - Thursday, November 2nd in the Buffalo State Houston Gym

Annually, Buffalo State celebrates outstanding funded research projects that include high impact results. The SBDC showcased two such projects at this year’s campus-wide celebration.??The first project, Minority and Women Entrepreneurs Procurement Initiatives, supported by the Wilson Foundation and described the impact upon 11 cohorts of entrepreneurs who participated in an intensive program that focused on preparing?the entrepreneur to do business with anchor institutions.?Data was collected at every step in the process.?Additionally, the funding was secured for a specific initiative to help minority and women business owners to secure Erie County, City of Buffalo, and New York State MWBE certification.?The research team included Dr. Susan McCartney, SBDC Director, Ms. Bailey Brouillard, MWBE Business Advisor, Ms. Karina Loera, Contract Readiness Coordinator, Mr. Joseph Clark, SBDC Advisor, and Donald Williams, Research Assistant.

The SBDC also presented a research funded project, Empowering Students and Cultivating Entrepreneurial Excellence: The Bengal Entrepreneurship Program (BEP).?The initiative is partially funded by Bank of America.?This program is available to all Buffalo State students, undergraduate and graduate students.?It includes extensive small business training.?Included in the grant?are funds to conduct a business plan competition.?All student participants are encouraged to participate in the Buffalo State Business Plan Competition in the fall and the New York Business Plan Competition in the Spring.?This research team includes Ms. Olivia Harbol, Certified Business Advisor and BEP Coordinator, and Ms. Sharon Chee, Research Assistant.??

In Honor of Veterans Day, Buffalo State SBDC, Provided Training at the Navy Operational Support Center within the City of Buffalo: Boots to Business

At the invitation of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), the SBDC participated in the?Boots to Business program at the Navy Operational Support Center, 3 Porter Avenue, along the Buffalo River, on Friday, November 3rd .?The program provided an overview of entrepreneurship.?Over 40 military personnel participated in the day long training, coordinated by Mr. Greg Lindberg of the Western Region SBA.?Dr. Susan McCartney presented, along with several other small business experts.?Her topic was business planning.?She launched with key traits of entrepreneurs – which include resilience, discipline, and leadership. This resonated with many of the participants.?She further outlined essential components of the planning process, including setting time-sensitive goals, competition analysis, human resource management, and financing.?She further added that the first written strategic planning book is credited to Sun Tzu, the author of the Art of War?(published approximately 500 BC) - a fitting alignment with this particular group of future entrepreneurs.

Ba Transport Services Incorporated (BTS)

This month, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) wants to congratulate Raby Ba on receiving Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification for his business Ba Transport Services Incorporated (BTS)!

Raby has worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) throughout his business venture, working closely with business advisor Marilyn Roach.

BTS is a small trucking corporation based in Buffalo, NY. It was established in 2022 by a young entrepreneur from Senegal, West Africa. Raby migrated to the United States in 2006 as a pre-teen. Raby currently serves as a board member at West Side Community Services, a community organization he used to attend as a teen.

BTS is committed to making a difference in Buffalo, NY. Its mission is providing delivery and transportation services in Western New York, and surrounding areas, with a goal of impacting lives and creating opportunities for all people. BTS also focuses on empowerment, mentorship, and youth development in underserved communities in Buffalo, NY.?

This past year, Raby became interested in applying for Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. Since this application is known for its intensive and overwhelming process, Raby reached out to the SBDC for assistance. Raby has worked closely with MWBE specialist Bailey Brouillard on the Erie County and City of Buffalo joint certification.

Raby submitted his application and had his interview on October 18th, 2023. After a few days, Raby heard back from the committee that his application was accepted and that he is now a Certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise! Our office is so excited and proud for Raby taking this step in his business journey, and we are ready to continue to assist him in seeking New York State MBE Certification!

For more information about Raby Ba and his business Ba Transport Services Incorporated (BTS), can be reached via email at(716) 745-6162and or [email protected].

Phthalo Blue Art Studio

This is Annamaria Todaro's story: I first heard about the Small Business Development Center from a very friendly clerk at the Erie County Clerk’s office in downtown Buffalo. I was there to open my first small business/sole proprietorship called Phthalo Blue Art Studio, a pop-up art studio experience where I cater lesson plans to educate adults in modern and contemporary art, art history and creation at really fun venues around town. I told the clerk a little about my vision and she gave me a booklet with information and resources to use to help me along in my new journey. She spoke highly of the SBDC at Buffalo State.

I called the number listed for the SBDC, and very quickly and easily got myself signed up for the Entrepreneurship 101 workshop. It was really inspiring, useful, and motivating. The work we did in this class gave me a better idea of the bigger picture and how to navigate running a business. I learned how many resources are out there for small businesses. Through the program I was fortunate enough to be able to work one on one with an amazing business advisor, Marilyn Roach. She helped me navigate the overwhelming obstacles about running your own business - keeping records of revenue and spending. This was a huge obstacle for me, especially because I struggle with math and numbers. Marilyn had this calm, collected way of giving me explicit examples of what I needed to do to keep my records and how to record what I am doing.

Through my dedication to being a part of this program, I was lucky enough to receive a grant for a full website! I worked with Alotl Media Productions over the course of several months, working to build a vision when it came to my website look, feel and content. My lovely designer Lauren and her partner Cassandra were able to teach me so much I never knew I would be capable of when it comes to managing my website. They are very talented, and excited to work with first-time business owners like me to be successful in what we are doing. The support from all parties involved in this process gave me the confidence and the know-how to evolve my pop-up art studio into an online pop-up art store - a place where all of my original artwork can be turned into prints, home goods and accessories through Printify, a fast-paced growing Print on Demand (POD) company.

I have had a really positive experience working with the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State University, I have highly recommended it to quite a few people who are in the early stages of their business, and for some people who have been in business for years but need to refresh their ideas and approach to things. This programs uplifts and inspires, and the help is so needed and welcomed. I am so grateful to you all!

For more information about Phthalo Blue Art Studio and products, visit https://phthalobluearts.com/

National and Regional Bank Updates

Each month The Journey will feature information on lenders who focus on small business.?This month we are providing updates on two of our lending partners.

Citizens Bank -?small business lending.??Citizens Bank prefers to lend to small business owners who have at least one year of business experience.??They have an on-line lending application.?Meeting with a business specialist is recommended. They also provide programs to mitigate fraud within small business bank accounts.?Further, they have a new program – Commerce 360 – which includes three point of sale devices.

Contact either of the following business banking specialists:

Ms. Karen Skrzypczyk, Relationship Manager at 716.639.2140;

Email: [email protected]

Ms. Karyn Selbert, Regional Account Executive (Merchant Services) at 716.860.6222;

Email: [email protected]

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Northwest Bank - small business lending.?Northwest is very active in small business lending.?They have worked with SBDC clients for many years.??Through our experience, their average loan approvals are between $25,000 and $250,000.?They specialize in lending for start-ups.

Contact either of the following Business Banking Specialists:

Mr. Gregory Jasinski, Vice President Business Banking at 716.842.2500, ext. 37607;

Email: [email protected]

Ms. Kelly Debski, Assistant Vice President (Office Manager) at 716.862.8080;?Email:?[email protected]