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2017 Spring Newsletter | Staten Island SBDC
Director's Message
Spring Into Business
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The Spring rains have not dampened the progress of new and exciting economic development projects on Staten Island. These include developments in St. George such as the New York Wheel, the 630 ft. tall Giant Ferris Wheel under construction alongside Empire Outlets, NY City's first and only world class shopping outlet complex on Staten Island's waterfront. Completion is scheduled in a 2018/2019 time frame.
The Staten Island business community has continued to progress through the strength of our established businesses, the development of hi-tech incubators, and an evolving diverse population.
Our center is hosting a number of upcoming seminars this coming summer including Business Planning, Financial Literacy, Marketing, and more in both Brooklyn and Staten Island. If there are seminar topics you would like to see featured, please contact us.
The Staten Island SBDC has had a successful 2017 so far! I am proud to announce our Center has been awarded the 2017 SBA Small Business Development Center for Excellence and Innovation for both the New York District and Region II, along with two of our staff members selected for the 2017 New York SBDC Lead by Example Award.
Our Center will be celebrating our 25th year serving the business community in 2018. Since our inception in 1993, the expert advisors of the Staten Island SBDC have worked directly with 8,200 businesses, helping them to invest $175 million in the area's economy, and create or save 5,400 jobs.
As always, we appreciate the support of our clients and resource partners. We look forward to hearing your new ideas for this upcoming year and we hope to see you at an upcoming event!
With warm regards,
Dean L. Balsamini
Director of the SI SBDC
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With exclusive programs such as BidLinx and ProfitCents, along with one-on-one advisement sessions and a variety of workshops, seminars, and networking events, the SBDC is your go to network!
The SI SBDC covers topics from writing your business plan, creating a marketing strategy, to developing financial analysis and cash flow projections, and much more.
The SBDC now offers discounts with partners Constant Contact & Quick Books.
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Staten Island SBDC Takes Home Awards:
2017 NY SBDC Lead By Example Awardees
2017 U.S. SBA Small Business Development Center for Excellence and Innovation, New York District & Region II
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Office Manager Megan Ernst and Business Advisor Christine Purelis were recognized as the Staten Island SBDC’s “Dynamic Duo” when they were selected as the 2017 NY SBDC Lead by Example Award Recipients.
This award acknowledged them “for making a difference through outstanding work in marketing via social media by exercising a fresh creative eye and dynamic team effort and ensuring the Center’s social media following has grown; for supporting client education by coordinating training events and proactively networking with key community stakeholders.”
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The Staten Island Small Business Development Center has been selected as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2017
Small Business Development Center for Excellence and Innovation Award Winner for both the New York District as well as SBA’s Region II, which includes all districts in New York State, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“We are honored to receive this recognition on not only a state level but a regional level as well,” stated Director Dean Balsamini. “The staff consists of a talented group of professionals who deliver extensive services to our clients and have a strong passion for serving the community.”
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On the Web: How Brands Win in Moments That Matter
Tuesday, May 30th 2017
10:30am - 11:30am
Online Webinar
Business Plan Writing Workshop
Wednesday, June 14th 2017
10:30am - 12:30pm
New Utrecht Brooklyn Public Library
7143 86th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
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Financial & Physical Health for Your Small Business
Wednesday, June 14th 2017
8:30am - 11:30pm
Staten Island Borough Hall
10 Richmond Terrace, Room 125
Staten Island, NY 10301
Boots to Business Workshop
Thursday, June 22nd 2017
10:00am - 5:00pm
Richmondtown Public Library
200 Clark Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10306
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Should You Use Paid Ads to Promote Your Small Business?
Paid advertising can be a great way to guide more traffic to your site and increase business, however it can be an expensive endeavor if you don’t really know what you are doing. The article tackles the three most popular platforms for online advertising, and whether they are worth it for small businesses to invest in.
Learn the benefits and challenges of each and which would be best for your small business.
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Picture: MWBE panelists at the SIEDC Business Conference on April 27th, 2017.
Top left to right: Georgina Castanon, Walk and Explore NY, Danielle Donaphin, Donaphin Career Enrichment Services and Lenore Schwartz, Total Electric Distributors
Bottom left to right: Jaclyn Tacoronte, JMT Mediaaryann Piazza, Majestic Vending Services, and Jennifer Jackson, Small Business Administration
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M/WBE Certification is based on three levels: City, State, and Federal. Understand where your customers are located and choose appropriate certification(s).
The Minority & Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification program is dedicated to serving women-owned and minority-owned businesses that are interested in selling to local, state and federal government agencies.
Learn expectations of the application process by speaking to a business advisor and understand the process of getting your first contract/job as an MWBE.
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Staten Island SBDC Advisory Board
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On May 17, 2017, the SBDC hosted their semi-annual Advisory Board Meeting at the Staten Island Advance for the purpose of reviewing the small business economic climate on Staten Island and Brooklyn. The Advisory Board attendees included educators, small business owners, bankers, community partners, business association members and legislative representatives.
This was a dynamic meeting full of updates and developments happening throughout Staten Island, primarily on the North Shore. While challenges and issues were addressed, the highlights and positive accomplishments across the Island dominated the discussions. Topics included the economic growth of Staten Island, specifically the North Shore developments and Bay Street Corridor, the real estate market and the workforce industry for Staten Island, high tech advancements and the rise of entrepreneurship in college students. Legislative representatives provided updates for the borough and assured their interest in making improvements for our small business community.
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2017 NY SBDC Staff Training Conference
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The SBDC celebrated over three decades of dedication to helping small businesses start, grow, and adapt to the ever-changing business environment. We are proud to be a network of individuals that takes very seriously the responsibility to sharpen our skills and broaden our knowledge so we can continue to provide world-class business expertise and advisement to the small business community.
This year’s conference in Syracuse, NY was based on the theme Developing Dreams…Guiding Outcomes. This sums up the relationship that forms as a client and advisor work together to assess an idea’s viability, prepare a plan for business start-up or expansion, determine a project’s financial feasibility, and build a road map to success.
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CSI Technology Incubator - Now Accepting Applications!
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SI SBDC Businesses of the Month
"We define our success by the success of our clients."
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An initiative from the SI SBDC to showcase the success and achievements that result from the hard work and efforts formed from business relationships with our expert advisors.
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May 2017:
Grandmas2Share Inc.
"The SBDC has been a big help since I started my business. From the entrepreneurship class and learning how to draw up a business plan, to helping me with my pitch for 'Shark Tank' and 'The Toy Box.' Joe Bottega has been an integral part of growing my business in a completely professional manner. The SBDC has the networking connections and the know-how combined with experience to bring new businesses to fruition."
- Marguerite Spagnuolo, Grandmas2Share Inc.
April 2017: The Morristown Game Vault
March 2017: We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
February 2017: Errigo's Restaurant & Paulie's Pizzeria
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In the Spotlight: Young Entrepreneurs
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The Verrazano Honors School Entrepreneurship Workshop (VELA)
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The College of Staten Island’s Verrazano Honors School hosted an “Entrepreneurship 101” VELA workshop for students with SI SBDC Office Manager, Megan Ernst, who is also a Verrazano Alumni. Megan and Business Advisor Joe Bottega led an entrepreneurship workshop and discussed the services the SBDC has to offer. The SBDC often partners with their host school, CSI, to work with and assist students who are aspiring young entrepreneurs.
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2017 YEA Investor's Panel Event
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Congratulations to Gabrielle Garcia, a junior at Staten Island Technical High School, on winning the the local Staten Island Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) Competition, the National (YEA!) 2017 Saunders Scholar Competition, and AMERICA's Next Top Young Entrepreneur. In addition to first place, Gabrielle was also named the National People's Choice Champion.
Her innovative product is called "Stench Snipers," which are glove inserts that deodorize and remove bacteria from sweaty smelly hockey gloves in between playing time.
SI SBDC Senior Certified Business Advisor George Telmany has been working with Gabrielle on her business plan throughout the program. Gabrielle continues to work with George to further develop her innovative products. We look forward to seeing Gabrielle continue her success as a young entrepreneur.
Read More
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#SISBDC in Your Neighborhood
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Are you a business owner in need of assistance, but can't leave your space?
Let the SBDC come to you!
If you are interested in utilizing our services and to schedule an appointment with one of our business advisors, call us at 718-982-2560 to schedule an appointment in one of our convenient locations or for a "Feet on the Street" visit!
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#SISBDC Spotted outside of the College of Staten Island!
The SI SBDC network is constantly growing and supporting our communities. Have you seen us at an event or helping out a nearby business? Tag us in your photos to be featured on Facebook &Twitter.
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BETTER SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IN 3 LOCATIONS:
MAIN OFFICE:
College of Staten Island
2800 Victory Blvd. SI NY 10314
Building 3A Room 105
Call for an Appointment: 718-982-2560
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STATEN ISLAND OUTREACH OFFICE:
St. George Satellite Office
Business Advisor: Joe Bottega
Phone: (718) 873-4496
Call to make an appointment today!
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BROOKLYN
OUTREACH OFFICE:
Bay Ridge Satellite Office
Business Advisor: George Telmany
Phone: (718) 619-5603
Call to make an appointment today!
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STAY CONNECTED
@SISBDC #SISBDC
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The SBDC is a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions, or services of any external parties or activities.
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