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Business Success Begins With the Chamber and You
Allan Zoghby Owner Zoghby’s Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream
S eptember 2011
7 Tips to Pump up Your Productivity Are you Projecting an Organized Image? 10 Ways to Promote Your Business With QR Codes
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Read This to See If You Qualify for a...
NYS Grant Established to Help You Start a Business or Grow Your Existing Business
A 10 week accelerated business course is being offered for starting your own business, or growing your existing business, that is partially funded by a grant from the Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.
Only $297 when you enroll by 1/25/12
This program is now being offered to individuals in Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Rockland and Westechester counties.
You may qualify to take this course: R If you are a minority, a woman, or disabled R If you are truly serious about starting a business this year
You r ke y to
fina
nci al s ucc ess
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R If you’re looking for funding to expand your existing business R If you are looking for funding to start a new business You’ll learn: R 5 steps for starting your own business R Advanced advertising & marketing strategies R Using the Internet to attract customers R How to create a winning business plan R How to choose the best business legal entity R How to organize your business for success R ...and much more! The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) is a 20 session, 60 hour program held over a 10 week period. Classes are held at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Center. Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm to 9pm starting January 31, 2012. All students are eligible to apply for funding up to $70,000 through our Mid-Hudson Loan Fund. Additional funding through traditional lenders as well as SBA backed loans.
Your Orange County Chamber of Commerce
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The above -- and more -- enable the Orange County Chamber to consistently deliver excep onal programs and services not only to our members, but to the community in general. Partnerships with other organiza ons are vital to the Chamber ’s mission, and the results of these alliances have dis nguished the Orange County Chamber locally, statewide and na onally. Recognizing that businesses want to be environmentally-conscious, the Chamber recently launched a program that enables members to become cer fied as sustainable. Partnering with Greenopia, a na onal leader in green-rated brands and services, and the local community college, the Chamber makes it possible for members to receive cer fica on as sustainable and to be promoted as such. The Chamber is a key partner with the 105th Air Na onal Guard and MAG-49 Marines units sta oned at Stewart Interna onal Airport in Orange County. Every three years, the Chamber leads the business community in hos ng a Military Apprecia on Picnic for 6,000 ANG and Marines servicemen and women and theirfamilies. The Chamber also coordinates an annual Civic Leaders Tour in conjunc on with the 105th ANG, bringing local business and community leaders to key military installa ons around the Septembe r 2 011
Photograph by Wendy Melick
or more than 125 years, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce has worked on behalf of businesses in Orange County and the Hudson Valley. Our commitment is deep: the average tenure of staff members is 16 years; President Dr. John A. D’Ambrosio has led this Chamber for nearly 30 years and is the senior Chamber execu ve in New York State; in 2007, the Chamber constructed and moved into a new 20,000 SF facility, complete with mee ng rooms for members, as well as a Small Business Resource Center that provides free SCORE counseling, as well as a new Entrepreneurial Assistance Program funded by a grant from New York State. We also offer two revolving loan funds for small businesses.
Edison R. Guzman, Carol Smith and Chamber President , Dr. John A. D’Ambrosio
country to enhance their understanding of our military. Advocacy for business-friendly legisla on has been a key element in the Chamber ’s program of work for many years, but never more so than recently as we’ve all faced difficult economic mes and growing an -business policies from Albany. Recognizing the business community ’s need for proac ve government rela ons, two staff members are registered as NYS lobbyists. Supported by an ac ve Government Ini a ves Commi ee, the Chamber is front and center on all issues that affect the business community. We are an ac ve par cipant in all of The Business Council of New York State’s e-advocacy programs. For 19 years, the Chamber has hosted the region’s largest business-tobusiness trade show, in recent years dona ng the admission profits to local chari es. For more than a decade, we have partnered with the Orange County United Way to present the county ’s largest golf ou ng, again dona ng some of the proceeds to local non-profit organiza ons. Another key Chamber partnership is with the local daily newspaper, which publishes the Chamber ’s monthly
newsle er, The Business Viewpoint. With a circula on of more than 60,000, the publica on provides extraordinary promo on for member businesses. We’re addressing the needs of younger businessmen and women through our dynamic Young Professionals group. These YPs have been very ac ve in developing a successful workshop series on social media and its implica ons in today ’s business world. The key message to our members is, “Working together, we will succeed.” Recognizing that difficult mes o en bring out the best in people, it has been the Orange County Chamber ’s mission to help our members look beyond the difficul es and focus on the new possibili es for success on the other side. Our programs and services have reflected that mission for over a century and they will con nue to do so. ChamberU Magazine and The Entrepreneurial Assistance Program are just the latest examples of the Chamber establishing programs to meet the ever-growing needs of our members and the business community.
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EAP Welcomes New Program Manager By Ellen Willoughby Daley, Vice President, Communica ons, Orange County Chamber of Commerce
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ne of the first graduates of the Entrepreneurial Assistance Program offered through the Orange County Chamber of Commerce is now Manager of the program. Cynthia Marsh-Croll, who is President of Croll Produc ve Synergy, became the new EAP Manager in August, succeeding Edison Guzman, who will con nue as an EAP consultant and instructor. The EAP Manager is responsible for oversight of the program, coordina ng instructors, implemen ng the curriculum and repor ng to New York State (EAP is par ally funded by a grant from the Empire State Development EAP program). In the fall of 2009, Marsh-Croll had been running her consul ng business for about five and a half years. Her exper se is streamlin-
ing businesses, enabling them to operate be er, faster and cheaper than the compe on. At that me, though, she had rebranded Croll Produc ve Synergy, deciding to take it in a different direc on. “I outgrew my business plan,” she explains. “ Taking my business in a different direc on and signing up for EAP were both good decisions.” Marsh-Croll graduated from EAP in January 2010. The fall series of EAP classes begins on September 19. Another round will start in January 2012. Average class sizes is about 20. To date, 67 individuals have gone through the program. In addi on to helping exis ng and start-up businesses, EAP assists businesses that want to be cer fied as Minority or Woman-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE). Technical workshops are also
Cynthia Marsh-Croll
scheduled which are intended to help students on a one-to-one basis. The first of these workshops will be presented by Kim Petro McCrum on October 15 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Open to the public, the workshop will focus on small business finances (accoun ng, bookkeeping, QuickBooks, etc.). Visit www.OrangeNyEap.com for more informa on.
ChamberU is printed by Wes!air Business Publica"ons Custom Publishing Division on behalf of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce 30 Sco ’s Corners Dr., Montgomery, NY 12549 Tel: (845) 457-9700 Fax: (845) 457-8799 Web: OrangeNY.com and ChamberU.biz To adver se in ChamberU Magazine, go to ChamberU.biz or call Edison Guzman at (845) 940-5369. Front cover: Allan Zoghby of Zoghby’s Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream Credits to: Edison Guzman, Ellen Daley, Daniel Rea O’Brien, and all contribu ng experts to this publica on. This publica on is par ally funded by a grant from the Empire State Development Entrepreneurial Assistance Program, and The Orange County Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at ChamberU.biz. Septembe r 2 011
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Ice Cream Grows in Orange County Blueberry Mountain Ice cream Inc, has been in business since 1985 and has had business success over the years in the Walkill area of Orange County, NY. Allan joined the EAP program in order to create a business plan that would get no ced by lenders, due to the credit crunch most business owners are experiencing. A er gradua on, he submi ed a winning business plan to the Mid-Hudson Valley Loan Fund, and was approved for funding. Allan Zoghby of Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream Inc.
He was able to use the funds to add new lines of services, new
products, and hire addi onal employees to help deliver his services. Blueberry Mountain Ice cream is a community ins tu on that offers ice cream and other food services in addi on to off-site catering that allows him to expand his business and increase revenue. You may have tasted his home made ice cream over the years. If you have, you’ll know why people love it. Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream is located at 655 Route 17M Middletown. Call him at (845) 283-7200
A Sustainable Na!ve Twist to the Built Environment of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in associa on with Syracuse University. Chad is no stranger to the landscape industry, drawing on experience of over ten (10) years working in the maintenance and construc on side of the industry and over five (5) years in design and consulta on.
Chad M. Wade, R.L.A. LandArch Studios, Inc. Chad is Licensed and Registered with the New York State Board of Educa on to Prac ce Landscape Architecture and holds a Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture from the State University Septembe r 2 011
He a ended the 10 week EAP program and graduated in December, 2010. However, he waited un l August, 2011 to incorporate LandArch Studios, PLLC due to a conflict of interest with his then, exis ng employer. Chad was also approved for business funding through the NYS MidHudson Revolving Loan Fund
offered to graduates of the program. He has implemented what he has learned by networking with Steve Wagner of Wagner Landscaping, an EAP classmate. Chad wants everyone to know that “landscape architects is a valuable tool to u lize for any aspect of a project. From as li le as picking plants, to variances, approvals and permits.” He is dedicated to ensuring that the Hudson Valley con nues to grow and prosper, while being conscious of the environmental impact associated with this growth. He is passionate about reducing his carbon footprint, and is an advocate for buying local. Call him at (845) 216-0623. C hambe r U.b iz 3
10 Ways to Promote Your Business With QR Codes By Edison R. Guzman, A&E Advertising and Web Design Why are QR codes so popular? Consider these sta s cs:
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hat are QR Codes? A QR Code (Quick Response) is a mobile phone readable barcode that's been big in Japan for years, penetrated Europe a while back, and is now ge ng trac on in the USA. A QR Code can contain a phone number, a web site address, an SMS message, V-Card data or just plain alphanumeric text. You simply use a scanning device (smart phone with the right app) and it will respond by opening up the correct applica on to handle the encoded data. Here is a sample: (scan this with your smart phone. If you don't have an app, go to the App store or Android market and download a free QR Reader)
• 1.2 billion mobile phones were sold in 2009 • 314.7 million phones were sold in January to March 2010 alone. 54.3 million were smart phones. 19% of all phones sold are now smart phones • In 2010 mobile subscribers surpassed 5 billion. The world popula on is 6.8 billion. • Over 70% of the world's popula on now have mobile phones. • In the U.S., 9 out of 10 of every man, woman and child have a phone. • One in ten people have a second phone that is kept secret from other family members. • Apple has sold almost 60 million iPhones world wide, while Google’s Android OS is growing at 886% year on year and now ac va ng over 160,000 devices a day, across 60 devices in over 49 countries. And at that rate, Android will come from behind to overtake Apple as the leading smart phone OS in 2011. • In 2009, $4.2 billion was spent on apps. It is es mated to grow to $29.5 billion by 2013. • The most common data applica on is SMS (Text Messaging). By the end of 2010 over 6.5 trillion messages will have been sent. (Most of them by my daughter). • In the future, more people will connect to the Internet via phone than a PC. See source of these sta s cs at digitalbuzzblog.com/mobilesta s cs-2011-growth-of-mobile
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Now that you know the power of the QR code, here are 10 ways to use them to promote your business: 1. Add code to your web site with your contact info, or any other info. 2. Add QR code to your facebook, hvBiz.com, and LinkedIn accounts. 3. Add QR code to printed material (sta onery, brochures, flyers, billboards, etc.) 4. Add QR code to promo onal material (mugs, pads, calendars, magnets, hats, etc.) 5. Add QR code to the back of your business card. 6. Print QR code on a t-shirt and promote your business with it. 7. Print QR code on a badge and wear it to EXPOs, networking events, etc. 8. Use QR codes to build a list of subscribers. Instead of asking someone to text "myoffer" to "123456," this can be part of the QR code. No typing, just scanning. Once you build the list, you can promote other products and services to them in the future. 9. Use QR codes to send prospec ve customers to your mobile web site where you'll have videos, tes monials, product demos, etc.) 10. Use QR code to send prospec ve customers to a special VIP page with coupons, special offers, how to informa on, etc. Edison R. Guzman is the founder of hvBiz.com, an online network for Hudson Valley business owners and Entrepreneurs. He also owns A&E Adver sing and Web Design. Contact him at www.aeAdver sing.com. Septembe r 2 011
Are You Projec ng an Organized Image? By Lisa Montanaro, LM Organizing Solu ons, LLC about it. Who would you prefer to do business with? Messy Marvin, who always looks a mess, can’t find papers, forgets to return phone calls, and is late for mee ngs? Or Organized Ollie, who always looks put-together, returns phone calls within 24 hours, has an efficient paper management system, and is consistently on me for mee ngs and appointments? I would guess Organized Ollie (yes, maybe you would like to go to Happy Hour with Marvin, but that is a different story!).
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or those of you who were in high school in the 1980s (that would be me!), you may remember Joan Je singing, “I don’t give a damn about my reputa on!” Sure, Joan could get away with not caring about her reputa on (indeed, one can argue that her image was, in fact, not caring about her reputa on, but I digress), but can you? The idea of projec ng an organized image can be controversial. Why? Because as professional organizers, many of us teach that being organized has less to do with the way an environment looks than how effec vely it func ons. The goal is not to be organized, but for your life, home, and work to run more smoothly. In other words, we do not generally focus on the outward percep on of organizing or the aesthe cs of it, but more on the way it improves your life. We preach that it is not about being “neat.” And that is all true. But I also truly believe that projec ng an organized image will posi vely affect your life in a myriad of ways. Think Septembe r 2 011
Being organized can improve rela onships and your reputa on. You will be more produc ve at work, which will translate into returning phone calls and emails quicker, showing up for mee ngs on me, etc. When you are organized in the workplace, you project a professional put-together image that people trust and are a racted to. At home, many families have disagreements that stem from disorganized systems and habits in the home. Therefore, ge ng organized almost always improves your family life. And there are many people who are disorganized at home and embarrassed to have guests over, which certainly curtails your social life. So ge ng organized at home and projec ng that type of image will probably help you to be a be er host. Don’t confuse projec ng an organized image with perfec on. Perfec on is not the goal here. But realize that your habits do affect your overall image and the way others perceive you. Start watching others who you admire and
respect, and see what type of image they project. Emulate those who you think look put-together and project an organized image. I can’t promise you it will change everything in your life, but I can promise you it will help. Copyright © 2011 Lisa Montanaro. Lisa Montanaro is a Cer fied Professional Organizer, a business & life coach, and a mo va onal speaker. Drawing upon her experience as an a orney, mediator, teacher, and performer, Lisa founded LM Organizing Solu ons, LLC in 2002 and has helped hundreds of people live be er lives and manage more produc ve companies and organiza ons. Lisa is a member of the Na onal Associa on of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the Na onal Speakers Associa on (NSA). Lisa has presented professionally to audiences throughout the United States, has been interviewed by television and radio hosts, and is a frequent guest expert for teleclasses and webinars. Lisa’s work has been featured in the media, and her wri en content has been widely published online and in print. Her new book, The Ul mate Life Organizer, was published by Peter Pauper Press. Details can be found at TheUl mateLifeOrganize.com. Find more informa on about Lisa at her website, www.LMOrganizing Solu ons.com, and blog, www.DecideToBeOrganized.com.
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7 Tips to Pump up Your Produc vity By Cynthia Marsh-Croll, Croll Produc ve Synergy summary and not all that detail. • Have a standardized filing system for paper and electronic files to reduce or eliminate me searching for these items.
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s a business owner or an employee, we are all faced with doing more with less. Less money, resources and staff. This is increasing stress, unhappiness and reduced produc vity. Below are some ps to help you increase your produc vity.
• Piles on your desk contain postponed decisions or work in progress. That is cash flow on your desk. Instead of batching all that work at once, process small pieces at a me and move it forward in the workflow. For example: get 3 orders processed by 12PM, then another 3 by 3PM and 2 more by 5PM. Instead of not doing any of them and trying to do it all at once. This will also help to prevent overloading the person farther downstream.
• Spend 15 minutes at the end of your day preparing for the next. Do the same thing at the end of your workweek to prepare for the next week and be able to enjoy your day off.
• When processing paperwork or informa on, make it harder for someone to make a mistake than to do it correctly. Look at how you are doing things and find ways to do it quickly and correctly. Think of the website that will not let you hit enter before filling everything out.
• Eliminate any unnecessary reports that have become outdated or irrelevant. Do this by asking the people who receive the reports if they need or use them. Most people just want a
• In an organiza on workflow is never even across all areas. There are hills and valleys of ac vity. By cross training staff you can u lize someone from another area if help is needed in
a department that is backed up. • Spend at least 60 and up to 90 minutes a day of uninterrupted me to process the most important tasks for that day. Schedule this me in your calendar. Just by implemen ng these ps you will see a marked improvement in your produc vity as well as the organiza on’s. Share these with coworkers to see how they can reduce waste in their area while opera ng be er, faster, cheaper than your compe on. Croll Produc ve Synergy has been successfully helping diverse businesses create customized efficiency systems in the Hudson Valley. By “crea ng the shortest path to success,” I have been able to facilitate improved workflow systems, allowing clients to save me, focus on revenue genera ng tasks, priori ze for maximum cash flow, effec vely delegate and, consequently, increase profits. To learn how to operate be er, faster, cheaper than your compe on visit www.CrollProduc ve Synergy.com. Copyright © 2011 Cynthia MarshCroll, Croll Produc ve Synergy.
If You’d Like to Reach Business Owners and Business Startups, You Should Adver se in ChamberU Magazine. Here’s How... ChamberU Magazine is distributed throughout the Hudson Valley, in Orange, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester Coun es. Copies are inserted in the Wes!air Communica ons publica on for distri6 C hambe r U.b iz
bu on to local businesses, and more are distributed through SCORE business chapters, libraries, Chambers of Commerce, banks, county clerks offices, etc. in order to reach individuals desiring to start a business. Get circula on, adver sing rates, ad
sizes, frequency of publica on and full Media Kit at www.ChamberU.biz. If you’d like to adver se in our upcoming issue, you can submit an ad 24/7 online at ChamberU.biz or call Edison Guzman of A&E Adver sing and Web Design (9am to 5pm) at (845) 940-5369. Septembe r 2 011
3 Insurance Traps of Triple Net By Gregory M. Hogan, CIC, Hutchings Agency, Inc. itself. Control. Your agreement likely requires that you be added to the tenant ’s policy as an “addi onal insured” (more on this later). However, this status does not give you direct control of the insurance, in fact it gives you no control of the insurance. You will not receive no ces of change, failure you to pay premium, etc. This lack of control could have disastrous results.
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n recent years, more and more building owners in the Hudson Valley and across the country have become fascinated with the concept of the “triple net lease.” A primary reason for this is that the terms of such a lease require the tenant of the building to purchase and maintain adequate insurance on the building itself. This contrasts with tradi onal lease agreements, which generally state that a tenant is responsible for insuring what ’s his and the building owner handles the rest. In a world of shi ing cost, it is easy to see why a triple net lease is a rac ve to building owners; their tenants buy the coverage thereby saving the owners the cost and (assumed) hassle of ge ng their own coverage. In many cases building owners are encouraged by their key people and advisors to pursue such an arrangement. Unfortunately, many forget to seek advice from their insurance professional and this could jeopardize them in unsuspected ways. This ar cle will address three specific areas that the building owner should be concerned about: control, contractual rights and the coverage
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If your tenant fails to pay the premium or maintain proper coverage limits and there’s a loss to the building, you, the building owner, will ul mately be the one to suffer. For example, your lease may specifically state that the tenant must buy insurance that covers loss from flood. Your tenant fails to renew his flood policy on me and the building is washed away the following day. Yes, the tenant is in direct viola on of the lease and you can sue, however, that does not change the fact that you are stuck with a flooded building and no insurance to pay the damage. How long will that take to straighten out? Contractual Rights. Consider the following: most insurance policies include special rights for mortgagees of a property. These rights include no fica on of changes (even cancella on) and the ability to receive payments for a loss, even if that loss is in direct viola on of the terms of the insurance, such as a tenant causing inten onal damage (e.g., arson). These rights are essen al while the mortgagee retains interest in the property. The majority of landlords are not mortgagees. Therefore, landlords usually require they be
added to the policy as an addi onal insured or interest with the assump on being they would be en tled to receive the insurance proceeds. However, if your tenant commits any viola on of the terms of the insurance contract (such as inten onal damage), the contract may be void for every insured, including you. Also, keep in mind that being an addi onal insured or interest does not change the coverage provided by the policy. The insurance policy will not fulfill the terms of your lease just because your tenant thought it would. Coverage. Why entrust an asset this valuable to someone who has no real ownership interest? Your tenant will be contractually obligated to provide coverage, but at what level? Will they review the coverage to ensure that it covers you in the best fashion, or will they just buy the cheapest coverage they can? Will this policy purchased by your tenant provide sufficient coverage for debris removal, ordinance or law requirements, and replacement cost? There are other areas as well, but only some of the most important have been highlighted. It ’s true that a triple net lease can save you a few premium dollars. Just remember that savings doesn’t come without a price. Consider what you’re giving up in return. Gregory M. Hogan, CIC, is a Cer fied Insurance Counselor specializing in coverage for business owners and their assets. He can be reached at the Hutchings Agency, Inc. in Middletown, NY, 845-343-2148. C hambe r U.b iz 7
Keeping Your Business Safe from the Internet By Patrick D. Turner, Li le Pond Consul ng, LLC. One of my clients recently received an email from someone that he thought he knew and opened the email. As soon as he opened the email, Internet explorer opened up and what looked like a virus removal tool.
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here are many things to worry about when it comes to your business. One of the most unknown and unpredictable elements out there is the internet. I am going to describe a scenario where some preventa ve measures make being connected to the internet a lot safer. Everyone uses the internet in their work, wether you are looking something up or actually doing business online. There is also a dark side to the internet, the many hidden threats that come in many forms. A good example of this is a seemingly friendly email that you open up to read and before you know it, your computer is rendered useless.
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The hoax virus scanner looked like a normal window, a scan started and told him he had 35 viruses that needed to be removed. He couldn't close the window, uninstall the hoax virus scanner, or run any of his programs. The hoax virus scanner had completely consumed his machine. The malicious program wanted him to purchase the “full version” of the scanner and enter a credit card number. We were both glad he didn't. Other less obvious threats can lurk about in the background of your computer, gathering your data or even worse, your clients data without anyone knowing. This may go undetected for weeks or months. A good virus scanner will minimize these threats and keep your corporate network safe. Your internet connec on also needs a good firewall to block malicious threats from the internet. A firewall will provide a greater level of security than if you just plugged your computers into your cable modem directly. The firewall is designed to watch
the internet traffic and determine whether the traffic is safe or if there is a threat contained in the informa on coming in. If the firewall finds a threat it stops it from coming in to your businesses network and you usually are never even aware of it. The firewall has to be maintained and kept up to date on what threats are out there. A good firewall will come with a subscrip on for updates, usually based on an annual term. This keeps it current. One of the best things you can do to keep your business computers safe is to be aware. We have all been in a hurry and gone through our email really fast and opened junk mail by accident. Take precau on to really no ce who is sending you an email and what it may be for. If you receive an unexpected email from someone, give them a call to see if they really sent it. Some computer viruses take control of computers and send emails out with the user's account, so it looks like someone you know very well just sent you an email. A li le precau on can save a lot of headaches. Patrick D. Turner is President of Li le Pond Consul ng, LLC. You can reach him at 845-541-6335, or visit him on the web at www.Li lePondConsul ng.com
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Your Resource for Inspira on and Mo va on By Linda Rose D’Avanzo
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hink this is a photo of a photographer who wants you to hire her to take your picture? Think again! It is a self portrait of a photographer launching her new career as an author of inspira onal stories, e-books, and audio books designed to promote stress reduc on and personal growth. I graduated from the EAP program in November 2010 during a six month period of reflec on I embraced in order to discern the viability of a new business venture I wanted to pursue. Under the inspiring guidance of Edison Guzman of A&E Adver sing I learned that business development and personal development go hand in hand. You simply can’t do one without the other. Through the EAP program I learned that my new idea to have a travelling book mobile was viable, but not lucra ve. The process which ensued was both soul searching and gut wrenching. The result was the expansion of my vision from becoming a local peddler of existing inspira onal books, to a new iden ty as an author of my own crea ve wri ng with a web based business.
Now I have the ability to reach the whole world, without spending a dime on gas or inventory! My biggest challenge has been overcoming my fear of technology and the loss of my anonymity. The very process fuels my didac c mission. The classical method I have chosen to convey my message is story telling. In addi on to modern fables, I also produce children’s stories for young entrepreneurs and professionals which are as good for parents as they are for their kids.
Empire State Development Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency and administrator of the statewide business resource portal New York First (www.NYfirst.NY.gov [2]). The mission of Empire State Development is to promote business investment and growth that leads to job crea on and prosperous communi es across New York State. ESD also oversees the marke ng of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more informa on on Empire State Development, visit www.esd.ny.gov [3]. See resource links: [2] www.NYfirst.NY.gov and [3] www.esd.ny.gov Septembe r 2 011
I put my working knowledge of theology, psychology, neuroscience, nutri on and business development into my stories to help people cope and grow in this great me of personal, economic, poli cal and global stress. I am currently working with ar sts Jay Chamberlin and Ta ana Rhinevault to illustrate and produce videos of my work, and hope to have feature films in the future. But for now, you can read or listen to my new e-book THINK AGAIN. Come visit my web site for a free sample of my work at www.Al mater.com!
The State Small Business Credit Ini a ve President Obama signed into law the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 on September 27, 2010 to help increase credit availability for small businesses. The Act included the State Small Business Credit Ini a ve, a $1.5 billion program administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury intended to provide direct support to states for use in programs designed to increase small businesses' access to credit. See www.NYfirst.NY.gov C hambe r U.b iz 9
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Fonts of Knowledge By Douglas Winslow Cooper
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type face. Worse yet, my keyboard has ny type with poor contrast. Redesigning the keyboard should allow for a somewhat larger font. Do it, Amazon.
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es, I know the phrase is “fount of knowledge,” not “font of knowledge,” but bear with me. Somebody could get rich with what I am going to reveal. We are all ge ng older. As we age, our eyesight gets worse. I have various vision problems: nearsightedness, cataracts, epire nal membranes, distor on of the… well, never mind. You get the idea. Tersely put, I have trouble seeing. Not so much trouble as to warrant taking away my driver ’s license, of course, but trouble. I am not alone. The Baby Boom genera on is right behind me, their vision worsening, too.
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Business Plan Writting Class on Video 4 DVDs - Plus Bonus CD of Templates. Watch, Listen, Write. Get Going, Get it Done. Go to: BusinessPlanWritingClass.com 10 C hambe r U.b iz
The Big Idea is this: larger type fonts on almost everything, especially that which you want us to read. I love my electronic book, my Kindle, especially two of its features: I can adjust the type size and I can also have it read to me from those books that have not disabled the reading-out-loud func on. My peeve with my device is that there are areas which do not allow increasing the too-small
Concerning contrasts, please use black on white whenever possible. Those of us with cataracts, common in the “mature” ci zenry, need more contrast. Gray on white or light green on white or any pastel on white no longer suffice. White on a dark background is not as good, either. Sorry. A favorite magazine, Guideposts, has a Large Print edi on, a blessing. I’ve told my publisher to use twelve-point type for my memoir, Ting and I [this is a not-too-subtle plug]. I wish the daily newspaper came with larger type, too. Physics Today has sec ons I can read and some I cannot. Lis ngs of ingredients on packages, direc ons for use, could benefit from larger fonts. I know there would be room for fewer words, but “brevity is the soul of wit.” Be pithy, in a larger font, please, black on white, where feasible. Readers, the race is on. Who among you will bring LARGE PRINT to us masses? Douglas Winslow Cooper, Ph.D., is a freelance writer and re red physicist, author of Ting and I: A Memoir of Love, Courage, and Devo on, available from Outskirts Press in September 2011 or from web site, ngandi.com. His email is douglas@ ngandi.com. Septembe r 2 011
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County Clerks Offices
f you’d like to start your own business as a sole proprietor or partnership, you must file with your local county clerk’s office within the Hudson Valley. You must file a business cer ficate for any county you wish to do business within. Visit each county ’s web site in order to download a copy of the business cer ficate. Dutchess County Dutchess County Clerk 22 Market Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: (845) 486-2120 Fax: (845) 486-2138 Web: www.co.dutchess.ny.us
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Orange County Orange County Government Center 255 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924 Phone: (845) 291-2700 Web: www.co.orange.ny.us
Sullivan County Sullivan County Clerk 100 North Street Mon cello, NY 12701 Phone: (845)794-3000 Web: www.co.sullivan.ny.us
Putnam County Putnam County Office Building 40 Gleneida Avenue, Room 100 Carmel, NY 10512 Phone: (845) 808-1142 Web: www.putnamcountyny.com
Ulster County Ulster County Clerk's office. 244 Fair Street Kingston, NY 12401 Phone: (845) 340-3288 Fax: (845) 340-3299 Web: www.co.ulster.ny.us
Rockland County Rockland County Courthouse 1 South Main Street, Suite 100 New City, NY 10956 Telephone (845) 638-5070 Web: www.co.rockland.ny.us
Westchester County 110 Dr. Mar n Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 330 White Plains, NY 10601 Phone: (914) 995-3070 Web: www.westchestergov.com
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Free Help for Anyone Star ng or Growing Their Business
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n just 3 steps, we’ll show you how to find, develop and nurture a business mentor that will help you through the booms and busts of small business ownership. Whether you’re just ge ng started, or are a business veteran and looking for answers, the following will help you find the right help for you. Step 1 - Figure Out What You Need Help With — and Yes, Everyone Needs Help from Time to Time. Pick out the top three challenges you or your business faces—and priori!ze them in order of having the biggest impact on your business success. If you’re just star!ng out, have a series of ques!ons ready. Although some!mes you will not know what to ask, it is always good to arrive prepared with as many ques!ons as possible, so that you can get the most out of your meeting. Step 2 - Carve Out Time in Your Busy Schedule to Devote to Mee ng
with a Business Mentor. It ’s not easy for entrepreneurs to find !me to meet with a mentor when so much is happening with the business that appears to be and maybe is, more pressing. But, in order to get help, you have to commit some of your !me and energy to mee!ng with your mentor. It ’s just like exercise—you’ll be glad that you did it and will feel energized when you finished.
Orange - Chapter: 465 30 Sco"'s Corners Drive Montgomery, NY 12549 Phone: (845) 457-9700 Fax: (845) 457-8799 Web: www.OrangeNyScore.com Putnam - Chapter: 678 34 Gleneida Avenue Carmel, NY 10512 Phone: (845) 225-6030 Fax: (845) 225-0311 Web: www.PutnamScore.org
Step 3 - Find a Mentor you Click With There are several local SCORE chapters listed below. Choose the most convenient for you for a face-to-face confiden!al mee!ng.
Rockland - Chapter: 677 Key Bank 4 North Main Street Spring Valley, NY 10977 Phone: (845) 426-1206 Web: www.RocklandScore.org
If you can’t get to a local chapter, visit www.Score.org for an online, or “virtual,” mentor.
Sullivan - Chapter: 697 P.O. Box 405 Mongaup Valley, NY 12762 Phone: (845) 791-4200 Web: www.SullivanScore.com
Dutchess - Chapter: 59 1 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie, NY 10261 Phone: (845) 454-1700 x1021 Fax: (845) 454-1702 Web: www.ScoreDutchessNY.org
Ulster - Chapter: 533 1 Development Court Kingston, NY 12401 Phone: (845) 339-0468 Fax: (845) 339-0780 Web: www.ScoreUlster.org Westchester - Chapter: 306 120 Bloomingdale Road White Plains, NY 10605 Phone: (914) 948-3907 Fax: (914) 948-4645 Web: ScoreWestchester.com Your counseling session is always free thanks to our volunteers. Brought to you by SCORE, America's small business mentors.
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Governor Cuomo Signs Bill to Expand Small Business Access to Credit and Equity Investments Bill authorizes use of federal funds for New York State small business programs and establishes a new seed-stage equity fund
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lbany, NY ( July 20, 2011 ) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he has signed a bill to enhance small businesses' access to capital and credit in New York State. The bill authorizes the use of federal funds for three New York State small business programs: the Innovate NY Fund, the New York State Capital Access Program, and the Bonding Guarantee Assistance Program. New York will receive up to $55.4 million through this ini a ve. These funds are expected to leverage at least $800 million in private investment and create thousands of jobs.
tal Access Program, which provides matching funds to loan loss reserve pools at financial ins tu ons as an incen ve to increase small business lending; the bill expands the range of New York-based financial ins tu ons that can par cipate in the program, which had been ac ve only as a pilot program from 2002-05; the bill provides approximately $18 million for this program • The bill ac vates New York's Bonding Guarantee Assistance Program, which provides credit to help small and minority- and womenowned businesses secure bonding; the bill provides approximately $10 million for this program
"Small business innova on is key to crea ng a more efficient and effec ve economy that works for all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "These programs will help increase access to cri cal capital and credit for a wide range of small businesses, giving them the tools they need to kick-start the economy across our state. With these programs, we are also making it easier for minority- and women-owned business enterprises to secure bonding for state contrac ng and we are crea ng a suppor ve environment for small businesses throughout in New York."
New York is eligible to receive approximately $55.4 million in federal funds for these programs. The exact award that the state will receive is expected to be announced this summer.
The bill authorizes the use of federal funds that are available through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's State Small Business Credit Ini a ve for three economic development programs: • The bill establishes the Innovate NY Fund, a new seed-stage equity fund to support innova on, job crea on, and high growth entrepreneurship throughout the state; the bill provides approximately $25 million for this program • The bill amends New York's CapiSeptembe r 2 011
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, "Vibrant small businesses are the backbone of a strong economy, and thanks to Governor Cuomo and the Innova ve NY Fund, they are ge ng stronger. With the introduc on of the Innovate NY Fund, we will be er support our new high growth firms by making cri cally needed 'seed-stage' capital available to small businesses that have the poten al to grow rapidly and create jobs. These programs will provide small businesses with greater access to addi onal credit from tradi onal and alterna ve financial ins tu ons, rebuilding our economy from the ground up." New York State Senator James S. Alesi, Chairman of the Senate Commi ee on Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business and lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, said, "I commend Governor
Cuomo for making his top priori es this session revitalizing New York's economy and pu ng people back to work. Today's legisla on is a step in the right direc on, providing New York's hundreds of small businesses access to more than $50 million in federal funds, and empowering emerging businesses through the Innovate NY Fund. Ul mately, these vital funds will further our efforts to revitalize our struggling economy and create new jobs, and no one could argue that New York doesn't need new jobs right now." New York State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, Chairman of the Assembly Commi ee on Economic Development, Job Crea on, Commerce & Industry and lead sponsor of the bill in the Assembly, said, "I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo signed this legisla on into law. The Innovate NY Fund will do exactly what New York State is in desperate need of – crea ng and retaining jobs in homegrown hightech companies by inves ng approximately $25 million in seedstage funding to New York State businesses. Up un l now, government-sponsored research helped support the inven on of numerous ideas and products that could benefit society, but fell short of advancing products beyond the incep on stage. The crea on of this new fund will increase the State's ability to assist businesses that are launching new inven ons by gran ng funds for products to get out of the incep on stage and into the marketplace." Source URL: h p://www.governor.ny.gov/press /07202011BillToExpandSmallBusin essAccesstoCredit Link: h p://www.governor.ny.gov C hambe r U.b iz 13
EAP Gradua ng Class of April, 2011 Mayra Araujo Peter Artusa Rachael Bertoni Gregory Brennan Angela Castellano Amanda Dorthe Charles Fox Kevin Gallagher Steve Gross Zachary Holden Merridith Ingram Patricia Kleiman Stacey Lyle Maggie Matos Fred Medina Mary Muller Ruth Platt Hassan Ray Bernadette Redmond Tracey Robinson Leroy Simpson Yvonne Whitaker Far left - Carol Smith
Far right - Edison Guzman
EAP Gradua ng Class of December, 2010 Winston Ash Marie Byrne Angelina Collins Linda D'Avanzo Rick DiDonato Larry Giuliana Deborah Giuliani Edison Guzman II Stacey Hawkins Randy Hedden Robert Massarini Ruben Osorio Craig Pelsue Shawn Roebuck Johana Sanchez Ty Satcher Margaret Turner Maria Turner Vicki Vingoe Chad Wade Steven Wagner Chris Wheeler Charlene Finerty Instructor Third from left - Carol Smith
Far right - Edison Guzman
Is it your turn to start or grow your business? Go to www.OrangeNYEAP.com to discover how you can be part of the next EAP class. 14 C hambe r U.b iz
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Business Resources Business Resources in NYS - Just about anything you want to know about running a business, including a searchable database of available grants and financial resources for your business. www.Business.gov Corpora!on and Business En!ty Database Search - See if your company ’s name is available before you incorporate. www.dos.state.ny.us/corps/bus_ en!ty_search.html Corpora!on filing informa!on, fees, and publica!ons – NYS filing fees when incorpora!ng your business. h"p://www.dos.state.ny.us/cor ps/dom_busfile.html Domain Name Research and Registra!on - See if your desired domain name is available for registra!on. A domain name is the address your poten!al customer will use to find you on the Internet. www.aeDomain.com
IRS Web Site - Find all related issues with US Federal taxes. www.IRS.gov Minority and Women Owned Business Development - You will find informa!on related to the cer!fica!on process, resources for technical assistance, access to capital, contract opportuni!es, MWBE Events, and a vendor registry search tool to help you find New York State cer!fied MWBEs. www.nylovesmwbe.ny.gov NY State Web Site – Everything you need to know about doing business in NYS can be found within this web site including taxa!on and finance. www.dos.state.ny.us NYS Department of Labor – Have employee ques!ons? This is the place to answer anything and everything which has to do with labor laws within NYS. www.labor.ny.gov
NYS Online Permit Assistance and Licensing - If you want to start a new business or expand your current business, this site will help you find the New York State business permits you may need. www.nys-opal.com SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” - Main web site which contains many business resources, business templates, examples, and online counseling. www.Score.org Small Business Administra!on – The official SBA web site offering programs and services that will help you start, grow and succeed in business. www.sba.gov US Patent and Trademark Web Site – An agency of the department of commerce. Just about everything you need to know about protec!ng your inven!on and more, can be found on this site. www.uspto.gov
Government Loan Programs - A comprehensive list of all Government loan programs, and how they can financially help you start or grow your business. www.GovLoans.gov Grant Programs – Free lis!ng of all available government grant programs. www.Grants.gov Internet Tools and Resources – Tools needed to get your business on the Internet. Hos!ng, company email accounts, video conferencing, email marke!ng, video hos!ng and more. Build your own website with these tools. SmallBusinessInternetTools.com Septembe r 2 011
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Why Join Your Chamber of Commerce? By Daniel Rea O’Brien, Senior Vice President, Membership Development & Services, Orange County Chamber of Commerce
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ery simply, it ’s good for your business.
What should you do? 1. Find out what your Chamber is all about. What has the organiza on done? Who are the members? Who do you know? 2. Make a commitment in your own mind that when you join, you will make the Chamber as much a part of your business as paying the light bill. This is the key to making your membership successful for your business.
3. Understand that the Chamber of Commerce is the best way for you to get others to know you, like you, trust you and do business with you.
three months of your membership. At that point, you will have friends and a sense of how you can make more business connec ons.
4. Listen carefully to what others have to say about their business and you will discover exactly how your business can help them. The more you know about a business, the greater the opportunity for you to recognize how you can help that business.
6. Take advantage of every free benefit your Chamber offers. 7. Don’t ever forget that the Chamber, like business golf, is a superb business investment. You’ll just have to forgive yourself if you also end up having a good me.
5. Promise yourself to a end at least five mee ngs or events in the first
Mid Hudson Chambers of Commerce Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (845) 454-1700 One Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie NY 12601 www.DutchessCounty RegionalChamber.org Goshen Chamber of Commerce (845) 294-7741 223 Main St. P.O. Box 506 Goshen NY 10924 www.GoshenNyChamber.com Greater Mahopac-Carmel Chamber of Commerce (845) 628-5553 953 South Lake Blvd. Mahopac, NY 10541 www.MahopacCarmelChamber.com Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce (914) 737-3600 1 South Division Street Peekskill, NY 10566 www.hvGatewayChamber.com
New Paltz Chamber of Commerce (845) 255-0243 124 Main Street New Paltz NY 12561 www.NewPaltzChamber.org Orange County Chamber of Commerce (845) 457-9700 30 Sco 's Corners Drive Montgomery, NY 12549 www.OrangeNY.com Rockland Business Associa!on (845) 735-2100 P.O. Box 1567 Pearl River NY 10965 www.RocklandBusiness.org Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce (845) 791-4200 P.O. Box 405 Mongaup Valley NY 12762 www.Catskills.com
The Business Council of Westchester (914) 948-2110 108 Corporate Park Drive, Suite 101 White Plains, NY 10604 www.WestchesterNY.org Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce (845) 338-5100 214 Fair Street Kingston NY 12401 www.UlsterChamber.org Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce (845) 986-2720 P.O. Box 202 Warwick, NY 10990 www.WarwickCC.org
If you’re not a member yet, contact your Chamber and join today!
If You’re Looking to Start a Business, Here is the 7 Step Process... 1) Choose a company name 2) Research and register the domain name for your company 3) Choose company legal entity and file (Sole Prop, Partnership, C Corp, S Corp, LLC, LLP) 16 C hambe r U.b iz
4) Get EIN (Employer Identification Number) 5) Open company bank account 6) Acquire required permits, licenses, and file retail tax collection forms if necessary 7) Advertise your products or services
SCORE can help you. Attend our business workshops. Get a full workshop schedule by visiting www.OrangeNYScore.com. Or call our Orange County Chapter at (845) 457-9700 for a free consultation. Septembe r 2 011