WBOC: Women Business Opportunities Connection News

Interview with Kelly Diemond, Owner of Metal Morphosis, LLC

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 21:12:32 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly Diemond of Metal Morphosis, LLC.

We teach people to confidently create jewelry they are proud to say they made. We make jewelry from scratch, using sheet metal, wire, torches, hammers, and saws. Additionally, we custom-fit and weld "clasp-less" jewelry that stays on permanently.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Kelly: “I was an Administrator at a Non-Profit Agency for 19+ years and wanted more freedom in my life and work. I wanted to get up when I wanted, walk my dog in the mornings, take a break in the middle of the day, and go to a movie. I also had a calling to create things with my hands. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed creating until I was in my 40's! I took a Teacher Training Class to learn how to teach painting classes, which I did for several years on the side before I discovered jewelry making and metalsmithing.

Once I got that hammer in my hands I was hooked!

I gradually phased myself out of my regular job, cutting my hours to part-time to open the studio in 2018 and then eventually resigned (during COVID!) to grow the studio/school into my full-time career.”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Kelly: “We are the only privately owned Metalsmithing School in CNY and we specialize in teaching beginners who have never used a torch or a jeweler's saw. We walk people through the process of making jewelry and offer classes to help them set up their own studio at home. We also offer Date Nights where couples can come in and make rings together and work with couples interested in making their own wedding bands.

With our Permanent Jewelry services, what sets us apart is that we are a jewelry school and use only quality metals. We have a permanent location so you can always find us if you need a re-weld or an adjustment.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Kelly: “Don't be afraid of making mistakes-that is where the learning happens and often the point where people feel they aren't good enough and give up.

In metalsmithing, we always want things to go smoothly, but then we accidentally melt something or can't get a ball to solder in place and we have to figure it out. It's in the creative problem-solving that we learn the most.

There are always options and there are always multiple ways to move forward. Don't give up! Sit back down at the bench, be patient with yourself, and keep practicing and you will get better.”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Kelly: "When I was first thinking about opening a Jewelry School I felt that I really had no business opening a jewelry school because I didn't have a degree in Metalsmithing or Fine Arts.

I believed that maybe I hadn't been making jewelry long enough and didn't have enough skill to teach others the craft.

I spent a good deal of time worrying about not being good enough.

At the same time, I looked into degree programs and I wasn't really interested in learning much of what was being taught in those classes.

What I really wanted was to learn how to make jewelry that I wanted to wear and that I could potentially sell. I didn't want another degree or to go back to college.

It occurred to me that if this is what I wanted, there must be other people out there who also wanted to learn to metalsmith and make jewelry without spending thousands of dollars on a degree program.

Maybe if I tried teaching classes locally, I could test the waters and see how people responded, while at the same time, continuing to grow my skills.

So, I began teaching classes in the community and discovered there was interest and a need for the classes I was offering.

People liked my jewelry and classes and kept asking "Where will you be teaching next? I'd like to take another class."

And that gave me the confidence to take a risk, rent a studio space, and start offering more regular classes.

It's been six years of running the studio/school and we're still going strong!"

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Kelly: “We have an Open House coming up on November 17th where we invite people in to visit our space, shop the work of our students, teachers, and local artisans, partake in free lessons and demos, and win free jewelry and classes. We've been doing this for the last 2 years and we've had a great turnout and lots of positive feedback.”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Kelly: “I love being on the water. We have a boat we keep at Cayuga Lake and there is nothing more relaxing than an evening cruise in the fall when the water is calm and the leaves are changing.”

Contact Details

My business is located in Syracuse, in the former Strathmore Paint Building that's currently under renovation.

Website: www.metalmorphstudio.com
Email: kelly@teachingcreative.com
Business Phone: 315-256-8832
Facebook: @metalmorphstudio
Instagram: @metalmorphstudio
WBOC Profile: https://wboconnection.org/Sys/PublicProfile/49489492/3640459

I encourage you to try your hand at jewelry making, even if you don't "think you're creative." You will likely surprise yourself with what you can do. We offer classes that are just 2-3 hours and you leave with finished pieces or longer 6-week deep dives into the world of Metalsmithing. We also can host private parties for jewelry making or permanent jewelry, where you will take home a tangible memory of your time together. All of our classes and details are posted on our website and change monthly.

Interview with Mandy Webb, Co-Owner of KW Fitness Personal Training

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 09:30:04 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Mandy Webb of KW Fitness Personal Training.

We are exclusively a Personal Training studio that helps non-gym people exercise in a comfortable, non-intimidating environment. We help women and men lose weight and feel better so they can do the things they love with the people they love.

We are not a fitness studio for those who consider themselves "gym rats" or Instagram models. In fact, one of our clients in her 70's who has been with us for over 6 years so graciously put it "I'm so glad I found you. There aren't any sweaty college kids flexing in the mirror. I'm just here to age gracefully".

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Mandy: “My husband Kevin started this business as a solo trainer because he is passionate about helping people live longer, healthier lives. I jumped on board with him in 2017 because I became super tied in with the lives and the people that were being impacted. Now, it is crystal clear that our mission is to provide a sustainable career for Personal Trainers, and to be THE gym for non-gym people to live their healthiest lives!”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Mandy: “Many of our clients have called us the "Cheers" of fitness studios... "where everyone knows your name". We meet each individual right where they're at and help progress them to where they want to go by personalizing each individual's experience, even with our small-group personal training sessions.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Mandy: “Hire a business coach!”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Mandy: “We have been in business for over 10 years and have learned a lot! I would say that one of our biggest challenges was our lack of systems at first. We did pretty well in the very beginning getting people results, but we didn't have solid systems in place so every trainer could duplicate a similar outcome. Some trainers would get better client results than others. We now have a strong culture where we hire those with the right amount of experience, solid education (not just a certification). With ongoing education and communication, our personal trainers can be themselves, make great income, and they don't have a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all program. Through trial & error and investing time & experience into the process, we have a solid system with clear metrics that our team follows that helps to ensure our clients will each get the results they came here for.”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Mandy: “We are working on ramping up our Internship Program for aspiring Personal Trainers and hope to open a 4th location in the Syracuse area in the next 2 years!”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Mandy: “For me personally, I love spending time with my family. We have 4 kids and we have so much fun together. It gets a little chaotic at times (they are ages 1-5), but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I also love singing and playing in the worship band at my church.”

Contact Details
We have 3 locations: Cicero, Fayetteville, and Vestal, NY
Website: kwfitnessny.com
Email: mandy@kwfitnessny.com
Business Phone: 315-400-3252
Facebook: facebook.com/kwfitness315 and facebook.com/kwfitnesscicero
Instagram: @kwfitnessfayetteville and @kwfitnesscicero
WBOC Profile: https://wboconnection.org/Sys/PublicProfile/53669439/3640459

Interview with Lindsay Mastrogiovanni, of Lindsay Mastro, Medium and Mentor

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:42:15 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with the Conscious Coach and Business Strategist Lindsay Mastrogiovanni.

Lindsay is passionate about helping ambitious-yet-overwhelmed leaders to create an intentional life, thriving business, and foster cohesive communities.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Lindsay: “After a 15-year career in HR and Organizational Strategy, and a lifetime in spiritual and mediumistic growth, I became obsessed with the idea of helping other intuitive professionals find a framework for bridging the gap between those two very different worlds of woo and the workplace. I started a side gig to focus on service, coaching and consulting in all things spirituality, HR, and small business startups.

Very quickly, I fell into the opening of Crescent Collective in Liverpool NY where we serve our local community in holistic growth.”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Lindsay: “I help identify each of my client’s specific balance points between spirit and strategy. There is not “one way” to do this because every person's intuitive gifts, skills, experience, and environment is unique. Intuitive leaders and executives need a healthy balance of both conscious and intentional focus and tactical and practical strategy. My team and network helps to build a curated path toward conscious life and leadership.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Lindsay: “No one is going to do your thing the way you do it. There’s no such thing as competition, only opportunities for collaboration. Anyone who presents otherwise is just not your people. Don’t let comparison rob the world of your gifts.”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Lindsay: “The biggest challenge was feeling stuck before making the decision to leave corporate and go out on my own. I had to build up solid support systems in the areas of financing, friends, mentors, and mental health. Most of all I had to believe I was capable of success. I had to talk nice to myself - this is still the hardest part.”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Lindsay: “YES! Coming Summer 2024, Vibed is a conscious leadership development company based in Syracuse where we’ll lead with fun, funky, and growth oriented podcasts for conscious and intuitive leaders. I’ll be hosting a podcast called Ego & Ether which will feature discussions on the intersection of psychology and spirituality.

I’m also undergoing a massive rebrand for all things Lindsay Mastro; Conscious Consortium LLC is a collection of all projects and services new and old surrounding spirit and strategy for individuals and businesses. I’ll be transitioning from Blue Moon Growth Co to Conscious Consortium over the coming months.”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Lindsay: “I absolutely love being in nature and listening to music. As often as I can, I escape to the Adirondacks. At any turn, you can find me listening to Jam Bands, Blues, Motown, or 90s Alternative.”

Contact Details

Website: www.lindsaymastro.com
Instagram: @thelindsaymastro
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaymastro
Business Email: Hello@lindsaymastro.com

If you’re curious about finding your balance between intuition and leadership, start by grabbing a copy of Becoming Conscious in a Corporate World (Without Losing Your Sanity). You can find an Amazon link on my website!

Interview with Elizabeth Conklin, Co-Founder and CEO of Split14 Creative

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 20:03:04 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Elizabeth Conklin of Split14 Creative.

Through Split14's creative marketing services, Elizabeth is passionate about bridging the gap between other marketing firms and small to medium-sized businesses and nonprofits in the Syracuse and CNY region. She believes in an authentic approach to client relationships and intends to be a partner rather than just hired help. With this goal in mind, she cultivates long-term relationships by making a positive impact on Split14's clients and their audiences through impactful marketing strategies.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Elizabeth: “I started graphic design in high school, and though I was by no means an expert, I did win a few design contests and thought this would be a fun job to have. In college, I majored in graphic design and minored in art history, again I needed to figure out what I was going to do once I graduated. However, after graduating and spending many nights spamming my resume and portfolio out to anyone hiring, I got a job at a local advertising agency in Syracuse. I spent a little over 4 years there, learning a lot as a graphic designer, digital marketer, social media manager, etc - you name it I probably did it. Then I wanted to make the transition from an agency to an in-house marketing position, where I was hired at Pinnacle Holding Company as the Marketing & Branding Manager for all of the subsidiaries. My boss, Liz Bartlett, CBDO of Pinnacle, saw me as the missing piece she needed to finally launch our marketing division of Pinnacle, adding another service line to help our business clients and others in CNY. That’s where Split14 Creative was born! The name “Split” indicates that it’s half made up of Liz Bartlett and her years of experience in business development and me (the other Liz) and my experience on the creative side. We bring our expertise together to form a union that has the best of both worlds. And the “14” comes from our age difference! ”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Elizabeth: “We like to think we have a different approach than most when it comes to our relationships with our clients. We believe that we are an extension of their team - a true partner wanting to help them grow their business, market an event, or whatever it is they need help with. We take the time to get to know them, find out what it is they want to get from our partnership and find the best way to make it happen. That’s why we have no standardized pricing or packages. We customize everything to fit the needs of our clients making sure they don’t pay for more than what they need. Not only that, but we have the backing of the Pinnacle brand behind us - we have connections and other resources that can help our clients that they wouldn’t have access to if they didn’t work with Split14.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Elizabeth: “I spoke at a high-school career day recently to future graphic designers and the best piece of advice I could give them on starting college, choosing a major, and career was to not be afraid to put yourself out there. I know it sounds cheesy, but the only way to show others you’re serious about what you’re doing is to actually show them! Whether it’s utilizing social media to post about your projects or submitting work to galleries and shows, the only way to get the right people to notice you is to put yourself out there.”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Elizabeth: “Personally, my biggest professional challenge has been the nagging feeling of “imposter syndrome.” I’m fairly young (turning 30 this year, yikes!), and I can’t believe I’m in the position I’m in with my current role at Pinnacle Holding Co. and Split14 Creative. I feel like I’m too young, why would anyone listen to me as a thought leader in creative marketing when I hardly have the experience as our other competitors? What’s helping me overcome it is seeing the growth and success of our clients through the work we do for them. They show their appreciation for our help, making me feel like - maybe I do know what I’m doing.”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Elizabeth: “This year we are excited to focus on growing our clientele and meeting new people through networking groups such as WBOC. We have seen in our industry, and others we work closely with, that the best marketing you can do for yourself is meeting people face to face and building a relationship with them.”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Elizabeth: “I love to spend my free time outdoors - especially if it’s with our dog, Dacks. My husband and I are avid hikers in the Adirondacks, completing various hiking challenges including becoming 46ers in 2022; we enjoy camping, going to camp at Sandy Pond, and spending the weekend at the beach or on the pontoon boat.”

Contact Details

EConklin@Split14Creative.com
315-295-3800
Split14Creative.com
Info@Split14Creative.com
5845 Widewaters Parkway, Suite 300, East Syracuse, NY 13057
Personal LinkedIn
Split14 LinkedIn
Split14 Facebook
Split14 Instagram
WBOC Profile

Interview with Emily Tills, CEO, Founder, and Lead Dietician of Nourished with Emily, LLC

Devan Robinson — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:42:44 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Emily Tills of Nourished with Emily, LLC.

Emily is passionate about helping busy professional women who struggle to make time for themselves and their health feel confident in their own skin and in the kitchen through nutrition education, counseling and support through the Nourished with Emily nutrition coaching method.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Emily: “As someone who struggled with an eating disorder in high school and now a Registered Dietitian, I have experienced firsthand how others negative words about our bodies and diet culture in the media and on social media place pressures on women to look and be a certain way through restrictive dieting and shaming the eating of some of our favorite foods. I never want to have a woman go through the same struggles I did. I want women to learn how to incorporate their favorite foods into their routine and reach their goals without having to only measure their success off the scale and eat as little as possible.”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Emily: “Nourished with Emily was started a few months after I finished college and has been an online business since it started. We help women reach their goals uniquely through our nutrition coaching and counseling program that focuses on accountability, support, education, and helping our clients get back to their confident selves without having to cut out their favorite foods or spend hundreds of dollars on supplements.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Emily: “Ask for help from those who have been in your shoes, they know what you're looking to achieve and have learned lessons along the way that they can share with you and help you prevent from making those same mistakes. There are tons of resources here locally like through the WISE business center as well as other professionals that are here to help support and guide you. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, asking for help and building a team around you can help.”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Emily: “The hardest part has been making the jump from a soloprenuer to having a team that can help support me. As someone who is a perfectionist and has a vision for everything we do, it was hard at first to add team members to help make change happen in the business and help us grow. Once I was able to hand off projections and expand with support staff, I learned quickly how to be a better communicator to my team and still get the outcomes without my hands in every pot.”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Emily: “This year we are really focused on growing our membership that offers women monthly masterclasses, access to our recipe folder, educational guides and video library as a way that you can have access to nutrition education on various topics every day. We are also excited to start offering small group coaching programs inside of the business for our clients as well as for private companies. Employee wellness is a hot topic and nutrition should be at the center of that conversation. More info on these on our site!”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Emily: “I love to watercolor paint. I used to take art classes daily throughout high school and loved it. My Fiancé got me watercolor paints for Christmas and I've been loving unwinding and painting.”

Contact Details

emilytillsrd@gmail.com

315-552-8811

Website

Facebook

Instagram: @nourishedwithemily

WBOC Profile

Interview with Sheila Dion, Founder and Executive Director of Erin’s Angels of CNY

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:49:29 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Sheila Dion, Founder and Executive Director of Erin’s Angels of CNY. Sheila founded the organization to provide essential resources and support to students facing food insecurity.

The love for what she does comes from the fulfillment she derives in making a tangible difference in the lives of young people. Being able to contribute to a community where individuals can pursue their educational goals without hunger as a barrier is immensely rewarding. Witnessing the positive impact of Erin's Angels on the lives of students fuels her passion and dedication to the cause. Moreover, the joy comes from the sense of community and collaboration that is fostered through this initiative. Working together with volunteers, local businesses, and other organizations to create a supportive network brings a sense of unity and shared purpose.

The love for this work is also rooted in the belief that through Erin's Angels of CNY, we are not just addressing an immediate need but also fostering a sense of empowerment and resilience within the student community. By providing resources and support, we are contributing to a foundation that enables students to overcome challenges and thrive in their academic journey.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, or begin in this line of work?

Sheila: “I was inspired to start Erin’s Angels when I worked in the food service department at the Phoenix Central School District and saw the need with so many children who were hungry. I witnessed firsthand the significant number of students facing food insecurity and I was inspired by their resilience and motivated to make a difference. I believe that every student deserves the opportunity to focus on their education without the burden of hunger. The prevalence of food insecurity among students is a pressing issue that I am determined to tackle, recognizing its impact on academic success and overall quality of life. ”

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Sheila: “While many programs focus solely on the school year, we're proud to be a year-round advocate for ending hunger in our community! At Erin's Angels, our commitment doesn't stop when the school year ends. We recognize that hunger doesn't take a break, so neither do we. Our programs run throughout the entire year, ensuring continuous support for families facing food insecurity.”

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Sheila: “Talk to everyone about what your mission and passion is. Keep putting your dreams and goals out to the universe! And never, ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do it!!!”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Sheila: “The challenge of going from a lunch lady to nonprofit executive director is certainly a hurdle! I had to learn how to navigate the legal requirements, develop a clear mission and vision, create a strategy for fundraising and sustainability, and effectively develop a board. Just to name a few!”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Sheila: “Our partnership with the Upstate Foundation is the most exciting venture we have right now. This collaboration aims to ensure the perpetuity of our mission. The partnership opens doors to sustainable funding, expanded outreach, and the ability to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Sheila: “I love to travel. It is so fun waking up in one city and going to sleep in another on the same day. It is also my way of collecting moments, not things, and embracing the incredible diversity that makes our world so beautifully complex. It's a journey that continually fuels my passion for life.”

Contact Details

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
WBOC Profile
Erin’s Angels of CNY
219 County Route 57
Phoenix, NY 13135
315-934-0181

Interview with Karen Kwasnowski, Mindset Coach

Devan Robinson — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:35:05 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with mindset coach Karen Kwasnowski. Karen is passionate about helping individuals create more connection and meaning in their relationships. Whether Karen is working with a busy working mom who wants to be more present for her children, an individual navigating the complexities of an intimate relationship, or someone who wants to foster better communication, Karen’s expertise is tailored to address a range of relationship dynamics.

Karen especially loves witnessing the transformative moments when a client recognizes their role in an undesirable relationship dynamic and realizes they have the power to effect positive change. Karen often gets emails from her clients the day after a coaching session excitedly saying, “you’re not going to believe what happened!” and they share how the other person showed up in a way that was different and easier than before. It’s amazing the impact we can have on others when we change our part of the relationship dynamic.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

Karen: For most of my life I struggled with social anxiety. I wanted to connect with people but I had no idea how. So I embarked on a journey to learn how to relate and communicate. I studied, trained, worked with coaches, and earned certifications all to help myself in the beginning. Once I experienced the power of transforming myself and my ability to connect with others, I wanted to share everything I learned to help other people break free from the struggle. I feel so privileged and honored to get to work with people in such a transformative way.

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Karen: There are a few things that set my business apart from others in my industry. My focus is helping a client be authentic, present, and empowered. Knowing who you are, what is important to you, and how to be fully present with another are key ingredients to connection. It sounds so simple but it can be quite difficult to put into practice without consistent support from someone who sees the best in you.

I also know how easy it is to blame the other person or blame themselves when someone is struggling to connect. I take a stand for my client, for the other person, and their relationship. I believe we are all doing the best we can based on what we currently know and my job is to help someone get past blame and focus on the things that will help them get the results they truly want.

I also believe that we all have our own best answers. My job isn’t to give advice or share my personal experiences. My job is to help you learn how to observe your mind and discern what is true and most beneficial for you and your relationships.

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Karen: Feeling uncomfortable means you are up to something important to you. It’s part of the journey. You don’t need to wait for things to feel comfortable before you take the next step.

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Karen: My biggest professional challenge is asking for support. I’m still in the process of overcoming it. I spent most of my life believing I was on my own and had to do everything myself so the thought rarely occurs to me to reach out to others. Whenever I work with my coach and she cocks her eyebrow at me I laugh and say “Oh! I can ask for support with this”. Recognizing it is half the battle.

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Karen: I have a series of workshops coming up for the new year to help people create more inspiring goals instead of the usual New Year’s resolutions.

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Karen: I love mountain biking, camping, hiking, dancing, and going on adventures with my family because I love to play, be outside, and move my body.

Contact Details

https://yourrelationshiplife.com/

315-459-1515
Address: Marcellus, NY is where I am physically located, but my business is mostly virtual
karen@yourrelationshiplife.com
LinkedIn
WBOC Profile

Interview with Anna Kinney, Proprietess of Anna With Intention and co-founder of Fay Flower Farm

Devan Robinson — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:06:21 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Anna Kinney, the proprietess of Anna With Intention and co-founder of Fay Flower Farm, located in Hannibal, NY. Anna shared with us her passion for helping women who are tired of living with the programming of toxic patriarchy and who are ready to release harmful inherited belief systems so they can confidently step into their right place of power and love as a divinely appointed guide for the new paradigm! And she grows flowers.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

Anna: I started Anna With Intention because of how much internal and external healing I have received through the modalities I practice. The journey has been so profound and I am passionate about helping others find the same healing and inner peace that I have.

My husband and I started Fay Flower Farm along with our partner Gabriella Gauger because we love growing flowers and community that is bound by the healing power of beauty. We are building spaces for hosting events, weddings, workshops and education that are centered around sustainability, regeneration and love.

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Anna: I blend a lifetime of knowledge, experience, coaching and healing modalities to create a personalized path toward healing and deconditioning to help you uncover your truth. When more of us are listening to and following the wisdom our soul is always communicating to us through our bodies, we can thwart the patriarchal over-culture and bring about aligned change and balance to the planet.

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Anna: You already know more than the average person when it comes to what you are in business around. Trust in yourself. When you feel self-doubt, know that it is telling you that you are heading in the right direction.

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Anna: Giving voice to my “big why” and clarifying my mission. It can be so hard to see your own gifts and talents. So I am leaning into my own Human Design chart to help me become clear on the profound way I impact others by being authentic, maintaining a high emotional frequency and sharing my unique practical solutions that blend the myriad life experiences I have had.

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Anna: I am always working on bringing practical ways to use Human Design and energetics in life through workshops and 1:1 work. And I am getting my next level of certification in the Quantum Alignment System this winter. To stay up to date on any new offerings or events, following me on IG is the best.

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Anna: This past year, I discovered the thrill of Mountain biking. It pushes my perception of my physical limits and it is a new way for me to experience being in an active flow state.

Contact Details

Email is best: Annawithintention@gmail.com

http://annawithintention.love/

Facebook page

Instagram

Linktr

Interview with Devan Robinson, Exorcist of Negative Self Talk

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 18:09:38 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Devan Robinson of Developing with Devan.

She is passionate about helping you realize your true brilliance, even during those times when you might not see it yourself. Her wide array of services is designed to equip clients with the transformative tools and strategies necessary to unlock their full potential. With a mission rooted in empowerment, she is committed to guiding you on your personal journey towards greater clarity and unwavering confidence.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

Devan: "During my previous career, I observed a recurring pattern: women consistently held themselves back. What prevented them from reaching their full potential were the negative thoughts they held onto and the absence of consistent support in their lives. I decided that it was time to do something about that.

I began by researching and understanding the issues that were preventing women from achieving their goals. I discovered that a lack of self-confidence, fear of failure, and a lack of resources were major impediments to growth. It became clear to me that I had to take action and create an organization focused on helping women overcome these obstacles."

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Devan: “Developing with Devan is truly unique in our approach to empowering individuals. Unlike other businesses that offer generic solutions, we take a personalized approach to every client, tailoring our services to their specific needs and goals. We believe that everyone has unique strengths, and our mission is to help our clients realize and make the most of those strengths. By providing transformative tools and strategies, we empower individuals to unlock their full potential and become the best version of themselves. We are passionate about what we do, and we won't stop until each and every one of our clients feels confident, clear, and empowered”.

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Devan: “You DO NOT need to know everything or have your life perfectly figured out before you can start your own business.”

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Devan: “Boldly embracing my authentic self has been the greatest challenge in both my personal and professional life. The fear of rejection, hurting others feelings, and receiving negative feedback on my opinions held me back. Which is why this is now the barrier I aim to shatter for others. To solve this issue for myself I enlisted the guidance of a coach and mentor, delved into and shattered my limiting beliefs, and crafted a process to assist others in achieving the same.”

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Devan: “Yes, I have my 3rd annual Women's Self-Development Conference coming up on September 29-October 1 in Syracuse NY at the Collegian Hotel. We are spending 42 hours on ourselves, prioritizing our self-growth and refocusing on our most important project: OURSELVES. This year's theme is "It Starts with You" and our sessions will focus on all aspects of personal growth: career building, financial literacy, emotional well-being, healthy relationships and lifestyle balance. I'm so excited to bring together a community of women who are ready to become their best selves! I look forward to seeing you there! You can grab your ticket at bit.ly/elevatesyracuse2023”

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Devan: “My off time is spent with my family, writing my fiction fantasy novel, and re-organizing my house. I enjoy having different tasks every day, I'm not big on doing the same thing all the time. Variety is my favorite!”

Contact Details
Developingwithdevan.com
315-775-8451
Address: Watertown, NY is where I am physically located, but my business is mostly virtual
devan@developingwithdevan.com
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
WBOC Profile

Interview with Adrienne Peltz of Forge Gone Conclusions

Wed, 17 May 2023 17:05:21 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Adrienne Peltz of Forge Gone Conclusions, a custom, fine jeweler for creating memories through one-of-a-kind pieces for you or your loved one, based in Skaneateles, NY.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

Adrienne: Having been an engineer and project manager for over 12 years, I was ready for a change when I lost my traditional job during the pandemic. My husband had always wanted to start a jewelry business, and I had the experience of working in the corporate world. So, when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped in with both feet.

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Adrienne: You co-design and we manufacture. That means that you get to help create the design -- whether it is a traditional jewelry piece using round stones in traditional settings all the way to out of the box ideas such as a cardinal ring, bumblebee ring, or even creating a ring from an old bayonet. Even more, we will make a personalized video of how your piece was made. So, if it is a birthday present, we can include any text such as "Happy Birthday" and a photo of the recipient.

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Adrienne: Mindset is fundamental to your success. You have to believe in and be fully committed to what you are undertaking. I have learned from many others that you have to spend a lot of time on mindset in order to be successful.

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Adrienne: Even with some failures, there are opportunities to learn from them. When we first started displaying at tables and fairs, our very early events had low attendance, and not many people were interested. But we learned from each of those events and were able to improve significantly over time.

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Adrienne: Each project is unique and represents the person who is going to receive the piece. Definitely check out our portfolio page to see all the past creations – https://fgconclusions.com/shop/

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Adrienne: My favorite activity is going outside during the day. Working a traditional job, it was hard to get outside, but with our flexible schedule, we are able to take a break in the afternoon to enjoy the outdoors!

Contact Details:
www.fgconclusions.com
(315) 209-2982
support@fgconclusions.com
27 Fennell St Ste B #263
Skaneateles, New York 13152 USA

Join Our Forge Circle: https://fgconclusions.com/join-our-email-list/

Our YouTube Channel
WBOC profile

Interview with Dr. Tina Chee, Founder and Owner of Updesign Primary Care, LLC

Devan Robinson — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:49:04 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Tina Chee, a physician and the founder of Updesign Primary Care, LLC, a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice located in Syracuse, NY. Dr. Chee shared with us her passion for providing high-quality, personalized care to her patients, and how her DPC model differs from traditional primary care practices.

Q: What inspired you to start your business?

Dr. Chee: I wanted to build a practice where I could spend enough time with each patient to address their individual needs and provide the high-quality care I would want myself. I didn't want to rush patients in and out of the exam room, only to barely scratch the surface of their concerns. DPC provides the opportunity to provide more personalized and individualized care, and by eliminating overly burdensome administrative checkboxes like coding, billing, and prior authorizations, I can focus more of my resources on patient care.

Q: Can you describe what sets your business apart from others in your industry?

Dr. Chee: DPC patients are one of a few hundred instead of one of several thousand. By removing the middlemen, DPC puts the focus of the relationship back between patients and their doctors. In DPC, an affordable monthly membership gets you better appointment access, extended visit times (30-60 minutes), direct communication access (text, email, or call), and virtually unlimited scheduled appointments for wellness counseling, physical, chronic disease management, scheduled sick visits, and much more. This allows us to work on fully optimizing your health and wellness through lifestyle changes, so that you can feel at your best self and potentially reduce the number of medications necessary. Membership gets you deeply discounted pricing for in-office medications and treatments. Membership also includes access to a generic medication formulary.

Q: What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?

Dr. Chee: Just get started - take a small step every day, eventually those steps become easier. Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith and pursue your passion.

Q: What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?

Dr. Chee: More and more corporations are trying to replace physicians with non-physician practitioners, and by allowing non-physicians to practice more independently, and patients are being put at risk. A huge challenge for me has been seeing patients being misled, not realizing people in white coats who call themselves "doctors" and "specialists" may not be physicians, and seeing patients being told incorrect medical information by non-physicians, including incorrect workup, medication adjustments, vaccine recommendations, overprescribing antibiotics and steroids.

In addition to reporting these issues and educating my patients to be aware of them, I became an active member of Physicians for Patient Protection, which educates about the importance of physician-led care for all patients and advocates for truth and transparency regarding healthcare practitioners. I would encourage people to read the book "Patients At Risk" for more information on this topic as well.

Q: Any exciting news, future plans, or projects you are working on or would like to announce?

Dr. Chee: I'm starting a walking group and other health issue support groups this year. The details are still being finalized, but I'm excited to provide my patients with more opportunities to connect with others and improve their overall health and wellbeing.

Q: What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

Dr. Chee: Playing with my dog Jasper - he's a bullboxer mix rescue - and taking care of my houseplants. Both activities help me unwind and destress after a long day at the office.

Contact Details

www.updesignprimarycare.com

812 State Fair Blvd, Suite 2A

Syracuse, NY 13209

315.256.0490

info@updesignprimarycare.com

Meet Michele Rochkind from Heritage Café

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:13:45 GMT

In two sentences, what does your business do?

Heritage Café is a locally run and owned café that specializes in sandwiches, salads, pastries, and of course espresso and coffee. We are committed to exceptional customer service that matches the quality of our products.

Where is your business located?

We are located at 614 South Crouse Ave Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13210. We are on the ground floor of a large apartment building.

What inspired you to start your business?

My family owns the building that Heritage is located in, as well as, other rental properties in the area and while I didn't want to join that portion of the business I did want to stay close to family. As a result, Heritage Café became my version of my heritage.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

One thing that really stood out to me was the bank was shocked I had created a business plan.
Apparently, it is a rarity that people come to the bank with a prepared course of action, facts, and figures to support why they believe their business will succeed and why the bank should give them money to invest in themselves. Making my business plan took me months. I researched all "competition", gathered number for construction and equipment, and made plans for hiring employees amongst other things. While securing funding I was also using my own capital to construct my business. The kitchen I took over had 100% seen better days and was in no way health code compliant and the café itself was a big white box with no counters, walls, sinks, or anything. In the end it took me a little over a year and a half to get everything ready and open Heritage's doors.

How is your business different from the competition?

Our location is partially what makes us different. On the SU hill there is an abundance of pizzerias, Asian options, and chains such as Five Guys and Chipotle. Our fare is sandwiches, salads, pastries, etc. If you want pizza or Chinese, you aren't going to come to us. We are also one of the few healthier options around the area and our customer service cannot be beat so that is how we have attracted and retained our amazing customer base.

What's your best piece of advice for someone just starting out?
What has been your biggest life challenge and how did you overcome it?

My biggest life challenge was when my mother was struck and killed by an elderly driver in March 2020. Not only was my mother my best friend and mentor, but she was my biggest cheerleader especially when it came to Heritage. Less than a week after her death the world shut down due to COVID-19. Heritage's entire customer base disappeared overnight. Syracuse University and ESF students were sent home, university, doctor and hospital administration employees were told to work from home, and the hospitals stopped letting employees out for food. My entire world had just blown to pieces. I made the difficult decision to close Heritage as quickly as possible to get all of my employees on unemployment. Heritage was closed for exactly 5 months. During that time I tried to grieve, but it was odd since everyone in the world was grieving some sort of loss. Re-opening Heritage gave me purpose. I know it was what my mother would want me to do and if she were still alive she would have been right along with me scrubbing the entire place, but let me tell you opening a restaurant is hard enough the first time, but doing it twice? Ugh. Let's never do that again. Thankfully, we did re-open and have been slowly regaining our customer base back. I will keep fighting not only for my mother, but for my awesome employees who are also my little family as well.

What's your favorite non-business activity and why?

I love to travel. My mom and I have been all around to world together and honestly I feel most at home in an airport, or on a plane. If you talk to anyone in my family apparently I took my first steps in MCO Orlando airport. There is something about experiencing a new place and a new culture that is so exciting. If I had to pick a favorite trip I would say our trip to South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The people were so welcoming, the food amazing, and of course the animals on safari were spectacular. I can't wait to bring my own children back some day.

Public Contact information (include website, social media links, phone, email, address, etc)

Michele Rochkind, www.heritagecafe.com, www.facebook.com/heritagecafesyr, www.instagram.com/heritagecafesyr , (315) 303-1675, michelerochkind@heritagecafe.com, 614 South Crouse Ave, Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13210

Heritage Cafe (@heritagecafesyr) • Instagram photos and videos

738 Followers, 539 Following, 715 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Heritage Cafe (@heritagecafesyr)

www.instagram.com

Heritage Cafe - Home - Syracuse, New York - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews - Facebook

Heritage Cafe, Syracuse, New York. 410 likes · 8 talking about this · 347 were here. Our cafe features handcrafted espresso beverages, paninis, sandwiches, and salads. Soon all of our pastries will...

www.facebook.com

Breakfast | Lunch | Coffee & Espresso | Homemade Pastries | Catering

Cafe in Syracuse, NY serving warm breakfast sandwhichs, fresh salads and sandwhiches for lunch, coffee and espresso drinks & homemade pastries.

www.heritagecafe.com

Three Women Entrepreneurs - Inspiring Stories

Anne Notarthomas — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Amy Doyle, Devan Robinson and Kathy Adams taking questions at the WBOC June Program

The Women Business Opportunities Connection June meeting is always inspiring. WBOC ends their program year with an Encouraging Entrepreneurs event. On Wednesday, June 1st, three women shared their entrepreneurial journey.

Devan Robinson - Focus on Positivity

Devan Robinson is a military spouse who recently began her business, Developing with Devan, while her husband is stationed at Fort Drum. Devan shared how she used her own self-talk and challenges to help other women address their self-talk and challenges with focus and positivity.

Devan has authored a book entitled What’s Your Worth and I don’t mean money.

She hosted a Women’s Summit in 2021 and plans another in 2022. She encouraged women to celebrate their successes and be kind to themselves.

Amy Doyle - Stretching and Persistence

Amy Doyle shared her journey as a serial entrepreneur. Amy is naturally introverted and had to practice just speaking with new people.

After developing a successful financial services firm with her husband, Amy went to graduate school to begin a new career that reflected her interest in medicine and wellness. Now a certified functional nutritionist and owner of White Stone Wellness Functional Nutrition, Amy helps people sort through the confusion of labels and diets to move toward personal wellness. Recently, Amy has added medical writing to her portfolio.

She learned to stretch at every step of her career.

She reminded attendees that we need to move outside of our comfort zone in order to move to the next step in our careers and our lives.

Kathy Adams - From Corporate to Boutique Consulting Environment

Kathy Adams did not begin Cognitif Consulting Group until later in her career. Her first graduate degree was in Training and Development, which positioned her to design and deliver learning systems in industrial settings and helped to improve the bottom line at multiple companies.

Kathy shared how her experiences working in traditionally male-dominated industries helped develop confidence in herself and her abilities.

Today, Kathy is a certified team and professional coach. Working in collaboration with other women entrepreneurs, she has finally realized her dream of working in a small, boutique consulting environment with like-minded colleagues.

She emphasized the value of organizations such as WISE and WBOC in building connections and sharing support with other women entrepreneurs.

Three different stories linked by one theme – women doing more than expected and doing it well. Do more. Expect more. You can do it!

This was originally posted in the WBOC blog.

Meet a Member- Jen Liddy

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 15:57:10 GMT

What does my business do: Showing personal brands how to EASE-ify content marketing & do it in a way that feels GOOD, so their content does the heavy lifting to grow their business for them?

Inspiration: Seeing how many brilliant, highly-qualified small business owners are out there with an incredible expertise, but struggling to market themselves simply & effectively. It doesn’t have to be SO HARD. We get to do it our way - we get to design & run our businesses - and that requires us to see where we want to go, know ourselves, and take baby steps every day.

How I started: I left a high school & college teaching career to start a fitness studio with two partners. After learning “how to do business" from the inside out (and making every mistake possible), I decided wanted to help other entrepreneurs stop banging into the wall & start seeing traction from their efforts. So I jumped out of the fitness world and into the business coaching realm, and I’ve honed my expertise to focus specifically on making content easy for you!

How I’m different: There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for creating content and “doing” marketing. It’s imperative that we find OUR voice, speak to OUR audience, and do it in a style that works for OUR personality! So instead of a “here’s the RIGHT” way strategy, I show people how to design a “THEIR WAY” strategy. Especially when it comes to content marketing: if it doesn’t feel good to you or right for you, it won’t be sustainable for you!

Advice: Find a welcoming community of other entrepreneurs. Ask questions. Don’t try to DO everything. Take care of yourself and take a break (because there’s ALWAYS work to be done.) Most importantly, hire help before you think you need it. Too often we wait until we’re burned out to get help. Need an assistant? Start by hiring one for 2-3 hours a week. It will change your life.

Biggest Life Challenge: Overworking. I did it as a teacher. I did it as a fitness studio owner. I’ve done it as a business coach. I’m on a mission to integrate ease & relaxation into my entrepreneurial life, because as much as I know that working hard is important, it’s not everything. The work will ALWAYS be there. Taking time to rest, relax, and take care of my health - oh, yeah, and have fun too - is a goal I have to be very intentional about.

Favorite Non-Business Activity: Traveling. I try to get out of town at least once a month, especially now that life is much more open again for moving about the world!

Info:

www.jenliddy.com
315-430-0456
Syracuse, NY
Https://www.facebook.com/jenliddycoach
Https://www.instagram.com/jenliddycoach

Https://www.jenliddy.com/podcast

jen_liddy@me.com

Program Follow Up - Recap

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:23:00 GMT

We kicked off our 2020/2021 Program Year with a much-needed inspirational & positive presentation by member Cindy Ormond.

Photography by Courtney Seamans of Sweetly Grown Photography

In 2020, Cindy was about to have the best year of her LIFE! She…

Made plans to grow her entertainment business…

Had finally put herself on the LIST of things to take care of…

Was going to celebrate her 50^th birthday on an amazing cruise, then spend a week in Italy.

In other words, she’d gotten all her ducks in a row…

And then…well, you know what happened. The same thing that happened to all of us.

COVID. It forced her to stop. Look around. Take a breath – and because she literally had no choice – she had to stop working on weekends.

She started sleeping. Cooking. Meditating. Being unscheduled made Cindy realize she was missing out on so much because her business was ALWAYS in a busy season.

She could finally see her favorite people…

Go floating down the river with her brother –

Spent time with family she NEVER gets to see.

But HOW is she so happy? Even though all this good news is happening – isn’t her business being decimated killing her?

NO. She’s figured out that – though it sounds cliché – there’s more to happiness for her than financial success ever could bring her.

She has happiness hormones coursing through her body now. She’s engaging in activities that bring her great JOY -

Her secret sauce? A book called The Art of Extreme Self Care. And Cindy shared a guide she uses in her daily decisions about what’ll make her happy – even in times of great trouble. (See it at the end of this email)

WBOC’s theme this year is EVOLVE – we are all adapting right now. The journey we are on is constantly changing.

But are we happy? Are we energized? Are we filled up?

We want to help you stay filled up, energized, and happy – so we hope that even during this incredibly difficult time, you’ll join us for our next month’s program:

BECAUSE IT’S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE.

Keynote Speaker Cheryl Wood will teach us how to Unleash the Profitable Power of Our Voice!

Come for the regular Weds, October 7th Program & learn a ton – and if you can swing it, join us for the follow-up workshop on Thursday!

Both are included for Members! Non-Members & guests are welcome - $40 for both days; $25 for Weds only.

The power of your story is one only you can tell – and knowing how to harness it will help you grow your business and impact more people in the world!

See you there – and please share this workshop with your friends & colleagues…

~Your WBOC Board

Amy Doyle, President
Dianne Rizzo, Vice President
Anne Notarthomas, Treasurer
Rhonda Cabrinha, Secretary
Jen Liddy, Marketing Director
Tracee Young Orzech, Membership Director
Elizabeth Allen, Programs Director
Cindy Ormond, Director at Large

You might not wanna talk about this

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 00:30:00 GMT

Something’s going on that’s moving faster than anyone can keep up with!

Cyber Security.

Here’s the highlights of what we learned about it at our last meeting - in case you missed it OR need a reminder to take some action.

First of all…thank you to Dawn Lanouette & Stacey Axtell from Hinman, Howard & Kattell.

These incredible experts generously shared their time & deep knowledge about how to protect our businesses.

Honestly, we cannot cover all that we learned in this email...But there are a few shifts you can make right now!

FYI: Ineffective protections can cost you in a big way, even if you’re a small-to-medium businesses. The average loss is ~ $2500. The highest ransom paid in a data breach? $950K - and that didn’t even include data recovery!

So! A couple things you can do right now for yourself:

Take your birthday of Facebook today. (Yes, seriously!) At the very least, take off your birth YEAR. And PRO TIP - stop posting your vacations while you’re on vacation!!

Use reasonable measures to protect you and your clients: Password protect EVERYTHING - phone - desktop - files.

Level up passwords! Stop using your kids’ names & birthdays (Are you guilty of that?!) and change ‘em regularly -

Have a plan in place that your team is trained in: a standard of conduct, clear policies, and a roadmap will help everyone know what to do in a breach. Prevent yourself from having to deal with everything all at once!

Sound overwhelming? BREATHE! And seriously, don’t try to do this yourself. There’s PEOPLE to help you!

Thank you again to Stacey & Dawn! Use their brilliance to help you plan & save yourself from the headache of a Cyber Attack!

~Your WBOC Board

PS: See you at our next meeting, when we’re celebrating 100 years of women having the right to vote! Register here - and bring a young woman who you’d love to celebrate with!

If you’re looking for…

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 15:36:08 GMT

2020 is here - which is perfect because our 1^st program of the year was all about CLARITY -

Clarity on where to get support for our businesses right here in CNY!

Here’s the quick recap to help you get what YOU need this year!

If you’re looking for…

Free, confidential business counseling to help start & grow your business, then seek out the Small Business Development Center! The SBDC can point you in the right direction if you have questions, need funding, or are curious about MWBE certification! A big thank you to Joan Powers for sharing your experience & expertise!

Connections with women from all over the region to expand your network and your marketplace, then check out Women Ties! Tracy Higgenbotham’s mission is to promote & publicize women in business to create strong economic relationships. Thank you, Tracy, for your commitment to helping women grow at any stage of their business!

Effective leadership development & training, then Gwen Webber McLeod of Gwen, Inc. is someone to connect with! Gwen says, “Whenever women gather, great things always happen” - that’s why her mission is to support women on the rise, developing leadership skills to achieve success! Gwen was a delightful & entertaining facilitator, helping us sort through these CNY resources - thank you, Gwen!
Encouraging support & collaboration from women at all stages of business, then WBOC is a fantastic resource for you. WBOC is designed for women who see the value of networking in the local area - to collaborate and grow a business together! Thanks to WBOC President, Amy Doyle for your work in the organization and participation in the panel discussion!

Navigate the complex world of building a business, then get thee to WISE (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship)! Director Meghan Florkowski is committed to creating an encouraging environment where women can learn the ropes & get started with unique programs built for the emerging entrepreneur! We so appreciate Meghan’s excitement & participation to share WISE’s mission.

Strategic networking & collaboration with & for minority entrepreneurs & business owners, then you MUST check out UMEA. Me’Shae Rollins, Interim Executive Director, brought her vast experience & knowledge to the room - explaining how UMEA provides huge value to its members by harnessing the economic power of minority business owners! Thank you Me’Shae for sharing your passion & expertise!

We encourage you to explore the resources available - and bring that friend or colleague with you who’s looking to grow her business too!

See you next month on Weds, Feb 5^th when we’re discussing how to keep your business Cyber Secure - no matter what kind of business you own! Register here now -Cyber security... Should we be concerned? Informed? Yes!

Happy 2020!

Your WBOC Board

Recap of Our October Program: Uncover the Hidden Roadblocks to Success

Anne Notarthomas — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 22:30:40 GMT

Have you ever been held back from a goal you’re dying to achieve?

Maybe you want to publish a book but somehow never carve out the time to write those daily pages.

Or you want to hire a manager - because it’ll make life so much easier - but you never make the time to write the job description or start interviewing candidates.

It’s kind of like driving with one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake - we get nowhere!

If this reminds you of you, don’t worry - you’re not alone! Dr. Christine Allen - our October Program Facilitator - taught us to stop judging ourselves about these patterns…

And how to start taking action!

Dr. Allen helped us dive into what’s underneath our choices…what’s really keeping us from our goals?

What unseen, invisible commitments do we have to staying where we are right now?

For example - maybe you want to write that book, but you have a deep, hidden commitment to staying safe. And becoming a public figure doesn’t feel “safe”.

So - you never take action…because we all have an “immunity to change”. It’s subconscious.

But we do have the power to change our subconscious beliefs.

It was deep and it was gooooood! And many at the meeting saw ourselves in a new light that evening!

If you missed the program, we missed you! Dr. Allen has generously shared the handouts from that night; access them here.

And learn more about her work on Facebook.

Lastly: Don’t miss next month when we take our ONE Big Goal, our ASSUMPTIONS, and learn how to fast track our success with ACCOUNTABILITY!

How to Achieve that ONE BIG Goal

Anne Notarthomas — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 13:51:47 GMT

Were you one of the 60+ magnetic, engaged women our last meeting? If so, how are your goals coming along?

AND! If you missed our September program, we missed YOU!

Let’s catch you up…

September’s program, You Haven’t Come This Far to Only Come This Far: What’s Your Next Step, helped us each create a personalized plan to achieve ONE BIG GOAL that’s been chasing us for a while.

Each of us left the room having outlined our personal Micro-Steps showing us HOW to make our goal a reality!

GOOD NEWS in case you missed it - or want to take yourself through the exercise again!

Jen Liddy, our presenter, recorded the training & gave WBOC members access to it and the accompanying handout. Find it at www.jenliddy.com/wboc.

The best part? Our October program picks up right where Jen left off - with Dr. Chris Allen helping us Uncover the Hidden Roadblocks to Success: Accomplishing Your Next Big Thing.

Chris, Workplace Psychologist & Executive Coach, will help you create a personalized road-map to uncover your hidden roadblocks and move your business forward in this interactive workshop!

Remember - first time guests are only $10 - so bring a friend or colleague you know would love this topic. Register here.

See you in October!

Recap of Our June 2019 Annual Meeting

Anne Notarthomas — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 20:06:49 GMT

Thanks to everyone who attended our last meeting, and if you weren’t there - we missed you! Here’s what happened so you can use the awesome gems that were shared that night.

Wednesday, June 5th was our Annual Meeting, where we spotlighted the journey of some incredible women among our membership!

Four women shared stories of what they’ve learned as successful business women.

	Theresa Cangemi, longtime entrepreneur, owns Medicare Made Simple. She clarified the vital nature of building relationships. One tip she shared was how far the simple gesture of a thank you can go, bringing her referral after referral, and keeping her business vibrant.
	Belinda Porter shared her journey of becoming a sexuality & relationship coach in her business Heat Effect Life Coaching, Inc. She shared the bravery it took for her to turn into who she’s become - and we were all blown away by her vulnerability & authenticity! She reminds us to be who you are in your business.
	Melissa Killeleagh, of Arbonne International, reminded us of how when we show up for our community, it’s like compounding interest! Consistent action in alignment with who we are is what makes us successful. Keep moving forward and be yourself was her take-home message.
	Michelle Wolfenden, owner of Wolfenden Law Firm, PLLC grew her business intentionally, with her busy mom as her role model. Michelle learned that anything can be done, if you plan for it and work around obstacles! She encouraged us to integrate our priorities so that we can create the business of our dreams.

Thank you to each of our speakers for your effort in reminding us all that we can handle anything because there is nothing a determined woman cannot do!

We’ll miss you this summer as we take a break from scheduled meetings, but we look forward to seeing you back on the first Wednesday of September. Get September 4^th, 4:30 - 6:30 in your calendar now!

Happy Summer!
Jen Liddy
Marketing Director

Nonprofit Information from Connecting through Philanthropy January Program

Anne Notarthomas — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 22:16:57 GMT

Sharon Owens, Deputy Mayor of the City of Syracuse, speaking to WBOC about the importance of Nonprofits in Syracuse

Our January 2019 Program, Connecting through Philanthropy, received an overwhelmingly positive response from our membership. WBOC is a volunteer organization and we depend on our membership’s generous spirits. Each one of you brings something special to the organization with your time, talent, and treasure.

There was lots of positive energy in the room and we are grateful to everyone who attended. Many of you asked for the contact information for the Non-Profit Organizations that were present at the January program. We are happy to share that with you below. It is humbling to know how many of our members actively work to make the world a better place.

This list is a work in progress. We thank you for your patience as we wait to hear back from a few of our Non-Profit friends. We will send out an email when the list is complete.

Erin’s Angels
P.O. Box 443
Phoenix, New York 13135
Erinsangels.com

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Connie DeShaies at cdeshaies@phoenixcsd.org or at 315-409-9293

Needs:
Time: Volunteers needed to distribute lunches
Talent: A CPA founding Board Member
Treasure: Donations for Raffles

The KEYS Program
308 Sherrill Road, Suite 100
Sherrill, NY 13461
315-363-6446
www.theKEYSprogram.org

Primary Contact to Volunteer:Colleen Bennett at colleen@thekeysprogram.org or at 315-363-6446

Needs:
Time: Committee members, special event volunteers
Talent: Marketing, Website Design, Hospital/Site Partnership Coordination, KEYS Family Outreach
Treasure: Seeking grants, donors, sponsors and individual donations

JDRF - Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
6320 Fly Road, Suite 104
East Syracuse, New York 13057
315-453-9327
Jdrf.org

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Dara Harper at dharper@jdrf.org

Needs:
Time: Become an advocate for Type 1 Diabetes
Talent: JDRF is a fundraising organization, contact Dara Harper for more information
Treasure: Attend one of JDRF’s signature fundraising events

It’s About Childhood & Family

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Michael Gilbert Psy.D. at mgilbert@iacaf.org
315-382-0541

Needs:
Time: looking for new board and committee members
Talent: Architect, CPA, lawyer, marketing/social media, illustrators (we are writing some children's books to raise funds), artists/musicians
Treasure: we are raising funds to provide free yoga to children/families throughout Central NY and for community center project (building/renovations/etc)

The MOST
500 South Franklin Street
Syracuse, New York 13202
315-425-9068
MOST.org

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Emily Stewart at 315-425-9068 ext. 2146

Needs:
Time: School Programs for Grade K, which will begin in early March (Monday and Tuesday mornings) and continue until mid-May, and Special Events volunteers
Talent: Friendly faces to greet visitors, School Program Aids, Summer Camp Aids and many more opportunities

Visit Most.org/support to learn more about how to support the organization.

CNY Diaper Bank
cnydiaperbank.org/volunteer

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Michela Hugo is the founder and president. Her email is michela@cnydiaperbank.org

Needs:
Time: Volunteers for wrapping diapers as well as getting diapers ready for delivery to partnering agencies, ie, Samaritan Center, Vera House, etc. Volunteer opportunities during weekday AM’s and some evenings, as well as Saturday AM. Also need people to brainstorm for fundraising events.

United Way
UnitedWay-CNY.org

The Gifford Foundation
GiffordFoundation.org

211CNY
211cny.com

100 Women Who Care CNY
100WomenCNY.com

Primary Contact to Volunteer: Jennifer Savastino at 100wwccny@gmail.com

First WBOC President Recognized in Celebration of 25th Year Milestone

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 15:21:59 GMT

Author: Allison Zales, Owner and Professional Organizer at Choose Change
WBOC Director at Large

On October 5^th, the WBOC gathered at Pascale’s at Drumlins to honor one of our champions, Tracy Higginbotham. This was an especially significant event to us because it continued our celebration of 25^th years as an organization supporting women in CNY. Our guest speaker and honoree was a huge part of us being here today.

Tracy Higginbotham was president of WBOC (Women Business Opportunities Connections) from 1996-2005. During those years, membership had grown from originally starting with eight women to 150 members. Under Tracy's leadership the first bylaws for WBOC were created and board positions were put into place. She was influential in establishing a solid organizational foundation in which future WBOC volunteers have sustained and evolved.

From the podium on Wednesday evening, Tracy reminded the current membership of WBOC that, “We are women. And we are entrepreneurs… But we are women first.” She looked out to a room of 50+ knowing expressions and nodding heads. She urged that without hesitation or guilt, we should prioritize the care our children and our families when they need our time and attention. “Business will always be there,” Higginbotham assured.

Tracy also shared some inspiring throwback stories of WBOC from years ago. She mentioned a few WBOC founders by name and talked about their “why” for establishing a professional network of women. Overall, there was one message she offered that bridged the then and now: as women entrepreneurs, we can truly “have it all.”

To get that, I see that we have two equally incredible options: confidently blaze our own path – or – take the lead of others who have already paved the way; women like Tracy Higginbotham.

Who Are You Being in the Midst of Doing?

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 14:33:47 GMT

Author: Allison Zales, Owner and Professional Organizer at Choose Change
WBOC Director at Large

On October 5th, WBOC members met at Pascale’s Italian Bistro at Drumlin’s to take an inward look at Leadership in Action. Kathy Adams of Cognos Performance Consulting, Inc., challenged the group early into her presentation. She asked participants: “Who are you being in the midst of carrying out your leadership role? Think about your intent the last time you showed up to “do” a leadership task. Were you focused on bringing your best self to this event?“

Kathy gave her audience the opportunity to reflect on their own circumstances and allowed participants to explore their own leadership persona and inner voice. She urged the room to recognize their most powerful, generous of spirit, confident, clear, loving inner-voice. Then said, “Put that voice in charge now.“

Throughout the program, Kathy merged two leadership perspectives – Being and Doing. The sources she credited within her presentation were Leadership from the Inside Out by Kevin Cashman and The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.

When Kathy was talking about Being, she was talking about the self—the character of the self that shows up to do the job of leadership – the same self she called forth in her opening activity. On the being side of “effective leadership” realm, Kathy identified authenticity as a core theme. She used Cashman’s definition of leadership – “authentic influence that creates value.” In Being, Kathy pointed to balance –

“the need to be deeply aware of ourselves as well as others. Without the other, we are not balanced.”

Kathy explained that some say that when it comes to the issue of being, we operate out of two motivations: fear and love. She explained, when our sense of being is operating out of love, “then that light shines through.“ When we operate from the perspective of fear, “we are harsher, meaner and more judgmental than we need to be.“ This theory was one that the group discussed and broke down more together. Kathy assured that fear can come from a legitimate place, but acting in fear doesn‘t often result in a positive impact on our leadership persona.

After giving the group an opportunity for some written personal reflection, Kathy then segwayed into the other, always present, side of leadership: Doing. Doing, Kathy explained, refers to behaviors of leadership. She used examples from Kouzes and Posner’s research that proposes great leaders do 5 things pretty consistently: Model the Way; Inspire a Shared Vision; Challenge the Process; Enable Others to Act; Encourage the Heart.

As a final call to action Kathy urged, “You own this… and you owe the organization that you are leading the best version of yourself.“ She identified some options for next steps that will further extend a leadership development journey: taking stock through a personal leadership assessment, enlisting support of a qualified coach and participating in formal leadership development trainings.

Kathy Adams program presentation was information packed and offered so much insight on effective leadership, but at every WBOC program there is always a particular ah-ha that I can identify as my greatest takeaway. On Wednesday, it was this – Next time I enter a leadership task, I will take a moment to slow down, to physically pause, and to consciously call forth my best most loving calm self. Then I will be her.

Branded For Success – Recap and Take Aways

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 19:40:46 GMT

Author: Amada Funk of The Funk and Jackson Group

I have to say that my presentation on September 7^th blew me away. I was in a room filled with amazing and passionate women- women who had a fire in their bellies, were ready to take charge of their world, and have fun while doing it. I would like to say thank you for having me and recap what I had the honor of sharing with you.

Branding is a topic that often gets muddy pretty quickly. When you start your business, you are rushing to get things like business cards, brochures, signs and websites produced and ready to do business. You start by going online to design your card; maybe you check your network for graphic designers as you try to figure out what you want for a logo and what colors you want. You need to determine what your slogan is - what is your elevator speech? Once you’ve figured that out you think you have crafted your “brand” and you are looking to grow your business.

But you’re not quite there.

This is where the idea of branding gets muddy. Let’s start with the word brand. It has many definitions from an insignia on cattle to identify a herd animal, to what your business’s reputation is. That’s where I will draw your focus, because you either set your business’s reputation by what you present to your clients or your clients brand you based on your work.

What the heck does that mean? I thought my logo and website are important- and they are! Please allow me to clarify: it is not what your business looks like; it’s how your business appears. What is the idea your customers and potential customers have formed about you based on your work, your appearance (is your business casual? or suites and heals?), how do you answer the phone or respond to emails? How do you meet and manage client expectations?

These are all the true elements that make up your brand. Eventually you are what people think of when they see your logo. Think of Walmart vs Target as a business. They both sell the same products at nearly the same prices, yet have very different brands. Neither brand is wrong, but you have an instant response when you hear their business names or see their logos. This is what happens to your logo, website, business name as you build your public reputation. You don’t choose to do business with one company over another based on their logo, but their brand as a whole.

So what actually goes into your brand?

You- It’s mostly who you are professionally and personally.
Your logos and colors – but think of them as the wrapping paper for your company.
Your reputation- what the public says or thinks about your business. (Walmart vs Target)

With that in mind, we did a FUN experiment. I divided the room up into three groups with their business cards. I asked them to exchange cards and try to guess what the woman standing in front of them did based on their card and image they were presenting that evening. We had some fantastic results! Women were able to look at their businesses through the eyes of a potential client. Why is that important? Because it simply does not matter what you think your brand is, it’s what the public thinks your brand is.

Women walked away with a greater understanding of their businesses and brands. They left informed and ready to clarify or recapture their brands. All and all, it was a great night!

Maximize, Manage and Prioritize Your Time

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:28:45 GMT

Recap of WBOC January Program with Diana Wolgemuth
by Dr. Christine Allen

It’s the New Year and we are all full of personal and professional resolutions. Thus it was a perfect time for WBOC to bring in Diana Wolgemuth, a dynamic speaker and Director of Professional Development for Dale Carnegie CNY, to help us to improve our time management skills!

Women entrepreneurs in particular need help with managing our time, because we often are juggling multiple priorities (e.g., a job in addition to a business, running a household and a business, and sometimes even owning multiple businesses). Diana reminded us that although everyone gets the same number of minutes in each day, some people are continuously more productive and successful than others.  What makes the difference? Here are some key tips:

Do Your Activities Support Our Mission?

Our mission is critical. Have you developed your personal and business mission? It will be much easier to choose priorities wisely if you know what your mission is.

Diana recommended that we track our activities in 30-minute increments, writing down every activity. By doing this diligently for a couple of days, we can tell how much of our time is spent on mission critical tasks. When you are more aware of what you are spending your time on, you will make better decisions in the future on how to best spend your time!

Are You Vulnerable to the Tyranny of the Urgent?

Diana divided tasks into four baskets:

Important and Urgent (crises, deadlines, meetings)
Important and Not Urgent (Vision/Mission, planning, research, relationships, writing, process improvements, managing relationships)
Not Important and Urgent (phone calls, interruptions, email, voice mail, drop ins)
Not Important and Not Urgent (trivia, internet surfing/shopping, games, escapes, junk mail, busy work)

Diana says that when we spend most of our time on activities in basket #1, we can feel burnt out. On the other hand, when we spend most of our time on activities in basket #2, we feel we are getting somewhere!

What are Your “Time Robbers” and Obstacles to Effective Time Management?

Diana helped us to hone in on things that sabotage our efforts to getting things done. She discussed external factors, such as demands from home, being ill, required paper work, etc. These are not always in our control.

Then, there are the self-generated factors, such as procrastination, distraction, poor planning, disorganization, socializing, etc. that are more or less in our power and control. These areas can become the focus of our improvement strategies.

Some Tools for Effective Time Management

The Time Log- Again, this can be a good starting place for learning to manage your time more effectively.
Block Time—Set aside literal blocks of time for particular tasks (very effective to write specific tasks and time periods in your calendar).
Batching tasks—String together tasks that are similar and that can be quickly completed, e.g., voice mail and email or even household tasks such as shopping and running errands.
Create a Priority List instead of or in addition to a To Do List—this will help you get the most important work done first
Delegate!—Many participants acknowledged that they don’t delegate enough and most want to do it more often and more effectively in 2016!

 4 Work Habits That Can Help!

De-clutter your workspace—Diana reminded us that a cluttered space can equal a cluttered mind!
Live in “day-tight compartments”—This is a wonderful concept. Diana says that we need to stay in today and get done what we can, letting go of regrets from yesterday and worrying about the future.
Don’t overcommit!—Say “no” without feeling the need to give an explanation. (REALLY!)
Do the hardest thing first! (This really does help!)

Tips for email and voice mail.

Some key ones that Diana suggests are:

Consider calling instead of email (especially when you share a common location).
Keep email and voicemail short (I need to work on this!)
Put a descriptive subject in your emails (such as “Draft of blog post for WBOC”).
Make sure you have contact information under your signature.
Always use spell check!
With voice mail, leave your name and phone number at the beginning AND the end of your message and say them slowly. (This is brilliant really).
Use email to set up a phone call.

Hopefully, if you missed the January training, "Maximize, Manage and Prioritize Your Time", this summary of tips from Diana Wolgemuth's wonderful presentation will give you the essentials for jumpstarting your time management re-boot for 2016! Remember we all have the same amount of time - it's how we use it that matters.

So You Missed The 2015 Holiday Auction ??

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 03:18:28 GMT

If you couldn’t make it to WBOC’s 2015 Holiday Auction, I have bad news for you: you really missed out. Here, I’ll list them for you:

TONS of prizes being raffled off, from a lottery-ticket-tree to wine baskets to a Destiny USA shopping spree to a stay at Mirbeau and more and more and more…
Wine, beer, and some delicious holiday cocktails
A photo booth (check out all the fun pictures!)
A rockin’ band with a singer who had a killer voice
A special surprise ballroom dance performance from the lovely owner of Dance Syracuse
Boogie time with some super fun ladies
A MASHED POTATO BAR (plus other amazing food, of course!)
Great networking and fun with the best group of ladies around!

There is good news, however: the holiday auction is an annual event!

This annual event helps the WBOC to raise funds to carry on our philanthropic mission of supporting and advancing the success of women entrepreneurs and women in business. Every year we offer a scholarship to a high school senior who exhibits an entrepreneurial spirit in their higher education choice. These scholarships help the recipient obtain the education they need to succeed in business and add to the prosperity of our community. In addition to helping high school students, we also offer free membership to women in businesses who are just starting up or who work for local non-profits, and a business development grant for a member businesswoman. We’ll see you next year!

How Syracuse Women Entrepreneurs Stand Out?

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 02:01:02 GMT

Building Your Business at the Dawn of the Digital Age

By Joleene Moody

Nell Merlino is a nationally renowned speaker and activist best known for creating “Take Our Daughters To Work Day.” But that’s not all she has created. Merlino is working on an app that will count the number of women voters that participate in the November 2016 presidential election. This venture is just the beginning of what she hopes to accomplish for women in business all over the globe as she guides them with wisdom toward economic independence. In the end, she wants to see all women in business stand t and connect to the data-driven world by taking control of who they are and how they put themselves out there.

WBOC hosted this iconic speaker at their October 6^th evening meeting at the Genesee Grande in Syracuse. Merlino talked about the digital age and how we, as women, can gain further possession of our own personal information. She told attendees she is working with a data relationship company called Personal BlackBox to create a software that is a creative visualization of an individual’s data being reflected back to them to reveal insights that are typically only available to marketers and advertisers. In explaining her charge, Merlino reminded us of the growth of a similar data collection procedure with the birth of the Bitcoin. (What is a Bitcoin?)

Bitcoin, despite its unpredictable volatility, is proving to be a more widely accepted form of electronic currency since it was conceived in 2009. Earning Bitcoins is often achieved by becoming a miner: one who solves computer math problems and is then paid in Bitcoin currency. Each Bitcoin is assigned a code. That code, when connected to other codes, creates a blockchain, or an electronic ledger of information.

With Personal Blackbox, data collection would happen similarly. Merlino says that in the event someone else wants to access “who you are” for marketing or advertising purposes, they would have to pay you, the owner, for that information. No longer will they be able to create their own stories of who they think you are when they scrape data. You will be in control of your own story.

“We have to change the natureof marketing and advertising when we own the information. So decide who you are and how you will market yourself,” Merlino told attendees. “This is how you will stand out.”

Merlino encourages women business owners to do three things as they evolve with her Rules of the Road:

1) Understand Your Purpose. What moves you? What can you do to create your own economic independence?
2) Ditch Fear, Worry and Doubt. Fear will always be with you. Learn how to take it with you and manage it so you can succeed.
3) Remember Focus, Discipline and Visibility. Make a plan and stick to it. When the plan doesn’t work, know it and change it. Make sure people can find you with social media.

Merlino took questions from audience members, but not before she encouraged attendees to charge what they are worth.

“It’s one of the biggest issues with women in business. Charge what you are worth and stick to it,” she said.

Nell Merlino is the Founder and President of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources for women to grow their micro businesses into million dollar enterprises. She is author of “Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want it Their Way in Life, in Love, and at Work. Learn more at http://www.nellmerlino.com.

Social Made Simple

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 02:21:54 GMT

By Joleene Moody

When it comes to social media, choosing the right platforms and having a full understanding of those platforms can be overwhelming. At WBOC’s September kick off meeting, Michelle Arbore, owner of Savvy Social Media of Rochester addressed just that with her presentation, Social Made Simple. From Facebook and Linked in to Pinterest and Twitter, Michelle talked about ways to determine which platform is right for your business.

“Not all businesses are created equal,” she said during her presentation. “What works for one business owner won’t work for another.”

When it comes to generating leads, the social media strategist suggested using LinkedIn.

“Interact with your new connections. When someone follows you, send him or her an e-mail, and thank them for connecting,” she recommended. “I have generated lots of consultations this way. Thanking them and introducing yourself shows them you genuinely care about the connection.”

This introduction often blurs with LinkedIn inbox spamming, a technique that new connections often use to try and sell their services immediately after a request to connect is accepted. Michelle said the difference between the two is sincerity. By penning a genuine, heartfelt hello, the receiver should see the difference between that hello and a spam letter.

Twitter users should recognize that the 140 character platform is the fastest way to get a response from a business that isn’t living up to their potential, or may have not shown up with the best customer service. As an example, Michelle cited how quickly airlines respond to customer complaints when they are posted on Twitter.

When it comes to social media, many attendees agreed that the constant change in platform use is the most frustrating. New trends, updates and sister platforms can cause stress to business owners, especially once they get a handle on managing one specific platform. In these instances, choosing a social media manager or strategist can significantly diminish frustration and help improve the productivity of business. By utilizing manager apps, conferring with experts and sharing strategies with your fellow entrepreneurs, one can reduce their workload and frustration level, simply by taking a step toward better management.

Michelle is the owner of Savvy Social Media, based in Rochester, N.Y. She offers social media creation, management and training. Learn more athttp://savvysocialmedia.net/.