SBDC Success Story:
Luis Guevara came to the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help in opening an Italian restaurant. The SBDC helped him put together his start-up budget, financial projections and business plan as well as coordinating the application process with his lenders, Hudson Valley Bank and the New York State Business Development Corporation. The combination of Mr. Guevara’s entrepreneurial strengths with the services of the SBDC resulted in an $861,000 SBA 504 loan. “Opening Fiorella's was a dream I’ve been working toward for a long time. But without the LaGuardia SBDC’s help in preparing a strong business plan with solid financials I wouldn't have gotten the capital that helped me to do it!” says Mr. Guevara. To find out how the SBDC can help achieve your business dream contact Brian Gurski, SBDC Director at (718) 482-5091 or email him at bgurski@lagccc.cuny.edu
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PTAC Success Story:
Wey Technologies is a computer peripherals equipment manufacturing company. They are experts in keyboards and other data input hardware. But when it comes to completing the federal GSA Schedule 70, a multiple award proposal document that is crucial when competing for government contracts, they turned to the resources of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). While an outside consultant may have charged Wey Technologies over $5,000, the services of the PTAC are free. And, within a turnaround of two weeks the proposal was completed. Wey Technologies is also receiving potential contract opportunities through the PTAC's Softshare bid matching program. Softshare is an electronic commerce service bureau that searches government databases worldwide for open solicitations that PTAC clients can bid on. If your company is interested in PTAC services contact Edgard Hernandez, PTAC Director at (718) 482-5289 or email him at ehernandez@lagcc.cuny.edu
SBTRC Success Story:
Chaya Follman operates Industrial USA, a work gear and safety equipment company; Dina Theoridis operates Fresh Meadows Corporation, a construction company; and Kristie Mason of Alpine Seeding performs hydro-seeding on landscaping projects. Their common bond is that their businesses help improve our transportation infrastructure. Through support from the Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) they were guided through the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification process and were recently certified. This certification goes a long way in furthering their chances to securing government contracts. To find out if your business is eligible for SBTRC services, contact Elizabeth Perdomo, SBTRC Director at (718) 482-5941 or email her at eperdomo@lagcc.cuny.edu
CCE Success Story:
Fresh Direct, the online grocer in Long Island City asked the Center for Corporate Education to provide English training. The goal of the training was to increase skills of workers to communicate effectively with colleagues and supervisors, perform their job functions more successfully and safely, and prepare them for potential advancement opportunities. Additionally, it was designed in context with worker functions and responsibilities. But maybe most importantly, CCE knew it had to accommodate shifts in work schedules, so classes were offered at Fresh Direct as early as four in the morning and as late as ten at night. Over sixty workers participated in, and completed, this highly successful project. If you are interested in CCE services, contact CCE Director, Tim Rucinski at (718) 482- 5332, or email him at trucinski@lagcc.cuny.edu
NY Designs Success Story:
A former Wall Streeter, Alex Yoo noted a need for high quality, custom-made dress shirts at affordable prices. He's found the perfect fit at NY Designs to start his business. His company, under the name Alexander West, is now an elite purveyor of fine bespoke shirts and elegant cuff links to the style–conscious metropolitan professional. Celebrities like Will Smith and Eric Trump wear his shirts. Alex is one of many designers who have taken advantage of the resources of NY Designs that includes studios, conference space, counseling, workshops and classes all focused on emerging design professionals. For more information on NY Designs resources contact NY Designs Director, Natalia Arguello at (718) 663-8402, or email her at narguello@lagcc.cuny.edu
Click on the link below to hear NY Designs client Julia Reich explain how critical NY Designs was to her business success in an interview with Donna Amos, founder of the site www.solopreneurs.org a recently launched online venture of the International Association of Solopreneurs.
http://www.solopreneurs.org/members/solopreneur/videos/VIEW/00000041/Interview-with-Julia-Reich.html
