Local Boutique Owner Gets Business
Start-up Assistance
Janie’s
Emporium named after grand-mother who was pioneer
Start-up owner
and fashion curator Alisha
Taggart-Powell always knew she wanted to settle down and start her own
business, but was constantly occupied with other projects and working a full-time
job.
“Starting a
boutique has been on my mind since I was a little girl,” says Alisha. “My grand-mother started several businesses
and was a pioneer who started all on her own.”
With a diverse
educational background, Alisha had the will all to get started but knew she needed
additional assistance in business planning, building contacts and finding
resources to help her business grow.
And so, when it came to start-up assistance, Alisha
had to seek help. She found it at the
U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE Buffalo Niagara’s Annual Straight
Talk conference where the read more....
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On Friday, January 19, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon stopped in Buffalo, New York as part of her SBA Ignite Tour—a national outreach campaign aimed at fueling small businesses with tools and resources to grow their companies and create more American jobs. Administrator McMahon includes Buffalo as her 32nd stop of her tour.
During her visit, she toured and visited the Made in America Store in Elma, New York. This is the first and only general merchandise store in the Country to exclusively sell 100% American made products. The visit must have impressed her….commenting; “the President would love this place!”
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Store owner, Mark Andol also welcomed
Administrator McMahon to his second business, General Welding and Fabricating,
Inc., also of Elma, New York.
The Administrator then visited Chef’s
Restaurant, a family-owned business for over 40 years. The restaurant also has two menu items named after SBA District Director
Franklin Sciortino entitled, the Veal Sciortino and Chicken Sciortino.
She also attended a district hosted
small business roundtable, discussing topics such as tax reform, workforce
development and financing. Following her roundtable visit,
Administrator McMahon toured the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service
Center and then visited with Buffalo district staff.
On Saturday, January 20, SBA
Administrator was to deliver opening remarks at the District’s 22nd
Annual Straight Talk Conference, however, due to the government shut-down, the
Administrator and district staff were unable to attend, facilitate and present
at this year’s annual event. The district staff are hopeful the
Administrator will return in 2019’ for the 23rd annual conference.
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Straight Talk the Series Starts Tonight
January/February Line Up, REGISTER TODAY!
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January 30th, 6 - 8:30pm: Straight Talk Series Week #1
- Business Plans I and Library Resources, Medaille
College, Buffalo, NY
Session 1: Business Plans 1 and Library Research Resources. This
is your opportunity to learn what you need to know about how to operate a
successful business. Take your entrepreneurial dreams to the next level.
Click Here to
Register
February 6th, 6 - 8:30pm: Straight Talk Series Week #2 - Business
Plans II and Elements of a Financial Plan, Medaille College,
Buffalo, NY
Business Plans II and Elements of a Financial Plan. Each Straight
Talk Series small business seminars is presented by SCORE Certified Mentors and
other business experts who can help you to start or grow your business.
Click Here to
Register
February 13th, 6 - 8:30pm: Straight Talk Series Week #3 - Business
Ethics, Federal Government Contracting and Risk Management from the Legal
Perspective, Medaille College, Buffalo, NY
Business Ethics are critical no matter what industry you are in,
the wrong move can make or break your business. Understanding the different
organizational types (Sole Proprietor, LLC, Corporations) have a significant
impact on your business. Learn what to think about when setting up your
legal structure. You'll also get a bonus introduction to Federal
Government Contracting in this seminar.
Click Here to
Register
February 20th, 6 - 8:30pm: Straight Talk Series Week #4
- Employee Life Cycle: Hiring & Firing Employees and New York State
Taxes, Medaille College, Buffalo, NY
Learn strategies for success when hiring and firing employees,
information on what you need to do for your New York State sales and income tax
presented by CPA's.
Click Here to
Register
February 27th, 6 - 8:30pm: Straight Talk Series Week #5
- Risk Management from the Insurance Perspective and Federal Taxes, Medaille
College, Buffalo, NY
Protecting yourself, your employees and your business is critical
to every business owner. Join us to learn about insurance protections you
should take to run your business. The second part of this workshop will focus
on Federal Tax strategies and information.
Click Here to
Register
All Series events held at Medaille College from 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm. FREE with your Straight Talk January 20 admission or $5.00 each.
For March Series dates and topics, please click here.
SBA Buffalo District Office, 540 Niagara Center, Buffalo, NY Office Directory
FranklinJ. Sciortino, District Director
Phone: 716-551-4305 Email: franklin.sciortino@sba.gov
Victoria Reynolds, Deputy District Director
Phone: 716-551-5668 Email: victoria.reynolds@sba.gov
Paul Hoffman, Lender Relations Specialist
Phone: 716-551-3242 Email: paul.hoffman@sba.gov
Mollie B. Gaughan, District Counsel
Phone: 716-551-4690 E-mail: mollie.gaughan@sba.gov
Kelly LoTempio, Economic Development Specialist/Public Information Officer
Phone: 716-551-3249 E-mail: kelly.lotempio@sba.gov
Gregory Lindberg, Economic Development Specialist
Phone: 716-551-5670 E-mail: gregory.lindberg@sba.gov
Jennifer Talarico, Business Opportunity Specialist
Phone: 716-551-3240 Email: jennifer.talarico@sba.gov
Scot Thompson, Administrative Officer
Phone: 716-604-0015 E-mail: scot.thompson@sba.gov
Virginia Smith, Rochester Branch Manager
Phone: 585-263-6700 E-mail: virginia.smith@sba.gov
Tammi Bennett, Program Support Assistant
Phone: 585-263-6700 E-mail: tammi.bennett@sba.gov
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