Buffalo State Small Business Development Center

Meet Tess Wacker, a graphic designer, illustrator, and brand specialist dedicated to helping small businesses shine through stunning visuals and strategic branding. With a background in fine arts and television animation, Tess brings a unique perspective to her work; Blending creativity with industry knowledge, Tess creates engaging designs that resonate and perfectly align with the needs of her clients. Over the past few months with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), she has collaborated with her advisor Marilyn Roach to develop a targeted marketing strategy and refine her portfolio. Tess states, "Marilyn has been an invaluable gift to me at this point in my career. Her genuine enthusiasm and patience are not only encouraging and supportive, but comforting." If you’re a small business looking for a welcome refresh, Tess is ready to bring your vision to life! Her approach is specifically tailored to each client and their needs, and involves multiple packages of different prices. She guarantees specific effort and focus on understanding a brand's story and goals to create cohesive and eye-catching designs just for them. Whether you need a new logo, ads, illustrative content, or a complete branding overhaul, Tess is eager to help your business stand out! To work with Tess today, visit her website at www.tesswacker.com or email her at teswacker@gmail.com for more information.

What's good? Watching fellow small business owners succeed, that's what. Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the graduation for the Buffalo State Small Business Development Center's latest Contract Readiness cohort and the energy in the room was next 👏 level 👏 As part of the ceremony, each entrepreneur stood before the group and delivered the one-minute pitch they'd been refining over the last eight weeks. They NAILED IT. Teaching the digital marketing class for this group was a fantastic experience. This is a group of smart, savvy, engaged entrepreneurs, and I have no doubt that we'll all hear about their success in the years to come. I am HERE 👏 FOR 👏 IT 👏 Stay tuned, folks—I'll soon be sharing info about your next opportunity to be part of the SBDC's Contract Readiness series!

Rachel S. discovered her passion for travel during her undergraduate years, which led her back to the industry after 15 years in corporate finance. "I wanted to merge my skills with something I love," she explained. Seeking more personal interactions and meaningful work, Rachel launched her business, Shared Memories Travel. Shared Memories Travel focuses on creating personalized trips for individuals and small groups. "We streamline the entire process," Rachel said. "From managing bookings to crafting itineraries, we ensure that every trip is stress-free and tailored to our clients' needs." Rachel’s journey with the Buffalo State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) began with their EntreSkills online program, which provided key insights into starting a business. "The videos and workbooks helped me apply the lessons directly to my venture," she shared. Additionally, working with Business Advisor Olivia Harbol was invaluable. "Olivia connected me with resources that were critical for my growth." As Shared Memories Travel continues to thrive, Rachel is grateful for the ongoing support from the SBDC. "It’s reassuring to know they provide opportunities for learning and development as I move forward," she said. For Rachel, entrepreneurship is about more than just running a business—it’s about creating meaningful journeys for her clients. To learn more check out https://lnkd.in/e6eQZsfY or @sharedmemoriestravel on Instagram. 

This month, we want to congratulate Janna Willoughby-Lohr on receiving Women Owned Business Certification with New York States Empire State Development for her business Papercraft Miracles, LLC! Janna Willoughby-Lohr is the artist behind Papercraft Miracles, LLC. Papercraft Miracles is an eco-friendly handmade paper art company. They make magical things out of paper that bring meaning to people’s lives. With handmade papers, handcrafted paper flowers, hand-bound books, and plantable seed bombs, their team of skilled artisans will make anything you can dream up. Each piece is handcrafted with love and a little bit of magic at their solar-powered studio in Buffalo, NY. Janna is an artist, poet, musician and entrepreneur. She was awarded a $25,000 Ignite Buffalo Grant in 2018 and was named 40-Under-40 from Stationery Trends Magazine in 2019. She’s worked with Pinterest, Twitter and Capital One. In 2021, her team created 500,000 seed bombs for Lowe's Companies, Inc.’s Spring Garden Giveaway event. Janna was also a contestant on Meet Your Makers Showdown, a crafting competition TV show on discovery+. She was awarded the Women in Manufacturing Award from Business First in 2023. As so much of the world is becoming screen-based and digital, Janna feels a calling to preserve and promote the physicality of book and paper arts. She is a mom to three little kiddos and loves bright colors, giggling, and things that are small. This past year, she became interested in applying for Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification. Since this application is known for its intensive and overwhelming process, Janna reached out to the SBDC for assistance. Janna has worked closely with MWBE specialist Bailey Brouillard on the New York State Empire State Development certification application. Bailey reviewed Janna's application and supporting documents, to ensure she was set up for success when submitting the final application. “Bailey has been instrumental in helping me to obtain my WBE Certifications. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable about the process and the ins and outs of the application system, she is also very organized with all the data and documents needed to submit. Even when we had extra documents and interesting circumstances, Bailey found a way to include all the relevant data needed to get our certification, and the whole process was so much easier and smoother than I thought it would be. I couldn’t have done it without her.” Janna Willoughby-Lohr submitted her NYS WBE application on August 14th, 2024. After corresponding with her assigned analyst to clarify a few questions, Janna was informed that her business was successfully certified on September 20th, 2024! Our office is so excited and proud of Janna Willoughby-Lohr for taking this step in her business journey. For more information visit her website at www.papercraftmiracles.com. She can also be reached via email at info@papercraftmiracles.com or phone at 1-855-472-7375.

Meet Courtney Zach, a talented artist and entrepreneur based in Buffalo, NY, whose business offers a one-of-a-kind experience designed to spark curiosity and self-awareness. Through whimsical and personalized artwork, she creates paintings that connect the buyer to their own unique story. As Courtney likes to ask, "What will your story be?" After spending over 17 adventurous years abroad, Courtney returned to her hometown to launch this creative endeavor. Her mission is simple yet profound: to help people better understand themselves and feel empowered to live a fulfilling life. “[The experience] abroad taught me the importance of self-awareness and using your passions as a guide,” she says. Through her artwork, Courtney offers a fun and engaging way for people to reflect on their own stories, feel heard, and embark on their own personal journeys—compass in hand. The SBDC played a crucial role in helping Courtney bring her vision to life. The step-by-step guidance provided was invaluable. “The SBDC made me feel confident that I could succeed. I couldn't have gotten this far without their help!" Of all the support she received, Courtney highlights her SBDC Advisor, Olivia Harbol, as the most valuable asset. "Olivia is patient and breaks down information in a way that’s easy to understand. She makes me feel like a valued part of the community, which is crucial for anyone thinking of starting a business on their own." Courtney’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “If you have a desire to open a business in Buffalo, I highly recommend using the resources and services of the SBDC!” We are proud to support amazing entrepreneurs like Courtney Zach, who turn passion into purpose, one painting at a time. To check out Courtney’s work, find her on Facebook, Courtney Lyn Zach Art or Instagram @courtneylynzach  

Rachel Pepe and Corina Pignatti recently opened Clean Collective located at 1251 Hertel Avenue. They are thrilled to share with you a more sustainable way of living that will not only benefit us but also contribute positively to our world future. As the partners have observed the increasing levels of pollution and waste being generated daily, they were inspired to offer an alternative to the prevalent use of plastic and harmful chemicals in our everyday lives. Their goal is to create a positive impact by promoting eco-friendly practices within our community and beyond. Rachel and Corina worked with Marilyn Roach to establish their comprehensive business plan and prepare financial projections to obtain a working capital loan. Their store carries an array of every-day, eco-friendly products – from cleaning products to toothpaste and deodorants. For more information please visit: https://lnkd.in/dA_cXtCz

Our homecoming market, co-sponsored by Chartwells is happening NOW until 1pm! Come check out our awesome local vendors!!

This month, we want to congratulate Kristen Johnson on receiving Women-Owned Business Enterprise Certification with New York State for her business, Kristen Johnson, LLC! Kristen Johnson, LLC is a tiny Buffalo web design studio that builds affordable, elegant websites for small businesses and nonprofits. Kristen Johnson, the owner of Kristen Johnson LLC, is an award-winning marketing and communications leader with 20+ years of experience. In addition to a bachelor’s degree, she holds a graduate certificate in Marketing Management and Digital Strategy from Harvard. She specializes in front-end web design and is also skilled in content marketing, digital marketing, marketing strategy, brand journalism, and copywriting. This past year, Kristen became interested in applying for Women- owned Business Enterprise (WBE) certification. Since this application is known for its intensive and overwhelming process, Kristen reached out to the SBDC for assistance. She worked closely with MWBE specialist, Bailey Brouillard on her Erie County and City of Buffalo WBE application along with the New York State certification application. Bailey reviewed Kristen's application and supporting documents to make sure she was set up for success when submitting the final application. “Bailey was instrumental in my application’s success,” Kristen said. “The application process is overwhelming, and the instructions aren’t always clear. But Bailey knows the ropes! She knew exactly what both the local commission and the State teams were looking for and helped me gather everything they wanted. She went above and beyond to review my materials, get them organized in just the right way, and connect me with a Notary so I could finalize and submit my applications. Not only was she there every step of the way with answers to all my questions, she was also a constant cheerleader. If you’re thinking about pursuing your own certification, I can’t recommend Bailey highly enough. She’s the person you want to have in your corner!” After being certified with Erie County and City of Buffalo, Kristen submitted her application with New York State in May of 2024. Her business was successfully certified on July 17, 2024! Our office is so excited and proud of Kristen for taking this step in her business journey. For more information about Kristen Johnson, LLC, visit her website at www.kristenjohnson.co.

Exciting start to our AI Roadshow in Buffalo! We had a fantastic turnout, with local entrepreneurs eager to explore how AI can revolutionize small business. A huge thank you to Senator Sean Ryan and Dean Carol DeNysschen for their support, and to the Buffalo State Small Business Development Center team, including SBDC Directors Sue McCartney and Maureen Henderson, for hosting such a successful event. Special shoutout to Greg Chanese from the Albany SBDC, our AI expert who led the charge with an insightful presentation. Looking forward to more great stops on the roadshow! Buffalo State University

Joan Sponn, the founder of B.E. Social Traveler, LLC, launched her business in early 2024 with a mission to make travel accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, Joan created a service that caters to travelers of all abilities, including those with disabilities and travel-related anxieties. B.E. Social Traveler, LLC specializes in creating Individualized Service Plans (ISP) tailored to the unique needs of each client. Joan's “Flower Traveler’s Guide” helps clients choose the right travel experience: ·    Spring Flower: Local trips with minimal walking and low crowds. ·    Sunflower: Accessible travel for those with disabilities. ·    Orchid: Adventurous trips, domestic or international. ·    Wildflower: Self-guided, organized travel plans. Joan's journey with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) began when she first established B.E. Social Traveler, LLC. The SBDC provided essential guidance on starting her business, but it wasn’t until 2024 that Joan was ready to fully commit. With the help of Olivia Harbol at the Buffalo SBDC, Joan was connected with the necessary resources, including an attorney, a web designer, and insurance agents. “With her assistance, enthusiasm, encouragement, and guidance, Olivia made my dream business into a reality. Olivia was the best and most valuable service provided by the SBDC.” Now, Joan is ready to guide clients toward stress-free, accessible travel in 2024. Visit www.besocialtraveler.com to learn more and start planning your next adventure.