New York SBDC Research Network

Each year the  New York Small Business Development Center  recognizes outstanding small businesses in a variety of ways.  This Success Story from the  Mid-Hudson SBDC  appears in our  2016 Annual Report .  Chan Patel   Kingston Holiday Inn Express Mid-Hudson SBDC The Mid-Hudson region has long been a magnet for visitors from around the nation and the world. Yet it has been common knowledge that the local accommodations infrastructure was not able to keep up with demand, leaving travelers frustrated and the region missing out on a potentially lucrative and important economic development resource. Recognizing both the existing need and the untapped potential, a group of seasoned industry entrepreneurs lead by Chan Patel decided to invest in the development of a state-of-the-art 100-room Holiday Inn Express for the Kingston area.  SBDC Advisor Sam Kandel met with the group and started working on a funding strategy. He contacted the U...

Percy Caraballo, the son of Cuban immigrant parents, saved pocket change stored in 5-gallon water containers, as seed money to start Cutting Edge Lawn Service and Landscaping. He had one lawn mower and one landscape trailer when he launched his business. Percy’s fleet is valued in excess of $1M today, and comprises 13 trucks, seven trailers, four chippers, and a stump grinder. Cutting Edge provides lawn service, landscaping, tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, and snow plowing/removal for regional, municipal, public authorities and commercial accounts. Over the past eight years, Percy has managed his operations without an accident, earning him an award for sustaining a 100% accident-free safety record. He has 28 PT/FT employees providing year-round services. Percy consulted the SBDC for procurement assistance that led to his obtaining MBE Certification. Advisors Vanessa Primus and Cynthia Clune also provided solicitation reviews, helped interpret co...

Gillinder Glass is a sixth-generation owned custom glass manufacturer located in Port Jervis that specializes in custom-moulded, hand-pressed glass products. In addition to producing as much as 50% of the glass components for airfield runway lights for the US market, the company provides products for lighting and other applications for many industry segments both domestic and international including airfield, aerospace and defense, architectural, commercial, industrial, theatrical, and transportation. Owner Charles Gillinder consulted the SBDC about investigating a supplier in China, and joined the IBD program on trade missions to China in 2014 and 2015. Through the SBDC introductions and coordination, Charles made contacts in several regions for his products, met with existing and potential suppliers, and had on-site visits with local suppliers. Charles also worked with the Mid-Hudson SBDC to obtain a NY Rising grant to recoup losses incurred during Hurric...

For more than 21 years Topical BioMedics has dedicated itself to helping the multitudes of people suffering with pain  achieve robust healthy living. The company’s flagship product, Topricin® Pain Relief and Healing Cream, which was introduced in 1994, is now a leading natural therapeutic brand. Topricin was developed by Lou Paradise, a decorated Marine Corps veteran who is the company’s president and chief of research, to treat his own painful case of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and relieve the effects of traumatic injuries. Lou’s wife Aurora, the Chief Operating Officer, oversees the daily operations including staff management, purchasing, and inventory. The company’s warehoAuuse is populated by 17 full-time and two part-time employees. The Paradises first consulted the SBDC in the aftermath of 9/11 for help in applying for a disaster loan from SBA. Recently they’ve returned to the Mid-Hudson center to assistance with business expansion. So f...

Each year the New York Small Business Development Center recognizes outstanding small businesses in a variety of ways.  This Success Story from the  Mid-Hudson SBDC  appears in our  2015 Annual Report .  Lea Fridrich The Garden Cafe Mid-Hudson SBDC Lea Fridrich’s love for vegetarian food is only surpassed by her love for people! Lea had her eye on a well-established, well-loved vegetarian restaurant in Woodstock that she knew was for sale, and in June 2014 she offered to purchase it. A customer who frequented the restaurant Lea managed at the time was so impressed with Lea’s skills and passion that she agreed to finance the purchase of the restaurant and to become a limited partner. Lea was left with the task of determining a reasonable valuation for the business and estimating the total amount of financing required to realize her vision for the restaurant. Mid-Hudson SBDC Advisor Sam Kandel worked closely with Lea to determine a fair valuation, ...