Friday, May 30, 2014

MCC Guest Blogger Gil Effron: Are you exactly where you want to be?

That's a tough question for many business owners -- especially the ones that are busy, making a good living, and have a relatively comfortable lifestyle.
    It's a tough question because they're certainly not suffering -- yet! 
    I say "yet" because as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow morning there will come a day when that busy business owner will want to slow down and separate himself from the day-to-day hassles of running his business.
    I don't see this as a bad problem. It's the way life is. When we're young, we have the energy and drive to do whatever needs to be done. As time goes on, we see that there's more to life than living the same day every day. Continue reading... 

Friday, May 23, 2014

American Cancer Society Names Laura Bucko To Manhattan Board of Advisors

New York, NY –Laura Bucko has joined the Manhattan Board of Advisors of the American Cancer Society. Bucko, a resident of Manhattan and Vice President/Director of Communications of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, will provide regional leadership and support for the Society’s core mission strategies of research, education, advocacy and patient services.

Laura is dedicated to finishing the fight against cancer, and we welcome her support for our mission,” said Peggy Silbert, Senior Representative, Community Engagement, Eastern Division, American Cancer Society.

Laura is the VP/Director of Communications for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and founder of their Green Business Committee. She has been employed with the Chamber since June, 2004. Laura has been instrumental in changing the focus of the chamber from a small community organization to a far-reaching, robust organization that serves many levels of the business community. By focusing on partner and member relations, recruitment, strategic partnerships, event coordination and outreach, this organization has flourished and has increased its relevancy by being a champion to NYC businesses during an economic downturn. Laura founded the Chamber’s Green Business Committee in June, 2008 which has since grown to be the chamber’s largest most successful initiative.
Laura has also worked to create sub-groups in the chamber for technology/digital media, healthcare, education and young professionals. Previously, Ms. Bucko worked as a junior agent and non-print permissions manager at Harold Ober Associates, a boutique literary agency that represents such authors as Marjorie Sharmat, Lois Lowry and the Estates of J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Langston Hughes. She earned her B.A. in English Literature from Smith College and her MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College.

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers

saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the

nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/fight

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

MCC Member Testimonial

“ …. All the events I've attended with the MCC have been excellent. I joined because of the high caliber of business owners the MCC attracts, and am always happy to see that continue.

I also love how, for those of us interested, there are paths to being more involved, which makes me feel like I'm really part of something big.

So thank you to you, and all the others, who help to make MCC membership the great experience it is!”


Heather Markel, aka The BullBuster, CPC, ACC


Website
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Free High School Summer Interns Available – July 7th through August 15th

The NYC Department of Education is seeking companies to host high school students studying information technology, advertising, media, and graphics as interns for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Scholars Program. The students are paid by the Department of Education. They spend Mon-Wed at their internships and Thurs-Fri in class. The program provides support for both student and host. There is no cost to your company.



The program is scheduled to run from July 7th to August 15th. If you’re interested in hosting students, please click here to register. More information at www.ctesummerscholars.org or e-mail us at ctess@schools.nyc.gov

Friday, May 16, 2014

News about MCC Awardee and Corporate Member TransPerfect

TRANSPERFECT WINS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD AT WORLD TRADE WEEK NYC 2014


Award Recognizes Companies Who Demonstrate Leadership in Employing Technology to Advance Global Business

NEW YORK, NY, Month XX, 2014 – TransPerfect, the world’s largest privately held provider of language services and translation-related technology solutions, was named the winner of the Global Technology Award at World Trade Week NYC 2014.

Each year, the President of the United States declares the third full week in May “World Trade Week.” During this week, trade organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders come together on both a national and local level to advance international trade in the U.S. The New York tri-state area’s World Trade Week event kicked off on May 12th and featured a full agenda of educational seminars, global business networking events, and an awards breakfast that recognized exemplary achievements in the local business community. The theme of this year’s event is “Using Technology to Grow Your Business Globally.”

The Global Technology Award is presented to a company in the New York metropolitan region for leadership in using technology to advance business globally. Award winners are independently nominated and then selected by the World Trade Week NYC steering committee. In selecting the winner, the committee looks at the company’s overall global growth and how that expansion was enhanced by the innovative application of technology solutions.

According to Nancy Ploeger, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce and member of the World Trade Week NYC steering committee, “Providing innovative technologies and services to help companies succeed in the global marketplace is TransPerfect’s stock-in-trade, but they also practice what they preach. We were impressed by their consistent dedication to international expansion and their creative application of technology to streamline their internal processes and enhance the overall experience for their clients worldwide.”

TransPerfect Co-CEO Liz Elting, added, “We’d like to thank the World Trade Week NYC steering committee for honoring us with this award and for their intense dedication to promoting cross-border commerce. TransPerfect got its start in Manhattan, and we would not be where we are today without the incredible support of the New York business community.”

About TransPerfect
With annual revenues of more than $400 million, TransPerfect is the world's largest privately held provider of language services and technology solutions. From offices in more than 85 cities on six continents, TransPerfect offers a full range of services in 170+ languages to clients worldwide. With an unparalleled commitment to quality and client service, TransPerfect is fully ISO 9001 and EN 15038 certified. TransPerfect has global headquarters in New York, with regional headquarters in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at www.transperfect.com.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Crain's NY Business: Startup scene lures female investors

More women angels bet on new ventures.

By Eilene Zimmerman
May 6, 2014 12:01 A.M.

Ennis

Before Anastasia Leng left Google in August 2012 to co-found the startup Hatch, she told female colleagues of her plans. "They said, 'When you're ready, come to me for investment,' " said Ms. Leng.

They became key supporters. Female investors contributed $325,000 of the $1 million seed round for Hatch, a Manhattan-based marketplace where users can redesign jewelry, home decor and accessories posted on the site and have artisans around the world custom-make it. Hatch launched to the public last fall.

New York is fast becoming an epicenter of a trend that is helping entrepreneurs like Ms. Leng: Increasingly familiar with the world of startup funding through jobs at tech firms or their own businesses, more women are diving into angel investing, where they give startups a cash infusion in exchange for equity.

According to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire, about 18% of angel investors in the U.S. in 2013 were women, down slightly from a high of 21.8% in 2012 but still significantly above the 12.2% the center tallied in 2011.

Female angel investors on New York City's startup scene say they are no longer an anomaly.

"I used to get asked when I walked into a pitch room if I was lost," said Angela Lee, founder of 37 Angels, a Manhattan-based investment network for women in Manhattan where half the members are entrepreneurs. "That doesn't happen anymore."

Given that women entrepreneurs in New York have been unusually successful at fundraising, perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that some want to put what they've learned to work as angels.

According to 2013 data from research firm CB Insights, the median funding received by all-female teams in New York—who make up 3% of local startup teams—was $4.5 million, compared with $2.2 million for all-women teams across the nation and $2.3 million for local all-male teams.

Meanwhile, more women-owned firms are going after angel financing. According to the Center for Venture Research, female entrepreneurs made up 16% of founders seeking angel capital in 2013, up from 12% in 2011.

"Women are becoming increasingly sophisticated in how they seek funding—no question about it," said Loretta McCarthy, a managing partner at Manhattan-based Golden Seeds, an early-stage investment firm, where 80% of the members are women. Golden Seeds, which invests only in companies with at least one woman at the helm, has backed 61 firms in the decade since it started—10 in New York City.

Of course, the big test for angels who back women-run firms will be their success in picking startups that raise more capital and make lucrative exits. Female entrepreneurs have had a hard time winning venture funding, and some may need coaching to secure it.

Monday, May 5, 2014

MCC Thanks Aprils Renewing Members


Name Company Website
Alberto Gonzalez GustOrganics www.gustorganics.com
Magda Souffront  Savoy Bank www.banksavoy.com
Maribel Aviles Country Bank www.countrybankonline.com
Dr. Ankur Prakash Well Balanced Chiropractic, P.C. www.wellbalancedchiropractic.com
Robert Schwartz Eneslow, The Foot Comfort Center (@ 32nd Street) www.eneslow.com
Christina Dusenberry  Educational Data Systems, Inc. www.edsisolutions.com
Juha E A Tolvanen J & E Business Services, L.L.C.
Peter Semetis Sale & Pepe Caterers www.salepepefinecatering.com
Kamu KILINC SKALA International Holding Inc. www.skalaholding.com
Jay Nosenchuk Windstream www.windstreambusiness.com
Henryk Sanecki Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in NY www.newyork.trade.gov.pl/en/
Evan Horowitz Evan Horowitz Advising www.EHAdvising.com
Mary Cucci Word Charmers http://wordcharmers.com/

REAL Certification Comes to New York

For the first time in history, diet-related diseases kill more people than communicable diseases and in the United States, today’s children may have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Obesity now exceeds smoking as one of the biggest drivers of our healthcare costs, accounting for over $190 billion annually, and is directly related to preventable chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer. In addition to direct healthcare costs, annual costs associated with employee absenteeism and lost productivity due to obesity and related chronic conditions have risen to over $153 billion. Unless we change the course of our current path, the incidence of diet-related diseases will continue to increase, adding to our national debt, health insurance premiums and business expenses.


Today, the United States Healthful Food Council (USHFC), is launching Eat REAL New York to help reverse these trends. Established in 2011, the USHFC is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization dedicated to fighting diet-related disease by realigning the foodservice industry’s incentives with consumers’ health interests. Americans are consuming more meals prepared away from home than ever before and market trends in the foodservice industry have created a competitive environment based on serving what is profitable, not what is healthful. The USHFC works towards its mission through the Responsible Epicurean and Agricultural Leadership (REAL) Certification, a market-based incentive that recognizes food and foodservice establishments for utilizing nutrition and sustainability best practices.

Utilizing the points-based REAL Index, independent registered dietitians conduct a comprehensive establishment review that includes menu analysis, invoice and supply chain verification, and interviews. Establishments are credited with points across a range of best practices such as the use of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy preparation methods, moderate portion sizes, unsweetened beverages, healthy children’s options and sustainable sourcing. Those that satisfy the necessary requirements are awarded REAL Certification.

Since launching REAL Certification in Washington, D.C. last year with 19 restaurants, the program has certified nearly 100 foodservice locations across the country. These include the café at Google San Francisco, Music City Center in Nashville, Restaurant Nora in D.C., the popular chain Mixt Greens and many others. You can find restaurant profiles along with chef interviews for all REAL Certified establishments at www.eatreal.org.

This morning, the USHFC launched Eat REAL New York at the historic James Beard House preceding tonight's James Beard Foundation Awards. The inaugural class of New York restaurants includes: ‘wichcraft, ICI, Locanda Vini e Olii, Bareburger, Rose Water Restaurant, Rusty Mackerel, Insurgo Project, and the Friday Night Dinner at Natural Gourmet Institute.

These restaurants are not the USHFC’s only connection to New York. At last month’s inaugural REAL Food Innovator Awards, which celebrate leaders in nutrition and sustainability, the USHFC recognized former Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a REAL Food Innovator amongst government officials and NYU’s Dr. Marion Nestle as the REAL Food Innovator of the Year.

In her keynote address, Dr. Nestle applauded the USHFC’s ability to help the foodservice industry align the food they make and serve with the health and nutritional needs of the public. Among other successes, USHFC has helped a DC food truck substantially increase sales of its healthier offerings and is working with the State of Tennessee to lower the rates of diabetes and obesity.

The USHFC looks forward to similar successes in New York and contributing to the health of the city and its businesses.

To learn more, please visit www.ushfc.org or www.eatREAL.org.

Friday, May 2, 2014

MCC Welcomes Aprils New Members

Name Company Website
Marquesa Pettway The National Center for Speaker Training www.MarquesaPettway.com
Benjamin Hatooka Rug Wash Inc www.rugwashinc.com
James Monahan Madison Avenue Limousine Service www.madisonavenuelimo.com
Miranda Bouldin Inspire And Achieve Corporation
David Shalamov Diva Hair Salon 
Deepa Dahal Quintiles
Alyssa Vaughan Neapolitan Express
Ashraf Hamdy Consulate of Egypt
Anastasia Phillips SYNLawn of New York www.synlawn.com
Jen Kattelman Stemcyte, Inc
Errol Oz Oz Group http://ozgroup.com/
Jean Lavin JL Insight Communications www.jlinsight.com
Nicholas Shaffery Art.Lebedev Studio www.artlebedev.com
Michael Tosto TITLE Boxing Club
Myron Wecker Ph.D. CUNY Center for Advanced Technology http://cunycat.org
Ilan Ohev-Zion CarpetsNY www.carpetsny.com
Dianna O'Doherty The Profit Line www.theprofitline.com
Faheem Hossain Lyons Mortgage Services, INC. www.elyons.com
Mike Meirowitz Live Nation Entertainment http://www.livenationpremiumseats.com/city/new-york
Michael Valenti Phoenix Energy Group
Shari Shabab Galerie Shabab http://galerieshabab.com
Katherina Balkaran KBalkaran Interiors www.KBalkaran.com
Chris Jones Promethean IT www.prometheanit.com
JOANNA PALMIGIANO TripleNet Energy LLC http://www.triplenet-energy.com/
Joule L'Adara Sounding Circles LLC
Carol Barash Story To College www.storytocollege.com
Jeffrey Schneider McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union www.mcgrawhillfcu.org
Andrew Estreich m2 Asset Management
Glen Friedman Gotham Insider www.gothaminsider.com
Renee Azoulay Ventura Associates International LLC
Lark-Marie Anton New York Genome Center www.nygenome.org
Kristina Mazelis Wall Street Network, Inc. http://www.wsn.net
Rich Murray Wolf Disaster Services http://www.wolfdisasterservices.com
Hosheus (OC) Isaac New York Business Development Corporation www.nybdc.com
Ilona Kovacs True Health Snacks™ www.truehealthsnacks.com
Neal Shipley Urgent Care Manhattan www.urgentcaremanhattan.com
Jomarie Zeleznik Comprehensive Geriatric Care www.comprehensivegeriatticcare.org

Testimonial about the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce!

The MCC has been fantastic for my business. After networking at various MCC events, I have been retained by international clients from Dubai, Turkey, Czech Republic, England, Switzerland, and Australia seeking to set up operations in New York, as well as by many local companies either just organizing or already in business and seeking to grow. The MCC really does mean business!

Ronald I. Paltrowitz, Esq.

Law Offices of Ronald I. Paltrowitz
1375 Broadway (37th Street), 3rd Floor
New York, New York 10018
Tel: 917-822-2881
Fax: 646-218-0917
http://paltrowitzlaw.com
Wise Counsel for Growing Businesses®