Wednesday, April 20, 2016

SBA to Celebrate National Small Business Week; Agency Announces NY 2016 Award Winners




New York - U.S. Small Business Administration New York District Director Beth Goldberg announced SBA's 2016 district and national Small Business Week award winners and the agency’s plans to honor this year’s 12 small business owners and advocates for their contributions to small business.

The awards ceremony is part of SBA’s celebration of National Small Business Week (May 1 – May 7). “Every year since 1963 SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week,” said Goldberg. “This year our district office has four National Award winners who will be recognized by SBA’s Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet during a ceremony in Washington D.C. on May 2. The following day we will honor our New York winners.”

The New York District Office National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony will be held May 3, 2016 from 10:00 am to Noon; Registration begins at 9 am at 26 Federal Plaza, Conference Center 6th Floor, and Room A/B. Complimentary Continental Breakfast. Open to the Public. Email newyorkdo@sba.gov to RSVP.

"The nominations for this year’s competition prove, once again, the level of professionalism and success is a trademark of our New York District small business community," said Goldberg. "Not only should the winners be congratulated but every business nominated and considered should be recognized for their accomplishments. Selecting this year's winners was no easy task."

2016 SBA NY Small Business Week Award Winners:

The 2016 SBA New York District Office Small Business Person of the Year
John Durante, Durante Rentals LLC., located in Bronx, NY.

SBA New York District Office Women Small Business Champion of the Year
Heidi Kahn, Kahn Architecture - New York, NY.

SBA New York District Office Exporter of the Year
Mohammed A. Osman, Karima Shipping Enterprise, Inc. - Bronx, NY.

SBA New York District Office Home-based Business Champion of the Year
Antonella Zangheri, Krumville Bake Shop, Inc. - Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Small Business Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
Avi Leshes, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce - Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
James Wilson Wood, Independent Media Sales & Services, Inc. D/B/Minority Commerce Weekly - Shoreham, NY

SBA New York District Office Small Business Financial Service Champion of the Year
Nancy Carin, Business Outreach Center Network, Inc. /BOC Capital Corp. Brooklyn, NY.

SBA New York District Office Women Business Center Excellence Award and Region II
Andrea Ormeno, Queens Economic Development Corporation/Women’s Business Center - Kew Gardens, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)
Walter H. Barandiaran, Daniel Raynor, Steve Berman of Argentum Capital Partners - New York, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery
Stephen Piazza, Maryann Piazza of Majestic Vending and Services, Inc. - Staten Island, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Dwight D. Eisenhower Award
Jill Clough-Johnson of Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC/Brookhaven National Laboratory - Upton, NY

SBA New York District Office National 2016 Subcontractor of the Year
F. Xavier Fleming of Sound Roof Systems Ltd. - Williston Park, NY

Monday, April 18, 2016

Parking App Targets Local Cable Guy, Electrician, Other Commercial Drivers



SpotPog, which connects drivers with a parking space with drivers looking for one, has teamed up with every borough's Chamber of Commerce to convince people to use the app.

You can find the original article by visiting Crain's New York Business

By Matthew Flamm


SpotPog, a free app for swapping public parking spots, launched in New York with some fanfare last June and then seemed to disappear. Its founder is now preparing a new initiative for the app, this time with a specific user in mind.

Instead of trying to sign up just about anyone with a car who needs a parking space, Manhattan-based SpotPog founder Jacques Blinbaum is targeting people whose livelihoods depend on finding a spot during the day: the city’s thousands of commercial drivers. Blinbaum, with the support of the chamber of commerce in each of the five boroughs, is seeking out electricians, plumbers, cable guys, contractors and the supervisors of commercial van fleets to build a critical mass for the app. A pilot program is set to begin in the coming weeks as drivers come on board.

"There really is a need in New York for this kind of crowd-sourced parking app," Blinbaum said. "The biggest value is for commercial users. For them, driving around in circles is about missing out on a job."

SpotPog's first year was a good learning experience for Blinbaum, who is CEO of the Brazilian electronic payments firm F2b, which he founded in 1998. He realized that the app, which shows nearby users available parking spots on a map, has worked best within small, closed communities: SpotPog has been very successful among students at Queens College and health-care workers around hospitals.

Blinbaum added that he hopes the circles of intense users will eventually overlap and create a community that crosses the city. With F2b as a development partner, he also sees the app one day expanding in the U.S. and internationally.

Users are given a credit when they first sign up for the app. They then earn a credit by handing their space over to the first user who contacts him or her. The credit system is designed to incentivize drivers to post the spaces they're about to leave, since they'll need that credit for a space the next time they're searching for one.

Blinbaum says he's looking to build a user base and is not concerned right now with making money from SpotPog. The app also allows homeowners to rent out their driveways for parking, and SpotPog takes a cut of that transaction.

The company found a receptive ear at each chamber of commerce since parking is such a universal headache, not to mention a source of traffic congestion and air pollution in every borough. About 30% of traffic in the city is believed to come from people searching for a space.

Blinbaum acknowledges that he will need to educate users in order for the app to succeed.

"People have to understand there's a tipping point here," he said. "Short of the tipping point, they may get frustrated and not come back. They have to understand they have to build a solution, and they all have to work together to do it."

Correction: SpotPog allows homeowners to rent out their driveways for parking, and the firm takes a cut of that transaction. That fact was misstated in an earlier version of this article published online April 14, 2016.

Source: Crain's New York Business

Friday, April 8, 2016

MCC Welcomes Our New Members From March 2016

NameCompanyWebsite
Benjamin AgaraAgara Rug Cleaning NYCwww.rugcleaningnyc.com
James SheppardAllstate Insurance Co.www.allstate.com
Carla SterlingAmerican Cancer Societywww.cancer.org
Andrew WhiteAmeriprise Financial Services, Inc.www.ameripriseadvisors.com/andrew.white
Mark BevilacqueBevilacque Groupwww.proforma-bevgroup.com
Lisa PhillipsChristie Property Groupwww.christiepropertygroup.com
Alex LeykindCoAdvantagewww.CoAdvantage.com
Yelena BelaksCohnReznick LLPwww.cohnreznick.com
Sophia MarshallConvenewww.convene.com
Jackson KingCOP-USAwww.cop-usa.com
Alejandra EscobarEcono Lodge Times Squarewww.econolodgetimessquare.com
Brian PooleEncore Chiropracticwww.encorechiro.com
Caroline PetersenGallery Design Studiowww.gallerydesignstudio.com
Gerard GaffneyGJ Gaffney LLCwww.fractionalriskgmt.com
Alex OrtolaniIndeed, Inc.www.indeed.com
Paul VillanuevaIntelligent IT Designswww.IntelligentITDesigns.com
James HsuiJames Hsui, PLLCwww.jameshsuilaw.com
Jamil FialkoffJamie Fialkoff
Daniel RoseLock And Tech USAwww.lockandtech.com
Sara LasnerLyft, Inc.www.lyft.com
Stacie GreenMargaret O'Learywww.margaretoleary.com
Kanika JawaMBAFwww.mbafcpa.com
Kenneth PeshkinMetLifewww.metlife.com
Ken BiberajMorgan Barrington Associates
Horace BarkerMorgan Stanley Wealth Managementwww.morganstanley.com
Eric SiuMystery Room NYCwww.mysteryroomnyc.com
Yaniv MasjediNextivawww.nextiva.com/products/online-fax.html
Lauren LoganOrion Development Associates
Georgiana DancuPablo Baldini USAwww.pablobaldini.com
Andre NewsomePaychex Inc.www.paychex.com
Nicholas FosterPlaybillwww.playbill.com
Joell TanProfit Planners Management Incwww.profitplannersmgt.com
Drew SandholmQuontic Bankwww.QuonticBank.com
Daniel RoseR & J Capital Group LLCwww.getmemortgage.com
Romy RostRomy Rost Coachingwww.romyrost.com
SooHee LeeSanTech Global Corp.
Iris SalazarTaicoa Corp dba Micato Safariswww.micato.com
Tia HarridTLC With Tiawww.jointiab.info
Rob FriedmanTo Keep or Not to Keep
Aisha BensonTruFund Financial Services, Inc.www.trufund.org
Hun ParkUniversal English Center Corp.
Rory HaydenViridian Energywww.viridian.com/haydengreen
Tony Guarascio
Pavel Zustiak

MCC Thanks March's Renewing Members

NameCompanyWebsite
Ryan MasajoABN AMRO
Philip HermanAll Generations Entertainment
Domenic GuastaferroAlpha and Omega Theater Co. Inc.www.alphaandomegatheater.vpweb.com
Brandie EngelbergerAmerican Heart Associationwww.heart.org
Peter AckenAMINYCwww.aminyc.com
Kuldeepak AcharyaAnchin, Block & Anchin LLPwww.anchin.com
Karen MeyersAstoria Bankwww.astoriabank.com
Mindy DunniganAXA Advisors
Terrence MartellBaruch College, Weissman Centerwww.zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu
A PalmerBeekman Estatewww.thebeekmanestate.com
Licelle CobradorBhatta Law & Associateswww.bhattalaw.com
Bill GhitisBIAN International LLCwww.bianconsulting.com
Ilana YaariBlueprint Technologieswww.bptech-inc.com
Jessica PolizziBob Altavilla Interiorswww.bobaltavillainteriors.com
Kyah PatersonBridgehampton National Bankwww.bridgenb.com
Carlos Jusino-BerriosCarlos M. Jusino-Berrios M.D.
Jean-Philippe KrahmerColliers Internationalwww.colliers.com
Wendi Caplan-CarrollConstant Contactwww.constantcontact.com
Florence SommerCorcoran-Florence Sommer
Aaron ThompsonDIFT, LLCwww.darylroththeatre.com
Rob ByrnesEast Midtown Associationwww.eastmidtown.org
Frank SchurskyForrest Hill Financial Group
George AmatoFrank E. Campbell Funeral Chapelwww.frankecampbell.com
Scott EvenbeckGuttman Community Collegewww.guttman.cuny.edu/index.html
Lynette DeissH&R Blockwww.hrblock.com
Joseph GoldbergHodgson Russ LLPwww.hodgsonruss.com
Brian ChanlatteiCorps Technologieswww.icorps.com/it-services-nyc 
R.J. FolikInterconnected Technologies, LLCwww.iNTek-llc.com
Melissa KilpatrickIvy League Early Learning Academywww.ivyleagueearlylearning.com
Hirofumi SakaedaJaNetwww.japanesenetwork.org
Jen SlawJen Slaw Speakswww.jenslawspeaks.com
Jia KangJia Acupuncture & Chinese Herbswww.jiacupuncture.vpweb.com
Lauren Banyar ReichLBR PR
Lesia RuglassLesia M. Ruglass, Ph.D.www.lesiaruglass.com
Monica BlumLincoln Square BIDwww.lincolnsquarebid.org
James RefinoManhattanTechSupport
Ravi AuroraMasterCardwww.mastercard.us
Lindsey RodriguezMerchant Cash and Capital, LLCwww.merchantcashandcapital.com
Laura CapraMetropolitan Commercial Bankwww.metropolitanbankny.com
Adib KassisMiddle East Airlines
Bruce WhitacreNational Corporate Theatre Fundwww.nctf.org
Newelle McDonaldNewelle-Nesswww.mcdonald-fuld.myshaklee.com
George LenceNicholas & Lence Communicationswww.nicholaslence.com
Lauren LoganOrion Development Associates
Thomas FehnPeople's United Bankwww.Peoples.com
Osee BelvilusPrimerica Financial Services
Robbi MuirRobbi Muir Designwww.muir-design.com
Robert RussoRobert P. Russo, C.P.A. PCwww.robertprussocpa.com
Raimundo ArchiboldSchwartz Heslin Group
Scott WigleyScott Wigley Business Coachmgwww.Scottwigley.com
Kamu KILINCSKALA International Holding Inc.www.skalaholding.com
Ahvi SpindellSpindell Media Relations, LLCwww.spindellmediarelations.com
Pamela CoppolaStatewide Fire Corpwww.StatewideFireCorp.com
Josephine LongoTD Bankwww.tdbank.com
June KleinTechnology & Marketing Ventures Incwww.the-5th-estate.com
Jason DrewsThe New York DUI Expertswww.newyorkduilawyer.net
David PerecmanThe Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C.www.perecman.com
Renee LundholmThe Swedish-American Chamberwww.saccny.org
David FittsTime Warner Cable Business Classwww.timewarnercable.com
Dr. Ankur PrakashWell Balanced Chiropractic, P.C.www.wellbalancedchiropractic.com

Thursday, March 31, 2016

MCC Thanks February's Renewing Members

NameCompanyWebsite
Molly SlingerlandAltria Client Services, Inc.www.altria.com
Angel TineoAngel R Tineo,CFP
Nick Petkoff Better Brokers, LLC
Christophe Le GorjuBusiness Outreach Network
William NowottnyCentury First Credit Solutionswww.centuryfirst.net
Ernest ConradConrad Engineers
Daisy GallagherDeWitt UES Rehabilitation & Nursing Centerwww.cassenacare.com
Aubrey HaysDSI SVA
Frank ValenteFrank J Valente, DC, PCwww.midtown-chiropractor.com
Roger BaconHudsonPlattewww.hudsonplatte.com
Pedro GomezLegacy Restoration Metal Stone Wood, LLCwww.legacy-restoration.biz
Naini NakagawaMatchmyspirit Inc.www.matchmyspirit.com
Gerard ReinhardtReinhardt IPwww.ReinhardtIP.com
Ron BergaminiThe Action Environmental Groupwww.actioncarting.com
Sven OehmeThe European-American Business Organizationwww.eabo.biz
Daniele BaierleinThe Madison Square Garden Company
Kristin McDonoughThe New York Public Library - SIBLwww.nypl.org\sibl
Janice SandsThe Pen and Brush Incwww.penandbrush.org
Jack SchurskyUnited ARTs Presswww.unitedartspress.com
Bernard UhlfelderYorkville Newsstand