Jenniffer Bleakley and her Hand In Hand Early Childhood Center applied for a NYS Office of Children and Family Services state grant, which was awarded to expand her childcare center. After receiving the grant award, it was rescinded and taken back after a technicality. At this time, she and her team had already started planning her business expansion and were working towards offering more childcare to Lewis County residents.
In her former information technology roles, Todd Rennae Boone witnessed a wide digital divide. “I worked with young people in marginalized communities,” she explained. “What struck me was that the only difference in learning wasn’t their ability, but the resources to which they had access.”
Fueled by a desire to bridge this gap, Todd launched nTechQuity Community Learning, a unique initiative fostering intergenerational learning. At nTechQuity, she matches tech-savvy kids up with not-so-tech-savvy seniors, and the knowledge shared and the relationships forged are transformative.
When Megan Cook acquired Java Moon in December 2021, her intention was to preserve the cherished legacy of the historic business in downtown Sheridan, while infusing it with a dynamic energy to propel it forward. For years, Megan had dreamed of owning a business downtown with a communal ambience. “I wanted to create a welcoming vibe where people can come to gather, to meet with friends and enjoy great food,” she explains. The menu at Java Moon ranges from made-from-scratch pastries to hearty lunch options and bespoke catering.
Like many small business owners, Purvi Patel, a franchise owner of fast-casual Mexican grill Dos Bros, was struggling to keep her restaurant going during the pandemic. After attending a University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) class on small business funding and pandemic resources, Patel set up a meeting with UGA SBDC business advisor Nora Guzman to help guide her through the pandemic funding process.
Patel’s relationship with UGA SBDC in Rome has grown to focus on other areas of the business, from business financials and marketing plans to expanding catering options and streamlining the ordering process. Today, Dos Bros has added two more franchise locations and has seen a significant growth in revenue.
“I helped them navigate how to get funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and helped them figure out the loan forgiveness process, but our relationship has expanded since,” said Guzman. “Anytime Purvi has business-related questions, she knows she can call me.”
Deborah Harris found herself at a crossroads when her husband, the founder of Pioneer Machine Technologies in Madison Heights, passed away suddenly in 2019. Determined to continue his legacy, Deborah stepped into the world of precision and custom machining. “I had no experience in this industry,” she admits, “Actually, I had never even stepped foot in this business.”