ALBION – The spring 2023 Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated nine entrepreneurs Tuesday night at the Lockstone, bringing the total number of graduates to 576 since the program started about 25 years ago.

MAP manager Diane Blanchard said she has given out nearly $1 million in grants to 50 start-up businesses since 2010.

Blanchard also announced she will be retiring in September, and no class will be held in the fall while she trains her successor. The new program manager will be announced in the near future.

“I’ve met so many people and made so many friends in the last 20 years,” Blanchard said. “But it was time to retire.”

She said she will miss seeing the new entrepreneurs get their dreams off the ground, but she is going to stay in touch.

Former county legislator Ken DeRoller was on the board when MAP was started in 1999 by the Orleans Economic Development Agency. He praised Blanchard for the work she has done with the program.

“She’s aggressive and she cares about people,” he said.

(Left) Former county legislator Ken DeRoller congratulates MAP leader Diane Blanchard on announcement of her retirement in September. She has led the program for nearly 20 years. (Right) Diego Russell, who graduated from MAP last year, shared his story of starting his own business at the age of 21 and having employees working for him.

DeRoller said how difficult it is to start a new business. He said out of the 576 who went through the Microenterprise Assistance Program, only 168 are still in business.

“Covid knocked the living daylights out of a lot businesses,” he said.

He said what a big impact small businesses make in the county with their unique ideas, such as dog walking, lawn services or crafting. Fifty percent of businesses fail without a business plan, and making a business plan is one of the important things taught in the MAP, along with marketing, he said. He added his encouragement to the graduates who chose to go into business in Orleans County, in light of school enrollment dropping and the population shrinking to about 38,000.

Spring graduates and their businesses are Linda Aguirre, crafter; Xhezide Bela, AN Homes; Nicole Brown, cat café/healing center; Kelly Fischer, Necka’s treasurers; Donald Greenough, business consultant/graphic designer; Terri Loessl, Doggie Day Care; David Robinson, land maintenance; Leann Sample, cleaning services; and Doris Vidal, Serenity Spa and Holistic Center.

Each graduate in attendance shared their business plan and goals for their new endeavor.

One was Donald Greenough who will provide business consulting and graphic design to new businesses at an affordable price. He also does branding, marketing, logo development, web development and social media.

Nicole Brown shared her struggles with two cancer scares and depression. She always liked helping others and after a life coach helped her get her life back, she decided to combine her love of cats and people into a Cat Cafe and Healing Center.

Terri Loessl will offer Doggie Day Care at her facility on Gaines Basin Road. She will dog sit, train dogs to play with other dogs and offer boarding. There is no other service like that in the county, she said.

Doris Vidal has 15 years experience in a spa and holistic healing. She and her husband Lionel Heydel have purchased the building at 438 West Ave. in Albion, where she opened Serenity Spa and Holistic Center on June 1. She provides holistic healing for males and female, along with rejuvenation and massages in a relaxing and serene setting, she said. She also offers yoga and Tai Chi.

Kelly Fischer has a store at 18 East Bank St., where her business Necka’s Treasurers buys and sells overstock merchandise.

“You never know what you’ll find here,” she said. “We sell everything at 50 percent of what the big box stores charge.”

Right now she has an abundance of blankets, sheets, pillows and small furnishings. She is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Fischer got into the business because her daughter runs a similar one in Kentucky and has done very well at it.

Spring graduates of the 2023 Microenterprise Assistance Program received their diplomas Tuesday night in a ceremony at Lockstone. From left are Terri Page Loessl, Don Greenough, Xhezide Bela, Nicole Brown, Kelly Fischer, Linda Aguirre and Doris Vidal.

Xhezide Bela and her husband Arden Fazliu demonstrated their new product, a microfiber towel that removes all smudges from glass surfaces. They are washable, she said, but the one she has been using for nine months has not been washed and is still doing a good job. Their business is AN Homes and towels can be purchased online.

Linda Aguirre hopes to start a creative arts business, selling art prints, postcards, greeting cards, bookmarkers and tee shirts. She will be selling her merchandise online.

Several alumni of MAP have kept in touch with classes since they graduated, coming back to share their successes with new classes. One graduate, Dorothy Daniels, has joined the program as a teacher.

Lynn Palmer has returned several times to share how MAP helped her start her Upscale Overstock business in Albion and a grant enabled her to buy added merchandise.

Margie Steffen opened a beauty parlor, Studio 11, at 21 East Bank St., after graduating from the spring 2021 MAP class. A grant allowed her to buy a barber chair and expand into men’s haircutting.

Dan Conrad has shared his business success with several MAP classes. He opened his Toyz n Kandy store on the corner of Platt and Bank streets in Albion and is in the process of moving to a bigger store next to 39 Problems on Main Street. He has also leased space in the newly renovated Webber Hotel in Lyndonville and will open a second store there.

“I graduated in the Fall 2021 class and received a $20,000 grant,” Conrad said. “I’ve been expanding ever since. Dorothy and Diane are the best people a business person could know. I still call them every week.”

Diego Russell, who graduated from the program last year, shared his success story Tuesday night.

“I am honored and pleased to be here,” he said. “I went through MAP and got a grant, which gave me all I needed to start my lawn care business. I’m 21 and now have employees working for me. I used to work at jobs like Walmart and Door Dash, and now I’m running my own business and hope to have another and another.”

HAMLIN – The spring class of the Microenterprise Assistance Program brought the number to 557 entrepreneurs who have completed the 10-week class that offers many pointers for building a successful business.

MAP is a program of Orleans Economic Development Agency. Diane Blanchard is administrator of MAP.

The graduates bring a variety of unique interests and the potential to create a thriving business in their community.

Graduates shared their goals and proposed businesses at Gallo’s Bar and Grill in Hamlin on June 14. Gallo’s is owned by Michelle and Rick Gallo, who offered to host the evening. Michelle is a graduate of the Microenterprise class and has become an instructor in the program.

Graduates and their proposed business are Delores Hansel of Albion, who owns Brush Strokes Studio in the Arnold Gregory Complex; Tiffany Allen, who wants to own a restaurant and bar; Rebecca Alexander of Albion, who is adding tailgate games and a restaurant to their existing business – Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza; Cassandra Brady, bakery; Chris Glogowski, the Coffee Joint; Erin Hills, a make-up artist; Deborah Prest, home décor; Amanda Vasquez, bakery; Jessica Skehan, an artist; Andrew LaFave, plastic recycling; and Kristen Ostrander, Bloom’s Flower Shop.

Each of the graduates shared their business plan and reasons for taking the Microenterprise Assistance Program.

Tiffany Allen shared her plans for a restaurant/bar.

Hansel purchased Brush Strokes from Tim Elliott of Medina. She enjoys ceramics and hopes to grow the business. She would like to do a summer camp for children and fused glass and eventually, pottery. She said wanted to gain a little more business acumen from the class.

“My goal is to become a full service art business for Orleans County,” she said.

Alexander and her husband already own Dubby’s Wood Fired Pizza and wanted learn more about the business end of running a bar and tailgate games.

“We will be a one-stop shop for food and fun,” Alexander said.

They are ready to open a restaurant in Albion and will be open Wednesday through Sunday and offer a full menu. All baked goods can be customized and made to order. They will cater to food allergies. She also wants to have cake decorating classes for adults and children. She took the class to get help with a business plan for their new venture.

Cassandra Brady took the class to help her and her friends Chacora Abrams and Amber Moss, who are running a bakery in their home, but would like a real store in Orleans County. Their specialty is custom cakes and desserts. When they started, Abrams said they knew they needed help on how to run a business.

Amanda Vasquez also wants to open a bakery and needs a certified kitchen. She hopes to work with customers in local towns. She would like to have a store front in Medina by 2024.

Tiffany Allen has been living in Hawaii for 18 years, but recently came home and is looking for a business that fits her lifestyle, she said. Her business will be called Mommy’s Kitchen and Daddy’s Bar and will feature home cooking, a rotating menu and a local delivery option.

Deborah Prest sells home décor and crafts.

Allen is confident she can run such a business with one person in the kitchen and one in the bar. Her goal is to provide an enlightening and unique dining experience. Her staff will be encouraged to learn something from every customer, she said.

Chris Glogowski opened The Coffee Joint at 59 North Main St. in Albion, with a partner, David Mogle. They will offer a variety of high-quality coffee and tea drinks. Manager of the business is Heidi Peterson. Glogowski is an Albion police officer and Mogle is the police chief.

Glogowski wanted to keep a coffee shop in downtown. In the future they plan to add smoothies, breakfast wraps, waffles and energy drinks. They also intend to have delivery and a drive-up service. Their hours will be expanded for the summer, he said.

Debbie Prest has been doing crafts and home décor for 20 years, but needed to know more about the business end, she said.

“I’m good at crafting, but not so good at the business stuff,” she said. “I knew creating a business plan was crucial to my goal.”

She has been doing a lot of sales on Facebook and at craft shows, but now will have her own brick and mortar store in back of Five Star Bank in Albion.

Erin Hills is a make-up artist who hopes to open a salon.

Jessica Skehan of Holley studied art and printing in college, but didn’t learn the business end, she said. She hopes to establish a business doing custom painting and selling prints of her original artwork online. She would like to have a store front within the next five years.

Erin Hills thought as a make-up artist she would have to live in a big city to be successful. She has discovered, however, she is in high demand in Orleans County for weddings, and has 69 booked. She also does lash extensions. She is confident she can make a six-figure income doing hair and make-up. Her goal is to have a salon by 2023 and a mobile unit after that.

Two other graduates were not able to attend the graduation. They are Kristen Ostrander, who owns Bloom’s Flower Shop in Albion, and Andrew LaFave, who plans a plastic recycling business.

Beth Miller, a former MAP graduate, returned to share her success with the class. She had lost her job with Covid hit about two years ago and took the class to prepare for opening her own business. Dorothy Daniels encouraged her to open her store Wild Flour Deli & Bakery in Albion last fall.

A $21,000 grant through MAP enabled her to build a dining room at 438 West Ave. She has since expanded and added equipment.

“In one month I made as much money as I had anticipated making in five months,” Miller said.

She said the MAP class was overwhelming at first, but turned out to be very beneficial. She was recently voted one of the top five deli-bakeries in Western New York.

Anyone interested in taking the next MAP course can contact Blanchard at dblanchard@orleansdevelopment.org or by calling (585) 589-7060.

Heather Manella attended the Microenterprise Assistance Program to gain assistance in opening a bakery in Albion. She is one of 12 graduates from the latest MAP class.

ALBION – The latest class of graduates from the Microenterprise Assistance Program brings a variety of innovative businesses to the table, said Diane Blanchard, who manages the Microenterprise program for the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

Nine of the 12 graduates attended graduation ceremonies at the Village Inn last week and shared their plans for new businesses.

This class brings the number of graduates to 518 who have gone through the program since it started in 1999.

Several graduates shared their business plans with the class, including Heather Manella. She is the owner of How Sweet it is Bakery. She is a self-taught baker who enjoys learning new things and taking on new challenges. She has a passion for feeding people good homemade food.

Born and raised in Norman, Okla., Manella and her family moved east to be near her husband’s aunt. She fell in love with the quaint village of Albion and the amazing New York summers, she said.

Manella will be operating out of the certified kitchen at Lockstone Events and Weddings on Main Street in Albion, until she is able to open her own kitchen.

Greg Drake is a handyman who plans to open Drake’s Home Improvement. He offers a wide variety of services, including plumbing, electrical, drywall repair, gutter cleaning, furniture assembly, heavy lifting, interior and exterior painting and pressure washing.

“Whatever your needs are, Drake’s Home Improvement can help,” he said. “If the job is too big or out of the scope of our services, I will work with you to find a contractor to fit the job.”

Greg Drake plans to open a handyman business in Orleans County.

His hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays as negotiated. His targeted customers are anyone needing handyman services, from home owners to property management companies.

His philosophy is to treat every customer as his most important customer.

Jacqueline Chinn also feels her anticipated business, Credit Clarity, which offers credit counseling, credit repair and credit building, is one which is badly needed in Orleans County.

“Orleans County has a lot of low-income families and individuals on public assistance,” Chinn said. “I’d like to work with them to develop a budget and show them how to stay on a budget. Everyone deserves an opportunity to become independent.”

Lynn Palmer of Middleport plans to open an overstock store on Main Street in Medina.

“Much like Ollies and Big Lots, Upscale Overstock will sell brand name general merchandise at less than retail prices,” Palmer said. “This will allow customers to purchase merchandise they may not otherwise be able to afford.”

Palmer’s goals for her business are to grow the business enough to move into her own building, be able to hire approximately five employees and to sell online. She will initially open Nov. 29 at 339 North Main St., the space formerly occupied by Zambito Realty.

She feels her chances of success are wonderful, since there aren’t any companies like this in Orleans County.

Palmer has five years of college under her belt, as well as 13 years experience as a supervisor in the retail department at Darien Lake, six years of business management experience, two years of retail experience at Dollar Tree and one year at Walmart.

Her daughter Samantha will work in the store on days Palmer has to work at Walmart. Samantha is also a crafter and many of her crafts will be for sale in the store.

Palmer will also utilize her store to promote worthy causes in the county. On opening day, customers who bring in supplies to donate to PAWS can enter to win a Christmas Movie Night raffle basket.

Other graduates were Andrea Dames, who plans to run a chicken and ribs food truck; Karen Boston, Paparazzi jewelry consultant; Brad and Rachel Hafner, B&R Trailer Repair and Fabrication; Dawn Dewey, D&H Welding and Repair; and Josh and Chelsea Smith, Relentless Construction.

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Brian Alexander checks the temperature of the oven in his mobile wood-fired pizza truck during a demonstration for graduates of the latest MAP class.

ALBION – The latest class to graduate from Orleans Economic Development’s Microenterprise Assistance Program bring a wide variety of new business ideas to the table.

With Diane Blanchard as manager of the Microenterprise Assistance Program, nine of the 11 graduates shared their business plans during graduation Tuesday night at the Village Inn.

Also attending the graduation were Richard Petitte and Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Center; Jon Costello, a SCORE mentor; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; and Paul Hendel, chairman of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

A former graduate of the class, Laura Kemler, with her husband Kevin, talked to the class about how MAP helped her grow a successful business on Main Street in Albion, selling her hand-crafted, kitchen-inspired goods.

She advised graduates to use their mentors for advice.

“Find someone in your field who has gone before you,” she said. “Try and find wholesalers for all your products and make sure your customer service is stellar.”

Rick and Michelle Gallo of Holley, who graduated from MAP a year ago, were also on hand to share their good news. After taking the MAP class, they opened a very successful hauling business, and just a few weeks ago completed the purchase of a junkyard.

“Because of what I learned in the Microenterprise class, I wrote a business plan which blew the pants off my banker and we got a loan for the junkyard,” Michelle said.

Diane Blanchard, manager of Microenterprise Assistance Program, talks to Michael Blosenhauer of Holley prior to graduation ceremonies Tuesday at the Village Inn. Blosenhauer is hoping to open a grocery store in his home town in coming months.

Graduates who shared their business plans were Michael Blosenhauer of Holley, who hopes to open a grocery store in his home town; Joseph Quill, who wants to expand the diesel repair shop he runs in Barre Center with his son Mike; Missy Rusin of Brockport, who proposes to run a record keeping and consulting business for child care providers; Lorie Soule of Waterport, with 30 years of experience as a notary public, who proposes a notary-on-demand service;

Natasha Wasuck, who with her husband John Hernandez, is opening a wedding/event venue and ice cream parlor on the Erie Canal in Albion; Jennifer Beherns of Scottsville, who has 14 years experience in medical billing and wants to start her own ambulance billing service; Lauren Blair, who was employed at the Whole Approach Health and Wellness Center in Holley and has now purchased the business; James Kusmierczak of Medina, who discovered the benefits of hemp after having pancreatitis and now hopes to begin by selling it online, followed by the eventual opening of a brick and mortar store; and Rebecca and Brian Alexander of Albion who have built a mobile wood-fired pizza truck.

The Alexanders brought their truck to the Village Inn, where MAP graduates got a first-hand look at the wood-fired oven and how as many as six pizzas can be cooked at once. They have used it in their back yard to cook everything from pizza to the Thanksgiving turkey, Rebecca said. They traveled to Colorado to learn the business and have spent the last six months perfecting their own recipes.

They plan to take the mobile pizza truck to farmers’ markets, private parties and special events.

Each of the graduates shared how much money they would need for start-up costs and what they hoped to borrow in low-interest loans.

Michael Webster and Dorothy Daniels also completed the MAP class but weren’t at the graduation ceremony.

Graduates of the recent Microenterprise Assistance Program posed for this picture during graduation ceremonies Tuesday at the Village Inn. Seated, from left, are Dick Petitte with the Small Business Development Center; Orleans Legislator Ken DeRoller; Diane Blanchard, manager of MAP; Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Center; and Jon Costello, a certified SCORE mentor. At rear are, from left, Lorie Soule, Michael Blosenhaur, Jim Kusmierczak, Joe Quill, Jennifer Beherns, Natasha Wasuck, Rebecca Alexander, Lauren Blair  and Missy Rusin.

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Skip Draper of Medina, left, an Orleans County legislator and member of Orleans Economic Development’s board, and Paul Hendel of Murray, chairman of the EDA board, watch as Diane Blanchard cuts the cake during the MAP graduation.

CHILDS – The Microenterprise Assistance Program graduated its latest class Tuesday night at Tillman’s Village Inn.

The 10 who received their diplomas brings the total of budding entrepreneurs to 495 who have gone through the program since its inception in 1999, said MAP manager Diane Blanchard.

“Taking the Microenterprise Class enables new start-ups to access expert consultants from the start of their business to when they open and thereafter to keep their business going,” Blanchard said. “The course covers all aspects of operating a small business, including going into business, taxes/financial statements, legal/business law, budgeting/record keeping and marketing.”

The program is run through the Orleans Economic Development Agency. Consultants help MAP students develop a business plan. Those consultants include John Costello with SCORE, Sam Campanella with the Small Business Development Center in Brockport, and Dick Petitte, an adviser with the SBDC and teacher of small business management and entrepreneurship at Brockport State College.

MAP sponsors two 10-week classes per year, and the ideas for new businesses never ceases to amaze Blanchard, she said.

Tuesday’s graduates included Courtney Allchin of Albion, who got the idea for a clothing boutique as a stay-at-home mom; Ashley Casanova of Lyndonville, who has purchased Fastan in Medina; Katrina Chaffee of Lyndonville, who plans to open an Early Head Start child care program; Heather Colella of Clarendon, who with her family operates a hauling and excavating business; Gabrielle Gugino of Brockport, who plans to open a drop-in child day care facility; Laura Kemler of Albion, whose business is Vintage Inspired Gifts; Will King of Medina, a personal trainer who hopes to attract teens, young professionals and families with children to his business; Julie Sanford of Albion, who sells custom vintage lamps; Tiffany Smith of Albion, who operates the only local gym which offers 24-hour fitness; and William Young of Albion, who runs a machine shop.

Ashley Casanova and her husband Jose of Lyndonville sit at the Microenterprise Program graduation, where Ashley shared her plan for success after purchasing Fastan Tanning Salon in Medina.

The graduates shared their business plan and why they chose that particular business.

Heather Colella, who has owned DC Hauling and Excavating with her husband for eight years, said they were both unemployed and running out of options when they decided to invest their last $3,500 to go into business for themselves. They started out doing snow plowing, and within seven months, made a profit.

Heather Colella of Clarendon shared her success story during the MAP graduation.

Four years ago, she got her woman-owned business certification, and this year they are on track to do $1.5 million in revenue.

This month they will hire their first year-round, full-time employee. They plan to use a $25,000 loan from Economic Development to buy a 10-wheel dump truck to be able to operate more efficiently.

Rick and Michelle Gallo, who graduated from MAP in the June class, returned to tell their success story to the class. She had been working for Dunkin’ Donuts and helped open their stores in Medina and Albion when they decided to go into business for themselves. Their idea was to develop a business their kids would some day take over.

They began by towing cars and collecting scrap metal. As their business progressed, they had to rent two storage locations, one in Orleans County and one out of the county. They are working to obtain contracts with AAA and Onstar.

“Your mentor in this class is everything,” Michelle said. “I call him two or three times a week.”

She also said the connections made through the class are priceless.

“You meet new people and bounce ideas off each other all the time,” she said. “Having a mentor and relationship with EDA is invaluable.”

“This EDA is the big brother you always wished you had,” Rick said.

Graduates from MAP are eligible to apply for grants when they are available, Blanchard said.

“I love that the program makes dreams come true for these entrepreneurs,” she said.

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