New York SBDC

09/30/2026

Hands-On Experience: A SUNY Internship Spotlight

During their time with our Communications and Marketing team, Emily Payne and Thomas Meal brought their skills, creativity, and fresh perspectives to projects supporting the statewide NYSBDC network.

As our Graphic Design and Marketing Intern, Emily contributed to a range of creative projects. After spending the summer working at Chautauqua Institution, she is returning to SUNY Fredonia this fall.

Thomas completed his Communications Internship with us while studying at SUNY Brockport. He has since graduated and is beginning his professional career with hands-on experience in communications and statewide small business support.

These paid internships were made possible through SUNY - The State University of New York’s Internships, Employer Partnerships, Apprenticeships & Workforce Development program, supporting Chancellor John B. King Jr.’s broader goal of expanding access to high-quality internships and other experiential learning opportunities. Thank you to Chris White, SUNY Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Upward Mobility, for helping coordinate these opportunities for our team.

In a recent interview with our Finger Lakes Small Business Development Center, Chris shared more about SUNY’s success in scaling work-based learning opportunities and his vision for strengthening connections between SUNY students and Small Business Development Centers across New York: https://www.sbdcbrockport.org/community-stories/meet-christopher-white-the-suny-vice-chancellor-for-workforce-development-and-upward-mobility

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

A quick photo from Atlanta! Kevin McGoldrick and Renee Goodnow joined our State Director, Sonya Smith, after leading their session today at America's SBDC's Annual Training.

Our team is joined this week by colleagues from across the New York SBDC network and the national SBDC network. There's plenty more learning and connecting ahead, and we're looking forward to bringing new ideas and resources back to New York's small-business community.

09/25/2026

⭐ Turning experience into opportunity: celebrating Danielle King, 2026 Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year

Earlier this summer, our Annual Client Awards Roadshow stopped in Penfield at Skyn Therapy Wellness Spa, where Danielle King was recognized with one of this year’s awards.

A U.S. Army veteran, LPN, and licensed esthetician, Danielle brought her healthcare experience and interest in skin health into entrepreneurship. After her own difficult experience seeking treatment for a chronic skin concern, she saw an opportunity to create a different kind of skincare business, one centered on education, thoughtful care, and long-term skin health.

At the celebration, our State Director Sonya Smith shared, “Danielle recognized an opportunity to provide specialized products and services for consumers whose unique skincare needs have not always been adequately represented or addressed within the broader beauty and wellness industry. She took that opportunity and turned it into a business with the potential to educate, serve, and grow.”

Danielle strengthened her business foundation with support from the Finger Lakes Small Business Development Center and Business Advisor Chloe Anderson, completing a business plan, developing financial projections, and clarifying her long-term strategy. Today, Danielle is preparing for the next phase of the business through Temple Wellness by Skinmuvaa, with plans to expand services, production capacity, and pursue new growth opportunities.

Chloe and Finger Lakes SBDC Regional Director Lindsay Ward were there to celebrate Danielle and this achievement. Additional thanks to Assemblywoman Jennifer Lunsford, Rohma Khan from the Office of New York State Senator Samra G. Brouk, Laura Heltz of Veterans Outreach Center, and Amy Guptill, PhD, of SUNY Brockport for joining us in recognizing Danielle.

Congratulations again to Danielle King, Skyn Therapy Wellness Spa, Chloe Anderson, and the Finger Lakes SBDC on this well-deserved recognition!

09/23/2026

🔐 From a garage startup to more than 1,500 installations: congratulations to Jawad Khalfan and SecureTech Systems, LLC, our 2026 Next-Gen Entrepreneur of the Year!

Last week, our Annual Client Awards Roadshow stopped at SecureTech Systems in West Hempstead to celebrate Jawad Khalfan and the growth of the business he launched in 2020.

Over the past several years, Jawad has continued to evolve SecureTech Systems, shifting from a heavier focus on residential work to commercial security projects and positioning the company for larger opportunities.

That ability to adapt and plan for what comes next is at the heart of this year’s recognition. Our State Director Sonya Smith, who presented the award, shared, “Several years ago, SecureTech Systems was more heavily focused on residential projects. Jawad recognized the opportunity to reposition the company and expand into the commercial market. Today, the business is increasingly focused on commercial security system installations and is continuing to build the experience and capacity needed to compete for larger opportunities.

The Next-Gen Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes entrepreneurs who are not simply building businesses for today, but are positioning their companies for the opportunities of tomorrow. Jawad represents that next generation of business ownership—strategic, persistent, willing to adapt, and continually looking for ways to grow.”

Jawad has continued strengthening the business and preparing SecureTech Systems for larger opportunities with support from Robert “Bob” Harrison and the Long Island Stony Brook Small Business Development Center hosted by Stony Brook University. Bob and Regional Director Willa Smith were also there to celebrate Jawad and this achievement.

Additional thanks to Troy Diaz of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Gina Coletti, Chairperson of our New York SBDC Advisory Board, for joining us in celebrating Jawad.

Congratulations again to Jawad Khalfan, the SecureTech Systems team, Bob Harrison, and the Long Island Small Business Development Center (Stony Brook) on this well-deserved recognition!

09/23/2026

27 jobs supported in Kingston.

When Whitney Hall, Michael Quinn, and Lauren Radel acquired Blue Mountain Bistro-to-Go, they retained all 22 existing jobs and created five additional positions, including roles for the new owners.

With support from the Mid-Hudson/Catskills Small Business Development Center, the ownership team prepared a business plan and financial projections and secured financing through the Catskill Watershed Corporation to purchase the business and property.

09/22/2026

Growing Through Change: Spin & Learn 🏓

In 2020, schools and communities were searching for creative ways to keep students active and engaged. Professional table tennis athlete and educator Yasiris Ortiz saw an opportunity to help.

She founded Spinandlearn Inc. to combine table tennis with academic support, physical fitness, social-emotional learning, and leadership development. Her goal was to use the sport to help students build focus, confidence, discipline, and teamwork.

Launching during the pandemic also brought challenges related to funding, planning, financial management, and navigating changing opportunities while keeping the business’s mission moving forward.

Yasiris began working with the Bronx Small Business Development Center and Business Advisor Patrick Saul in 2020. Through one-on-one advisement and business education workshops, she strengthened her business plan, completed a Business Model Canvas, improved her financial management skills, and developed a clearer growth strategy. The center also provided pandemic-related guidance, including information about New York City COVID recovery grants and eligibility requirements.

With continued guidance from the Bronx SBDC, Spin & Learn expanded into multiple New York City public schools, developed community partnerships, and positioned the business for future funding and growth. In 2025, the Bronx SBDC recognized Yasiris with its Rising Star Award.

The planning, financial guidance, and ongoing support Yasiris received helped her expand the business while staying focused on its original mission of creating opportunities for young people through sports and education.

09/21/2026

Employee Appreciation Spotlight: The NYSBDC Central Office Team

Today, we’re turning the camera around to recognize the team supporting NYSBDC’s statewide work.

From coordinating programs and professional development to providing research, communications, technology, administrative, and operational support, our Central Office team works behind the scenes to help regional centers stay connected and equipped to serve New York’s entrepreneurs.

We don’t always have the opportunity to gather in one place, so we had a great time being together in Western New York for the recent NYSBDC Regional Symposium and managed to capture a group photo while we were there.

We appreciate the care, expertise, and collaboration each team member brings to the network every day.

Front row, from left: Frances Villavicencio, Brenda Kilianski, Martha Po***ck, Sonya Smith, Kelly Valmore, and Renee Goodnow.
Back row, from left: Kari Coleman, Alexis Bhagat, Kevin McGoldrick, Al Scher, Josée Fonseca, and Gerianne Stevens.

09/17/2026

Be the Business that Survives the Disaster: The First 72 Hours & Road to Recovery

Webinar registration: https://nysbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/1020253

A disaster can disrupt your business in an instant. Learn practical steps to prepare critical operations, stabilize your business during the first 72 hours, and move toward long-term recovery.

Join Rafael Linero Rivera, Recovery Coordinator with SBA Region 2, and Mike Semel, President and Complianceologist at Semel Consulting, for guidance and free resources to help your business respond with greater confidence.

September 22 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. EDT
Online | No fee