North Country Small Business Development Center

North Country Small Business Development Center We help our clients with business plans, funding, e-commerce, marketing plans, social media, inventio

The New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Canton offers free direct counseling on a wide range of management and technical assistance services. We can help start-ups develop a business plan, assist existing businesses prepare to expand, help local businesses explore e-commerce options, lay out social media strategies, and offer resources for industry-specific topics. So whether you are a startup or an existing business, the SBDC can help build your business!

⚡ Small Business Owners: Ready to Make Your Business More Energy Efficient? Your energy costs can have a real impact on ...
09/06/2026

⚡ Small Business Owners: Ready to Make Your Business More Energy Efficient?

Your energy costs can have a real impact on your bottom line. If you’re thinking about making energy efficiency improvements to your business, now is a great time to learn how to prepare!

Join ANCA’s Small Business Energy Upgrade Initiative, supported by the National Grid Foundation, for a FREE webinar focused on helping small businesses prepare for energy efficiency upgrades and make informed decisions for their businesses.

📅 September 15th
⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
💻 Online Webinar

✨ Why attend?
Learn what you should consider before starting an energy efficiency project, explore ways to prepare your business for upgrades, and gain valuable information to help you take the next step toward a more energy-efficient and cost-conscious operation.

Whether you’re just starting to explore energy efficiency or already considering an upgrade, this webinar is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and prepare your business for what’s ahead!

👉 Learn more and view webinar details:
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fadirondack.org%2Fevents%2Fwebinar-preparing-for-energy-efficiency-upgrades%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmamboub%40canton.edu%7Ce48cc230b0c64801df4508df09e13c98%7C73a63130c8514ecba03fa8c307706a7a%7C0%7C0%7C639240535159864525%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FxWdR1DYY422ZFWZhMIL6AVm%2BaFTuQFGHvJsr1pkb88%3D&reserved=0

📢 Know a small business owner who could benefit from this information? Share this opportunity with them!

🎨 Cedar Street Studios: Keeping Art Alive in Saranac Lake!We are excited to celebrate the opening of Cedar Street Studio...
09/05/2026

🎨 Cedar Street Studios: Keeping Art Alive in Saranac Lake!

We are excited to celebrate the opening of Cedar Street Studios in Saranac Lake! When BluSeed Studios announced in early 2025 that it would be ceasing operations and selling its iconic blue building after nearly 25 years as a valued hub for local artists and creatives, ceramic artist Jazen Reuss knew she wanted to help keep the studios open for the community.

Having managed BluSeed’s ceramic studio since 2020, Jazen had firsthand knowledge of the operation and its importance to local artists. She decided to purchase the building and transition it into a for-profit business while preserving many of the services and resources artists had come to rely on.

With guidance from Business Advisor Michelle Collins at the North Country SBDC, Jazen developed a business plan and financial projections that helped her secure financing to purchase the building and launch Cedar Street Studios in March 2026.

Located along the Adirondack Rail Trail, Cedar Street Studios features an art gallery, three private studio spaces, a ceramics studio, and a fabric arts studio. Jazen also plans to open a retail space featuring work from local artists and art and craft supplies, with additional support for the arts community, including an artist-in-residence program, planned for the future.

The studio recently celebrated its grand opening with a gallery exhibition featuring local artists, with rotating shows continuing throughout the year.

Jazen’s journey is a wonderful example of how entrepreneurship, creativity, and community commitment can help preserve important local resources while creating new opportunities for artists and the community.

Congratulations to Jazen Reuss and Cedar Street Studios on this exciting new chapter! If you are in Saranac Lake, be sure to stop by and support the incredible local artists and creatives who make the North Country so special.

📍 Saranac Lake, NY
🕚 Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Going Global: How to Find Customers, Get Paid, and Reduce Export RiskWebinar registration: https://nysbdc.ecenterdirect....
09/04/2026

Going Global: How to Find Customers, Get Paid, and Reduce Export Risk
Webinar registration: https://nysbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/1020242

Learn about federal resources and strategies that can help your business identify export opportunities, connect with international partners, navigate international payment methods, and manage export-related risk.

Join John Tracy, Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service, and Jonathan Brady, Lead Business Development Specialist with EXIM Bank, along with Kellie Greene, Certified Senior Business Advisor with the North Central Small Business Development Center and current NASBITE International Vice President.

September 9 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. EDT
Online | No fee

Employee Appreciation Spotlight: Chloe AndersonAs a Business Advisor with the Finger Lakes Small Business Development Ce...
09/03/2026

Employee Appreciation Spotlight: Chloe Anderson

As a Business Advisor with the Finger Lakes Small Business Development Center, Chloe Anderson helps entrepreneurs turn their ideas into practical next steps. As an entrepreneur herself, she brings experience and empathy to the planning process, helping clients make informed decisions and build stronger foundations for growth.

This support has made a difference for Danielle King, owner of Rochester-based Skyn Therapy. Danielle was the 2026 Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year, and during the recent Client Awards Roadshow celebration, the two were able to reconnect.

After working together, Danielle shared, “The projections gave me a clear idea of where I’m going. They allow me to adjust direction as needed while staying aligned with my goals.”

Thank you, Chloe, for helping entrepreneurs move forward with greater clarity and confidence. You helped make this business journey and recent celebration possible.

This photo is from a recent NYSBDC staff training.

A Business Shaped by Resilience: Tulip’s Brunch House 🌷Before Tawn and Travis Bensink opened Tulip’s Brunch House in May...
09/02/2026

A Business Shaped by Resilience: Tulip’s Brunch House 🌷

Before Tawn and Travis Bensink opened Tulip’s Brunch House in Mayville, their family experienced a devastating fire that destroyed their home. The Mayville, Dewittville, and Westfield communities rallied around the family with fundraisers and support. The fire also took the life of their dog, Tulip, who later became the inspiration for the restaurant’s name.

When Tawn and Travis were ready to turn their restaurant idea into a business, they connected with the Southwest Region Small Business Development Center and Business Advisor Brian Rovegno.

They divided the work according to their strengths. Travis focused on operations, developing and pricing the menu with close attention to costs and profitability. Tawn focused on marketing and brand development, creating mood boards, logo concepts, and an identity for the business. Brian worked with them to strengthen their business plan, refine their financial projections, complete market research, and navigate the legal and regulatory steps involved in launching the business.

When their initial financing attempt was unsuccessful, they continued exploring other options and ultimately secured a line of credit through Community Bank, allowing them to move forward with opening Tulip’s Brunch House. After a strong first summer, they added catering and event hosting, helping generate activity and revenue beyond the primary summer season.

Named in memory of Tulip, the business carries forward a personal story of resilience and the community support that helped Tawn and Travis rebuild.

Every number in an Impact Report connects back to a person, a place, or a moment.Our Community Showcase closes this Augu...
09/01/2026

Every number in an Impact Report connects back to a person, a place, or a moment.

Our Community Showcase closes this August with a look at the faces, places, small businesses, and events that shaped the past year across the New York SBDC network. Together, these moments reflect the character of the communities we serve and the shared commitment to entrepreneurship that connects our work statewide.

View the 2025 Impact Report: https://bit.ly/NYSBDC_2025_ImpactReport_Community

Leaving a federal career to become a full-time entrepreneur was a major transition for Chelan Vanno. She had a clear vis...
08/28/2026

Leaving a federal career to become a full-time entrepreneur was a major transition for Chelan Vanno. She had a clear vision for The Portal Utica: a place where individuals, teams, and organizations could step outside their usual environments and approach growth and change in new ways.

Located in Utica’s historic Bagg’s Square district, The Portal Utica is a creative leadership and innovation studio offering strategic facilitation, immersive experiences, professional development, and wellness-based practices.

As the studio moved from build-out into early operations, Chelan faced the less visible work of turning that vision into a sustainable business. She worked with Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center Business Advisor James Willey to think through pricing, use of the space, and which early client opportunities could help establish the model.

When budget concerns arose around an early corporate engagement, James encouraged Chelan to treat it as a strategic pilot rather than reduce the experience itself. Chelan offered the first employer cohort a lower price while preserving the full immersion. The engagement led to additional work and helped demonstrate the value of the studio’s approach. Chelan also developed a three-month nonprofit intensive that became a long-term partnership, helping stabilize revenue and build visibility.

“Having the support of the SBDC made the transition from my federal career into full-time entrepreneurship feel significantly more stable,” Chelan shared. “As a small business owner, you’re often making decisions in isolation, and having experienced guidance makes a real difference.”

Entering its second year, The Portal Utica is continuing to grow through the same kind of thoughtful, intentional decisions that helped shape its launch."

Programs expand what business owners can learn. Partnerships expand what they can access.The Programs and Partnerships s...
08/27/2026

Programs expand what business owners can learn. Partnerships expand what they can access.

The Programs and Partnerships section of our 2025 Impact Report highlights 558 webinars and workshops reaching more than 11,123 attendees, along with 83 internal training events that strengthened knowledge across our network. It also brings together work in international trade, Grow with Google, entrepreneurship education, cybersecurity, and statewide collaboration.

Explore the section: https://bit.ly/NYSBDC_2025_ImpactReport_Programs

08/26/2026

⭐ August’s Gold Star Goes To… ⭐

Nicole Golden, Business Advisor at our Lower Hudson Valley Small Business Development Center!

Nicole’s colleagues recognize her for the leadership, initiative, and attention to detail she consistently brings to her work. She recently led the planning of a business accelerator initiative that supported more than 50 local entrepreneurs. She oversaw participant communications, coordinated judges and event logistics, developed program materials and resources, and provided individualized business advising throughout the program.

Nicole has also strengthened the center’s storytelling and visibility by coordinating a recent client success story video series. The videos give participating entrepreneurs professional content to share while helping the center bring their journeys and the impact of SBDC support to life.

Whether guiding entrepreneurs through an intensive program or helping clients share their stories, Nicole brings care and follow-through that extend the value of each effort well beyond the center.

Congratulations, Nicole, and thank you for all you do!

Address

SUNY Canton, Halford Hall
Canton, NY
13617

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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