Learning the steps to success
Island professionals offer
advice on what it takes to successfully start or expand a business
Staten Island Advance - Friday, June 23, 2006
Business owners and potential entrepreneurs were inundated with
advice yesterday morning in an event co-sponsored by the Staten
Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) and the Small
Business Development Center (SBDC).
"Our goal, our mission, our reason for being is to
make sure you have what you need to succeed in business," Vin Lenza,
deputy director of the SIEDC, said of the organizations.
 The
event, "Steps to Success," held in the Renaissance, Grant City,
began with a breakfast and a pep talk from corporate trainer George
Stern.
Stern stressed the need for creativity in business.
"Whatever got you to your current spot in life isn't
good enough to keep you there," he said. "Successful businesses
think they have all the answers, but the questions change."
 Other
speakers had backgrounds in various fields, including marketing, law
and accounting. Dean Balsamini, director of the Staten Island SBDC,
said that it was beneficial to unite so many resources.
THE THREE C'S
Miguel Centeno, chief of marketing at the New York
Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), explained
some of the most important programs the SBA provides, which he
called "the three C's:" Capital, capacity building and contracts.
Linda Baran, president of the Staten Island Chamber
of Commerce, stressed Staten Island as a growing community and the
importance of giving back to the community.
Robert Scamardella, an attorney with Russo,
Scamardella & D'Amato, discussed the laws surrounding the regulation
of a small business, including how to avoid common liabilities, but
was also able to offer some words of encouragement.
"There's absolutely no substitute for hard work, and
those who work hard succeed," he said.
After a short break, the seminar split into two
sessions,, one focusing on financial needs and the other one legal
issues. This part of the seminar became more interactive, with a
panel of professionals fielding questions from attendees regarding
loans, trademarks and competition.
OVER 100 ATTENDEES
Business owner Anna Glynn, one of 101 attendees,
attended the seminar because she is looking to expand her business,
A. Glynn Properties Inc., Graniteville, which she has owned for 10
years.
"I didn't know all this assistance was here to help
me," she said.
Tina Costantino-Bellino, owner of Tina's Costume
Characters Inc., Annadale, attended the event after she received a
phone call about it. Although Ms. Costantino-Bellino has
successfully been in business since 1993, she says there is always
room for improvement.
"I don't know how they got my number, but I'm glad
they did," she said.
Susan Majewski is looking to open her own business,
and said that she was able to meet a lot of people and get a lot of
ideas.
"I thought it was one of the best seminars they've
had," she said. "A lot of the legal aspects were discussed, which
was probably helpful to a lot of people."
By Christina Lundy
Reprinted here with permission
from the
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