“It’s been a journey.  We have learned so much since the first time we started seriously talking about the possibility of becoming an owner/operator.  I have mentioned it on and off over several years – ok, the past 10-15 years.  I guess the timing was right this year.  The guidance and support we have received from Nancy of SEFP and SBDc, along with a few of our friends already in the industry and our family has been a key to our successful beginning.  We are so excited to get started.  Thanks so much!!” – Doug Finnell

“Bus transit was a business that the members of the CDC knew little about, but with the help from Nancy Larsen of the SEFP the Canistota Area Bus will haul its first load of passengers on April 7, 2015.  Nancy spent countless hours assisting the CDC with the business plan and the 501(C)(3) status for the Non-Profit Corporation.  After nearly one year of planning the vision of a bus service will become a reality on April 1, 2015.  Thank to Nancy Larsen for her guidance throughout this process!!” – Chad Keller

“This has been a truly helpful experience and I am very grateful for SEFP for their free service to help.  Working through this with Nancy has taken all the overshelming aspects and eased them for someone who has never gone down this road before.  I learned it is not an easy thing to do, but it can be done with the right help.  I thank her so much for sticking by me through all the hard times where I wanted to give up, quoted Brandy Engels.”

Kym and I were talking one day and she told me that her dream was to open an online clothing boutique.  I told her I would go in with her and help her pursue this dream.  At the end of July we contacted SEFP to see what we needed to do to get this business started.  SEFP helped us come up with a business plan.  We officially opened our business on September 1. 2015.  You can shop at our store online at www.styledsistersboutique.com.  If you are from the area we are more than willing to meet you and show you the clothes we have to offer.  We are so excited about our store and look forward to getting more items.

“Hitting obstacles has made us more determined to try and get open.  Nancy at SEFP has helped us with getting
in touch with the health department, our business license and the business planning process.”

“I have three goals: awesome food, great service and great atmosphere, if I can accomplish those three things, the rest will fall into place.  Its been a quite a journey and a learning experience from ordering product to learning about minnows, but it is coming together.”

Robin Westhoff has a background in art with a degree in ad design.  She also owns a window blind business.  Entrepreneurship seems to run through her veins as she begins this new journey, “I have a degree in ad design, love to draw and can see so many different things you can do with metal.  There is a lot to learn about using the plasma cutter along with a computer but I have learned a lot already.”