Carlucci Hosts Business Forum For Women, Minorities (VIDEO)

What is the process of the M/WBE certification?
What’s the best way to set up a customer-friendly website?
What type of small business funding is out there for minorities or women?

Those are just a few of the questions that Senator David Carlucci addressed at a women and minority small business forum he hosted at Suffern Library on Thursday morning. He brought in the following guest presentations to give the public an overview of some of the free services and programs available to small businesses, especially for women and minorities in the county:

• Mark Rothenberg, district director of Rockland SCORE
• Kim Jacobs, executive director of Community Capitol Resources
• Joy Rosenzweig, associate director of Women Enterprise Development Center
• Tom Morley, director of Small Business Development Center
• Liz Kallen, PTAC program manager, Rockland Economic Development Corporation
• Melanie Powell, financial advisor for Merrill Lynch

Refer to the attached photos for more information and contacts for these individuals and their organizations.

“The goal of this seminar is to break down barriers and expand participation in state contracting while growing a more diverse business climate in New York State,” said Carlucci.

“It was very informative. I decided to come because I wanted to know what information is out there for small businesses, especially in this economy,” said Wellington Trenard, executive producer and owner of Paragon Image Studios in Spring Valley. “I wanted to know what government contracts are available to help minority businesses. There were a lot of resources today.”

The forum also touched ways businesses can become certified, maximize procurement opportunities, secure credit and navigate the statewide process.

 “We work with a lot of child care programs in the county and I wanted to come to bring useful information back for them,” said Jane Brown, executive director of Child Care Resources of Rockland. “Many are owned by women or minorities and this was very informative.”

“This is a unique chance for business owners—and those looking to launch a business of their own—to learn about resources that are readily available from New York State, economic development corporations, non-profit organizations and financial institutions,” said Carlucci. “I could not have organized this event without the help of our guest speakers and the Suffern Free Library.”

Catherine Gravino, of New City, came for information on possibly starting a business. She’s looking at maybe going into consulting since her background is pharmaceuticals.

“I’m taking a hiatus due to caretaking responsibilities. I’m interested in possibly starting a business myself,” she said. “I came to see what funding and programs are available. I didin’t realize that there were programs like this through the government.”