December 15, 2020

New Website Raises Nonprofit’s Fundraising Efforts

Since 1969, tutors from Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County (LVCC) have provided a wide range of services to area residents including reading, finances, math, English language, technology and high school equivalency. With an estimated 25% of adults considered functionally illiterate in the county, LVCC’s mission is to transform individual lives and communities through the doorway of literacy.

Non-Profit Expert Helps Literacy Volunteers Turn a New Page

Chautauqua County has a high rate of immigrant workers, poverty, and illiteracy (an estimated 25%), so there’s a great need for the one-on-one adult tutoring services that Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County (LVCC) offers. But, Executive Director Julie LaGrow faces the same challenges many non-profits do, including running on a shoestring budget.

Golf Pro Encourages Vineyards to Modernize Operations

Because Vineyards Golf Course was formerly split into two separate and somewhat rundown nine-hole courses, owner Debbie Mancuso spent most of her $100,000 personal investment getting the now-18-hole course into playable condition. One of Debbie’s greatest challenges was letting the community know the golf course has new ownership and offers one cohesive experience.

November 1, 2020

Be a Part of the Small Business Revolution: 4 Ways to Support Your Local Small Businesses

Shorter days and a tellate chill in the air can only mean one thing: The holidays are right around the corner. November and December are traditionally a busy time for many small businesses. This year they need the holiday shopping rush more than ever. The holidays are always a time for both reflection and looking […]

February 21, 2020

Marketing Minute Series: Does Your Website Showcase Your Expertise?

Check out the first of many “Marketing Minutes” to come—videos that will share tips and tricks for small business owners, featuring highlights and never-before-seen footage from each season of the Small Business Revolution. 

May 24, 2019

Three Tips for Social Media Success

Social media has become a normal part of our everyday lives. It feels like everyone, young and old, is on social, finding new recipes from that influencer on Instagram or posting photos of their child on Facebook because their mom said their grandma and aunts want to see more. If both of my grandmothers, who are in their 80s, are on Facebook and social media channels, shouldn’t small businesses as well?

May 3, 2019

Shop Local, Support Small Business

Shop local. No, it doesn’t mean frequenting your local big box chain or mall to buy gifts for friends or family. When I think of shopping local, it means frequenting the gift store at the end of my block, or the independent coffee shop, and family-run restaurant.

April 29, 2019

Networking Yields Big Benefits to Small Businesses

Building your network and keeping those connections intact is integral to today’s business climate. And it is important for small businesses as well. Through networking, small business owners can not only find other like-minded people to connect with, but they can also leverage contacts to turn to for advice and mentorships.

April 15, 2019

Small Business Owners Offer Advice to Their Peers

What advice would you give to other small business owners? We asked that question as we traveled across the country in January, to the Top 10 towns as part of Season 4 of Small Business Revolution – Main Street.

April 13, 2019

Small Business Tips: Don’t lose your customers when you move

The sign in the window says your business has moved, but Google Maps is still sending your potential customers to your old location. More than once in the past few years a small business owner has told me they lost customers when they moved locations, and oftentimes it was because the internet didn’t get the news.