In this conversation, Felicia Lynn, owner of Hometown Board Shop in Glens Falls, shares her journey from a passionate snowboarder and ski instructor to a business owner. She discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of community engagement, and her plans for the future of the shop. Felicia emphasizes the significance of mentorship and building a supportive team while navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship in the outdoor sports industry.

Key Takeaways

• Felicia has been involved in snow sports since childhood.
• The idea for Hometown Board Shop stemmed from a lack of local snowboard shops.
• Community engagement is crucial for the success of the shop.
• Starting a business requires a lot of planning and support.
• Mentorship can significantly impact a new business owner's confidence.
• Balancing customer service with backend operations is challenging.
• Finding the right team members is essential for business growth.
• Felicia's family plays a supportive role in her business.
• Safety and education in sports are important topics for the community.
• The future of Hometown Board Shop includes expanding product offerings and community events.

More Information

• Hometown Board Shop
• Ann Donnelly Success Stories
• Ann Donnelly Fractional COO

In this episode, host Ann Donnelly meets Jason Tyler, the Eastern New York Market Lead for Stark Tech. As a new member of the Adirondack Chamber, Jason shares how Stark Tech is transforming from a traditional temperature control company into a powerhouse of holistic building solutions and energy management.

With energy costs rising and New York’s regulatory landscape shifting, businesses are facing unprecedented challenges in keeping their facilities efficient and resilient. Jason discusses how his team acts as "master integrators," helping everyone from K-12 schools to large-scale commercial facilities navigate these complexities.

• The Evolution of Stark Tech: Learn about Stark Tech's 2021 acquisition of the long-standing Technical Building Services (founded in 1981) and how they have expanded to nearly 1,000 employees across 16 offices.

  
  

• A Holistic Approach to Integration: Stark Tech doesn't just provide equipment; they manage the entire lifecycle from planning and execution to long-term servicing. They specialize in building automation, energy solutions, and even security and access control.

  
  

• Navigating Energy & Regulations: Jason dives into the challenges of New York's changing regulations—including the shift away from gas— and how businesses can find the most economical paths forward.

  
  

• The "Invisible" Energy Hogs: Discover why heating and cooling systems are the biggest energy offenders and how the modern reliance on computing and mobile devices is impacting building electrical usage.

  
  

• Building Resiliency: In a region prone to power outages, Jason explains how strengthening building systems can protect expensive equipment and allow business owners to focus on what they do best.

  
  

"Stark Tech's success is tied to our client's success. If we're not ensuring that our clients are successful, we're not doing our job right." — Jason Tyler

Stark Tech prides itself on being a partner that "walks alongside" the client, leveraging decades of experience to phase out aging equipment and integrate new, cost-saving solutions. They also help businesses navigate the world of incentives, rebates, and grants to make these upgrades financially feasible.

More Information:

• Stark Tech
• Ann Donnelly Fractional COO
• Ann Donnelly Building Success Stories

In this episode, Ann speaks with Alex Bodensieck of AVB Taxes, who shares his journey into accounting and taxation. He discusses his passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of tax returns, particularly in rental real estate and small businesses.

Bodensieck emphasizes the importance of client communication and experience, as well as the need for tailored tax strategies. He also shares his future growth plans and the significance of networking in building his client base.

Throughout the discussion, Bodensieck highlights the challenges clients face and how he aims to provide solutions that alleviate their tax-related stress.

Key Takeaways

• Bodensieck started AVB Taxes to help clients navigate tax complexities.
• He finds personal tax work more rewarding than audit work.
• Rental real estate is a significant niche for his business.
• Small businesses often struggle with tax compliance and bookkeeping.
• Alex emphasizes the importance of client communication and experience.
• He aims to double his client base in the coming year.
• Quarterly tax payments are crucial for avoiding penalties.
• Networking has been key to building his client base.
• He provides tailored advice for clients looking to buy homes.
• Alex enjoys the creative aspects of running his own business.

More Information

• AVB Taxes
• Alex Bodensieck on LinkedIn
• Ann Donnelly Fractional COO
• Ann Donnelly Building Success Stories