Cazenovia community survey results in a tie vote for first place
BY Jason Emerson
editor
The community vote was so close, the first Cazenovia Entrepreneur of the Year award ultimately was shared.
Out of a field of 13 nominees, there was a “nose-to-nose” final count which resulted in dual winners: Kelsey Ball and Sam Bender of Peaks Coffee Co. and McKenzie Hughes Houseman of Cazenovia Cutblock and Rt. 20 East.
The award announcement was made Wednesday night, March 29, after a networking event and panel discussion titled “The Entrepreneur Next Door,” hosted by Cazenovia College.
“It feels pretty great; we weren’t expecting it,” said Ball. She and Bender said they were pretty much speechless about it. “Thanks for the support, and glad we got to co-win with another awesome entrepreneur,” Bender said.
Houseman said she was “very excited” about the award. “I love that I get to share it with Peaks; they’re just awesome.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes the achievements of a Cazenovia Area entrepreneur who best exemplifies the following characteristics and qualities of entrepreneurship: starting and successfully managing one or more businesses; strong entrepreneurial mindset demonstrated through creative approaches; willingness to take risks; engages others; faces ambiguity with enthusiasm; leads others to new achievements; and, has had an impact on the community, industry, and employees. The winner was determined by 949 votes cast by local citizens.
The award was given by Cazenovia College with the support and collaboration of the Cazenovia College Alumni Association, the Cazenovia Area Community Development Association, Cazenovia Chamber, Cazenovia Republican and the Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College.
“When I reflect on the votes cast, I think it shows how much the community wants to support new entrants to the entrepreneurial market — not only to celebrate them but also to encourage all new entrepreneurs to ‘keep at it,’” said event organizer Professor Karin Bump. “Our intent for hosting the event and making the award is to inspire prospective entrepreneurs to toss their hat in the ring and join the entrepreneurial family.”
In addition to Houseman, Ball and Bender, nominees for the award included, Jasmeen Barnes, Erin Wheeler and Wendy Simes – Twig; Andrea Collella – From The Ground Up; Judith Hight – J.S Hight Fine Wine and Spirits; David Katleski – Empire Brewing; Amanda and Jon Kogut – Spruce Ridge Landscape and Design; Dan and Mary Margaret Kuper – The Hampton Inn; John Madden – John Madden Sales; Kevin and Kelly McGreevy – Cazenovia Bagel; Ben Reilly – Life of Reilley Distilling and Wine Company; Jeff and Linda Schoenfeld –Nelson Odeon; and Laura Slivinski – Designs by Elle.
The award announcement came after a 90-minute panel discussion with area entrepreneurs who tackled audience and moderator questions on topics such as how and why they started their businesses, the best way to get startup funds, the college classes they never took but wished they did, the challenges they faced running their businesses and their favorite aspects of being business owners. Panelists Katleski, McGreevy, Houseman, Reilley, Ben Giordano of FreshySites website design and Jackie Wilson of JES Apparel.
More than 100 people were present in Hubbard Hall on the Cazenovia College campus for the event, while many more watched on livestream.
To watch the panel discussion and award presentation in its entirety, visit the livestream website at livestream.com/cazenoviacollege/TheEntrepreneurNextDoor2017.
