The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is merging with the Creative Economy (ACE) in an effort to expand on the economic development endeavors of both organizations.ACE was founded in 2016 to advocate and help grow the “creative industries,” which have now become the fourth largest employment sector in the Capital Region, generating over $1.4 billion in earnings in 2017, according to development officials.
Holly LeBihan Realizes A Longtime Dream As She Opens Her ‘Images By Holly’ Business
Courtesy Images by Holly Ann
By Jill Nagy
Photographer Holly LeBihan realized a long time dream when she opened Images by Holly Ann, her new photography studio at 206 Glen St. in Glens Falls, in mid-May.
After raising her three children, LeBihan returned to school in 2010, earning an associate degree from SUNY Adirondack and a bachelor’s degree at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. After that, she spent two years building her portfolio, moving around as the demands of her husband’s job required, and taking photographs on location, whether at schools, in clients’ homes, or out of doors.
Now, she has a studio on the fourth floor of the Covin Building.
“It’s nice to have consistent lighting,” she said. She looks forward to getting established.
Her work is primarily portrait photography, particularly of children and family pets.
“I love children,” she said, “My heart is drawn to kids.”
Started In Her Home, Woman’s Doughnut Making Business Is Continuing To Grow
by Andrea Palmer
Natascha Pearl-Mansman is finishing her first year in business as Darling Doughnuts, and is pleased with the popularity of her company.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but it wasn’t until after the birth of my daughter that I took the leap and started my own business,” said Pearl-Mansman. “I suppose I spent too much time watching baking competitions on TV while I was up at all hours of the day and night with a newborn. I’d sit there and wonder how all these people were lucky enough to be doing that for a living. I realized you can’t sit around and wait for the perfect time to start something, that you have to just get up and go for it.”
Four Area Companies Get SBA Awards For Innovation, Sales And Employment Growth
Courtesy SBA
Two local small businesses in Warren County and two in Washington County were recognized in May at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 21st Annual Small Business Excellence Awards luncheon in Albany.
Small businesses are selected for the Excellence Awards based on their company’s longevity, innovation, sales growth, increased employment, ability to overcome adversity or community contributions.
Wendy Waldron Coaches Business Teams To Meet Goals And Develop Accountability
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Wendy Waldron has taken her years of experience and success and created her own consulting firm that reaches clients from Albany to the Adirondack Mountains.
WaldronWorks officially launched in March of this year with a soft opening a few months prior. The firm took on their first client in December, providing operations leadership.
Originally from Queensbury, Waldron said family roots in the area that go back for generations is one reason she wanted to open up her business in the area that she loves, the Adirondacks.
“I love strengthening our community and local economy by supporting our entrepreneurs,” said Waldron.
Wiawaka House In Lake George Serves As A Retreat And Also A Venue For Special Events
Courtesy Wiawaka Holiday House
by Andrea Palmer
Wiawaka Holiday House in Lake George has a new executive director, Doreen Kelly.
Kelly served on the board of directors for four years prior, and was most recently board president before stepping down to go through the interview process for executive director.
“I grew up in Glens Falls but like most people, didn’t know a lot about Wiawaka. As soon as I became involved a few years ago, I fell in love with the mission, the values and the vision,” said Kelly.
Wiawaka Holiday House is coming into its 116th year. It is the only continuously operating women’s retreat in America. Guests from all over the country come for respite, workshops and events. The property can be booked for events such as weddings and family reunions.
DDM Generation Helps Companies Optimize Their Utilization Of Websites And Internet
Courtesy DDM Generation
By Christine Graf
Queensbury digital marketing company DDM Generation was launched in March by Albany native Jenna Clark.
Before opening her own company, Clark worked at a search engine marketing company in New York City. She also worked for a New York City startup that launched a mobile ordering app for pizzerias. After several years of working in the city, she decided to move back to the area to start her own business.
“Entrepreneurship has always been a passion of mine,” she said. “I knew it was time to pursue what I truly love and that is helping businesses grow.”
Northern River Family Of Services Launches Mental Health Program For Local Counties
Courtesy Northern River Family Services
Northern Rivers Family of Services has launched its new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program to serve Warren and Washington counties.
ACT is an intensive community-based, client-centered program developed to serve adults age 18 and older who experience a serious and persistent mental illness that makes functioning in the community difficult for them.
Glens Falls Hospital And Fort Hudson, A Senior Care Group, Align For Better Services
Glens Falls Hospital and Fort Hudson Health System have developed a new model of care for patients that officials claim will more effectively integrate acute and post-acute services.
The jointly developed program, known as the Partnership for Better Health, targets patients at Glens Falls Hospital who require short-term rehabilitation or home health care and have risk factors which increases their chance of future hospitalizations.
Eastern Heating And Cooling Becomes Part Of 12-Company Group: Comfort Systems USA
Courtesy Eastern Heating and Cooling
By Jill Nagy
In the late 1990s, when acquisitions fever was high, a group of venture capitalists made an offer to Fred Giardinelli, owner of Eastern Heating and Cooling, a thriving company that does work throughout the Capital District, including the Glens Falls and Saratoga areas: They would buy his company, but he would continue to operate it.
He accepted the offer, as did enough other business owners, to form a 12-company conglomerate that is now Comfort Systems USA, a national company listed on the New York Stock Exchange that has some $2.1 billion in annual revenues.