Category Archives: Entrepreneurial Women

By Ann Donnelly

Lisa Boucher, founder of HR Ninja, has built a unique business model that successfully merges decades of human resources experience with the discipline of martial arts. Based in Hudson Falls, Boucher established HR Ninja in May of this year, offering strategic guidance, compliance assistance, and project management primarily to small businesses and nonprofits.

The memorable name of her company directly reflects her dual passions. Boucher has worked in the human resources world for over 25 years. However, she explained the “Ninja part” of the name: “I’m a sixth degree black belt in Taekwondo and I have my own martial arts school in Hudson Falls and I’ve been doing that for over 30 years”.

Boucher finds that the lessons learned in martial arts translate directly into business consulting. She noted that both fields require tough conversations necessary for growth and development.

“A lot of what I’ve learned from one can show up in the other. And so one of the things in the HR world is having hard conversations,” Boucher said. “We do a lot of that in the martial arts world because when you’re training and growing individuals, sometimes you have to have hard conversations with them when you see so much potential on how to get that out of them and help them to be their best”.

Boucher’s varied professional background provides her with a holistic understanding of business operations. Her four-year degree is in accounting, and she holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the College of St. Rose. She initially worked as an accountant in the local mining industry, handling payroll and accounts payable, before being asked to step into the HR director role. “I just loved it. I loved working with people,” she recalled of her transition to human resources.

A life-long career in the fast-paced, high-stress restaurant industry was taking its toll on Serena Smith. For 10 years, she owned a restaurant, a job she says was “sucking the life out of me”. She’d worked every position, from cook to dishwasher to bartender, and the constant hustle left her with little time for herself. But a new path, one she discovered by chance, was about to lead her to a calmer and more fulfilling life: hot yoga.

Hot yoga is a form of yoga practiced in a heated room, with temperatures typically ranging from 95°F or higher. The benefits of hot yoga include increased flexibility, which allows you to get deeper into stretches, improved circulation, and enhanced strength and endurance. There are also detox benefits and immune system support.

Smith’s journey with hot yoga began around 15 years ago, when she was a dedicated CrossFit and obstacle course racing enthusiast who had started to experience a shoulder injury due to lifting and overusing her body without adequate stretching. Her sister, a fan of Inferno Hot Pilates and Hot 26 yoga classes, asked Smith to try it just one time. “I was skeptical,” Smith says, “but I tried a class, and I was hooked.”

While some people come to Hot Yoga Queensbury for the physical benefits, Smith finds the mental and emotional advantages to be the most significant. She credits her practice with providing stress relief, mental clarity, resilience, and mood-boosting effects, in addition to helping her with her sleep. “That is what’s so beautiful about yoga for me, it’s a journey inward. It really helped me manage my stress level while I was in the fast-paced world of  the restaurant industry, where you’re always on the go. I didn’t really k now how to relax, breathe, and pause. Those words weren’t in my vocabulary at the time.”

Just before the pandemic, Smith became a certified yoga instructor after initially obtaining certification to teach Pilates. In 2022, she purchased Hot Yoga Queensbury from its previous owner, becoming the third person to own the studio, which has been in business for about 15 years. Having previously taught at the studio, Smith was already familiar with the business and its members, which made the transition smoother, as she focused on introducing herself as the leader rather than just an instructor.

By Ann Donnelly

Kara Magoolaghan, principal of KMCG LLC and Chief Sustainability Officer of the Mulford Corporation, has built a strategic consultancy dedicated to navigating the complexities of capital projects. KMCG LLC primarily assists mission-driven clients—including nonprofits, government agencies, and small businesses—in building resilient and sustainable structures without compromising their core programming or missions.

Magoolaghan’s core value lies in acting as the comprehensive owner’s representative, providing specialized expertise for organizations often described as “understaffed”. The firm’s purpose is so that clien to put aside their day jobs to learn all about construction when they want to do a capital project”. KMCG’s scope is broad, covering everything “except for design and construction”. The firm guides clients through procurement, secures the right designers and construction partners, manages extensive documentation for permitting and approvals, coordinates construction management, and assists with complex financial processes, helping clients “build their capital stack” by coordinating with funders and securing investors.

One of KMCG’s most impactful functions is serving as a “translator,” simplifying the specialized language consultants use. Magoolaghan notes that many professional consultants—architects and engineers—speak “a totally different language,” making it difficult for clients to grasp project specifics. This specialized support is vital for smaller, nonprofit partners, where owners’ representation is often missing compared to the for-profit sector. KMCG currently works heavily in affordable housing but aims to expand into community centers, such as YMCAs and PALs.

The actual impetus for starting KMCG was specifically to help build green buildings and foster resilience. Magoolaghan, a Certified Passive House Designer, argues passionately that old buildings are not equipped to handle the future. “We need to change the way that we build so that we can prepare for what’s coming,” she asserts. The goal is to “build the most resilient and sustainable buildings possible so that they last longer, so that they’re more comfortable, and so that they’re equipped to handle the changing climate that we have”. This high-performance approach offers significant economic benefits, particularly for affordable housing clients who often retain maintenance costs. Magoolaghan highlights that if developers “put in that extra investment at the front end, you’ll pay less in utility costs at the back end”, a crucial saving given that utility and insurance costs have risen “astronomically” in New York state.

By Paul Post

Dana Russell has no trouble attracting people to her Glens Falls business, Adirondack Salt Cave LLC.

“The hardest thing is getting people up and out,” she said. “Nobody wants to leave.”

The firm’s soothing environment—walls made from blocks of beautiful peach-colored Himalayan salt—relaxing music and halotherapy, which promotes respiratory health and combats allergies, skin conditions and COPD, keeps clients coming back time after time.

“A lot of people come in after work and just need that Zen, that decompression from everything,” Russell said. “When they walk through the doors they’re just so happy to be here.”

A Warrensburg native, she’s been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years. But in 2016, a friend convinced her to visit a salt cave in Vermont. After finding a suitable space in the Union Square building at 11 Broad Street, she decided to create one of her own.

A former garment factory, the 126-year-old structure oozes with history and character. “We love it here,” Russell said.

Soon, a truck delivered four tons of Himalayan salt from Pakistan, procured through a New Jersey supplier, and a Texas firm spent eight weeks designing and building the site. Adirondack Salt Cave was open for business.

The “cave” is a 300-square-foot room with 12-foot ceilings that replicates the microclimate of deep natural salt caves. When lights are dimmed, the backlit Himalayan salt wall creates a mesmerizing glow.

“It’s a wow factor when you walk in,” Russell said.

Advokate, the Glens Falls-based marketing, communications, and design agency founded by Kate Austin, marked its 15th anniversary on Oct. 17 with a celebration and client showcase at its offices on Glen Street.

The open house drew members of the business community, local leaders, and clients from across the region. Attendees enjoyed refreshments from Rock Hill Bakehouse Café, live music by Stories Told, and DJ entertainment by All We Do Is Epic! The event also featured maple syrup sampling from Candy Mountain Maple, door prizes, giveaways, and displays from Advokate clients.

Remarks were offered by representatives of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, New York State Assemblymember Carrie Woerner, and Austin herself, who thanked the community for its long-standing support.

Founded in 2009, Advokate began as a “honey-do” service for artists and has grown into a full-service agency offering branding, graphic and web design, digital marketing, videography, jingles, creative consultation, social media training, public relations, and startup support.

“We really grew in response to the community’s needs,” Austin said. “When clients asked if we could do something, we almost always said yes—and over time, those requests became new services. We love that no two workdays are ever the same.”

By Christine Graf

After two decades of working in the non-profit sector, Schenectady native Sabrina Houser established Capital CFO+ in 2017. The Saratoga Springs-based company provides business management solutions to companies and non-profits of all sizes. 

“We focus on five key areas–accounting, marketing, administrative services, business management services, and non-profit management services,” said Houser. “Our services include human resources, payroll, recruitment, grant writing, and leadership training.” 

Prior to opening her own company, Houser was the CEO and CFO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. It was while working there that she came up with the idea of opening her own business. 

During the past seven years, Capital CFO+ has experienced rapid growth. Houser now has 40 employees, all of whom work remotely as well as on-site with clients. Her staff includes five directors, each director responsible for one of the five services the company offers. 

According to Houser, Capital CFO+ has a diverse client base, one that is split equally between companies and non-profits.

“Our clients include doctors, lawyers, construction companies, and property management companies. On the non-profit side, we have youth organizations, historic organizations, and foundations. We also have a couple of universities that partner with us for their foundations.”

By Ann Donnelly

Paula Traina, a dedicated State Farm agent with offices in Queensbury and Glens Falls, has built a thriving business rooted in community involvement and a passion for helping others. With a strong foundation in the insurance industry and a commitment to personal and professional growth, Traina has positioned herself as a trusted advisor and a valuable asset to the local community.

Traina’s journey with State Farm began in the corporate offices, where she gained a deep understanding of the company’s operations and the insurance industry as a whole. Her experience in various departments gave her a well-rounded perspective that has been instrumental in her success as an agent. She spent most of her career in the Claims area, with the last few in Corporate Learning and Development, which involved a lot of travel.

Driven by a desire for greater autonomy and a desire to impact her community significantly, Traina opened her first State Farm agency in Queensbury in 2018. 

“I was all over the country helping roll out different initiatives and training employees to learn those initiatives. It just became a lot from a family perspective, so I started to explore opportunities and see what I could do that would keep me home,” said Traina. “State Farm approached me. They planned to put a brand new agent here and asked if I was interested.”

Starting an agency was a big transition, but Traina’s dedication and strategic approach quickly led to growth and success. 

By Ann Donnelly

Lourene Bouffard, the founder of Every Penny Bookkeeping & Business Services, is a passionate entrepreneur on a mission to empower business owners with financial clarity and confidence. With decades of experience, Bouffard offers a unique blend of expertise beyond traditional bookkeeping.

“I’ve found that bookkeeping is the starting point, but we do much more than bookkeeping. When you delve into the numbers, you gain a deeper understanding of the business,” Bouffard explained.

Bouffard’s journey began with a desire to become a CPA. However, after witnessing the struggles of small business owners firsthand, she made a bold decision. 

“After about 20 years or so working in different industries and having various roles in management, payroll, and business advising, I decided that I wanted to go off on my own and do more for businesses that are struggling.”

She realized many businesses lacked the foundational knowledge and systems to achieve financial stability and growth. Seeing this frustration fueled her desire to help bridge this gap and allow business owners to take control of their finances. 

“There are so many people who have great business ideas, but they are not sure how to run a business, don’t know how to watch their finances, don’t know what they’re looking for, don’t have the right processes, or the right people needed for their business to succeed financially,” she said.

By Jill Nagy

Floral Divine, Mindy Ryzuk’s shop at 21 Cooper Street in Glens Falls, focuses on preparing floral arrangements for wedding and other events. She is just coming off her busiest wedding season, from April to October, when she decorates between 10 and 18 weddings.

Ryzuk has been a floral designer for 30 years, mostly with a florist in Allendale, New Jersey, and has had her own business for four and a half years. 

Floral design is almost a sideline for Ryzuk. She is also a massage therapist. In fact, her space in the Shirt Factory is divided in two by curtains and a large cooler for flowers. On the other side of the cooler is the massage studio.

For weddings, Ryzuk can provide the whole package: bridal bouquet, table pieces, candles, arches and other large structures. She begins by consulting with the bridal couple. She finds that some people know exactly what they want; others have a color scheme and budget in mind and they work from there. 

Most of the flowers come from a distributor in Albany. She also buys flowers from local growers when they are in season. 

By Christine Graf

Since launching The Mobile Meditation Studio in September 2022, owner Kayla Craft has been travelling to schools and businesses throughout the Capital Region in a school bus that she transformed into a meditation studio.  She recently partnered with Crossroads Way, Inc., a non-profit with a mission of “Helping Kids Along the Way.” Tax-deductible donations made through the non-profit will be used offset the cost of bringing the bus to high schools in underserved communities.

According to Craft, the partnership with Crossroads Way materialized after Katie MacDougall established the Glens Falls non-profit earlier this year.

“We teamed up with them to be able to identify school districts that may not have the funds to have the bus come to them. We want to make the bus accessible to schools that don’t have the resources. This is a way for local businesses and the community to help more kids have access to these services.”

To date, The Mobile Meditation Studio has visited high schools in numerous school districts including Gloversville, Hudson Falls, and South Glens Falls. It has also been utilized by BOCES and SUNY Adirondack.