Profiles

Paul McMillan, Artist

I found myself seeking financing for this unique property that was definitely outside of the traditional mold. When I discussed my plan for an Art Center in Enfield with Alternatives, I was treated with all the considerations of a hometown bank. The personnel there looked at my small business plan and considered what such an enterprise might offer to the community. I found that Alternatives does support unique hometown small business efforts and, as a result, I received financial assistance in purchasing what is now the McMillan Art Center. Without the help of the people at Alternatives, I would simply not have been able to purchase the building.

I hope I can return in some way all the wonderful things that everyone has done for me at Alternatives. You are wonderful people and I look forward to coming into the credit union.

Christi Boothe and Lynette Grider, Satori Day Spa & Salon

We've been best friends for many years, and we both have a background being stylists.  We both dreamed of creating a salon where the services resonate in your life long after you've left the salon.  We wanted to incorporate high quality products with the best the industry has to offer.  

We took the Business CENTS class long before we opened our doors.   We wanted to take things slowly and make the right decisions.  We learned so much about what it takes to run a business. Once we were ready, we returned to Alternatives and were welcomed with open arms.   Alternatives helped us create our business plan, as well as get a SBA (Small Business Administration) loan.   

After we opened, we still received a tremendous amount of support from Alternatives - they've been amazing!

Lee Ginenthal, Owner, Der Rosenmeister Nursery

Lee Ginenthal is a Special Education teacher at Boynton Middle School, but his plans are to retire and run a nursery. Five years ago he signed up for our Getting Down to Business class. During that class Lee developed his business plan, and he’s used that plan step-by- step to get his nursery up and running. “I started my business four years ago, and since then I’ve come to Alternatives for information about sales tax, filing taxes…I’ve had all sorts of questions. Whenever something comes up, I stop by Alternatives. There’s always someone to help me.” Lee feels comfortable at Alternatives. “What’s nice about the Credit Union,” he continues, “is that every time I walk in, people know me - as the “Rose Guy” - and they always ask how business is doing. It feels good. The staff is interested and supportive.”

The atmosphere at Alternatives brings Lee back whenever he has a financial need. Right now he’s working on installing a solar electric system in his home, funded by an Alternatives NYSERDA low-interest loan. He hopes to produce 60%-70% of his own electric needs with this new system.

Visit Der Rosenmeister's website for more information.

Rima Shamieh

My IDA [Individual Development Account] experience was just incredible.  I saved a few bucks every week and after a year, I had a savings account with $3,000 in it!  And I'm glad that the MoneyWise class was required, because it really helped me develop a healthier relationship with money.  So many of the skills I learned in class seemed so obvious, but I never thought/knew how to do them until we went over them in class.  For example, tracking my spending made a HUGE difference in how I now spend money.  Also, the exercises in the beginning when we explored our relationships with money - I discovered I'm a carefree, spirited, impulsive spender.  It helps to put a name on things.

After accruing thousands of dollars in debt from student loans from when I was an undergraduate,  I was determined to do all I could  to stay out of debt for when I continued my education.  The IDA really helped.  I feel so much better prepared to build equity and save for my future.  Thanks, Alternatives!

Shannon Sullivan

“I really found out how caring Alternatives is last October when I was called up to active duty after Hurricane Katrina,” says member Shannan Sullivan. “Navy pay is only a fraction of what I make as a nurse practitioner. I panicked. I had to make provisions. In 24 hours Alternatives had arranged for me to pay interest only on smaller loans, and forebear my mortgage until I returned from active duty… Alternatives made me feel like I was the only person they had to worry about.

“Hundreds and hundreds of sick and wounded people were sent from the Gulf region to Norfolk, Virginia where I was stationed. The experience really woke me up to all that I have, and because of Alternatives, I still have my home. Other financial institutions gave me so much trouble before I left. The people at Alternatives made me feel like I was the only person they had to worry about. It was like going to your parents for help... it was that personal. Alternatives took a hard situation and made it easy for me. I can’t thank them enough."

Maggie Stanley, Inklings and Imprints

I've had my own small business in the past - sewing and selling bags, clothing and home furnishings. As it expanded, however, I found myself balking at the prospect of actually having to manage a business. The idea of hiring, determining pay and managing others (and the resulting paperwork) terrified me. Of course, this limited the growth of the venture. One person can only sew so much.

Years later, when I decided that I wanted to start designing rubber stamps for use with fabric, clays, etc., I realized I could use some "learning."  Alternatives' Business CENTS program in 2007 was at the right time and at the right price.

It was intensive and a time commitment - but I enjoyed the sessions.  It was a great experience to share with other entrepreneurs!  I loved hearing about their ideas and visions, and seeing how their plans and practices developed as the classes advanced.

While I feel I haven't taken full advantage of the information and resources made available, I am very glad I took the class - and grateful.  I keep the binder nearby for reference and know that the experience has influenced many of my decisions. I'm building the business slowly and expect that I will be contacting Leslie sometime when I'm ready to bite the bullet and apply for a loan.

Thom Trause
Ithaca Soy

Thom Trause, owner of Ithaca Soy, took advantage of the SBA Express Loan when he decided to buy out his partner and become sole owner of this local business. "It made sense for me to turn to Alternatives," Thom says of his choice, "because they aren't the starchy-shirt kind of people I usually find at financial institutions. The people at Alternatives were so helpful. I credit Alternatives for my ability to buy, relocate and run my business with no lapse in production at all. I can't imagine any other place that would have helped me the way Alternatives did. I guess I could say that because of my experience, I'll be back for any business needs I have in the future."

Stacey Mojo, Recycled Threads Inc. 

After leaving my career of pharmaceutical sales after 12 years, and three years prior of food service sales, I was trying to come up with a feasible business plan.  A car accident in 1999 caused me to leave my past industry due to a long recovery.  But this was the change I needed.

The Tompkins County Workforce (unemployment office) eventually led me to the Business CENTS program.  After a wonderful experience in the program with Patrick Wood, as director, my business plan solidified.  

RecycledThreads.com was established as a website within the year, and my current site has been in existence since September 2003.  Since then, the business moved to Commercial Ave., and we are now located in three suites in the Langmuir Labs Building in the Cornell Tech Park.  The website specializes in new, natural fiber clothing in mostly plus size, and accessories.  

The CENTS classes helped me take baby steps instead of my usual "leap" into something.   Recycled Threads Inc. is a growing business, and a busy one.  But I am still having fun!  Thanks Alternatives!

Michelle Menter

I've been an entrepeneur for years now, and I credit my ability to start and keep going to the Business CENTS program.  Leslie Ackerman, Business CENT's director, suggested Cornell's BR Legal  services when I needed to form a LLC, and Legal Zoom couldn't get me there.  She helped me think through my business structure and marketing plan for starting my vacation rental business.  It's a good thing Business CENTS exists - to help folks like me launch a new idea with a sense of support behind me.  Thanks!

Diane’s Downtown Automotive

Diane Russell owns the only woman-owned gas station and automotive repair in Ithaca. Diane says of her new endeavor, “The purchase of the station was owner-financed, but I turned to Alternatives for all my business banking. When I opened the station I opened my business account at Alternatives.”

“I have Alternatives to credit for some of the knowledge I have about running a business. I took the Business CENTS class, Getting Down to Business, when I was planning to purchase a station, and it made a big difference. The class covered all the topics I needed to know. It helped me figure out the numbers, and the marketing insights were great. It also gave me a business networking support group. I feel totally supported by Alternatives, both inside and outside the credit union. The staff supports my station, and I see a lot of Alternatives Credit and Debit Cards from customers.” Diane is getting ready to close on a Line of Credit that will enable her to add equipment to her station. “I like working with Alternatives,” she adds, “I think they have a real commitment to serve the people of modest means, and I think that’s really neat. It’s a commitment I respect and one of the reasons I support Alternatives and bank there.”

Renee Marquis

I participated in the IDA First Home Club in 2000, but later on decided to use it to start my own photography business instead. With the IDA funds I was able to buy a camera and computer.    I loved attending the Business CENTS class!  It really helped me to write a business plan.  It also taught me that networking is really key.  I really felt like I could contribue to the class as well as learn from others there.  I now have four photographers that work for me.

Mary Biggs

The young children in this picture go to Under Cottonwood Childcare Center, owner by Alternatives member Mary Biggs. Mary went to a symposium at GIAC on starting small businesses and met Leslie Ackerman, Director of Business CENTS. “I approached Leslie about Alternatives’ one-on-one business counseling,” Mary said. “She was wonderful. I worked with her on writing a business plan – I am not a business person and didn’t know what I was doing. She talked me through the whole thing.”

“Cottonwood is an established daycare center in Ithaca, Mary continues. “My own daughter went to Cottonwood when she was younger. When I took over the business, I realized I would need capital to reach my goals. I had planned changes to establish a warm and secure home setting where secure relationships could be formed. I changed materials and activities to add to the established progressive early childhood education that was offered

At Alternatives I found all the help I needed. I took the business plan Leslie helped me create and met with Michael Culotta, Alternatives’ Business Loan Officer, for a Microloan and Line of Credit. I have my business account at Alternatives; it’s such an easy place to do my banking. I really feel like my mind is at ease because I take care of my responsibilities, but Alternatives stands behind me in support. For more information about Under Cottonwood Daycare Center see www.undercottonwood.com.

Amy Walton

Amy Walton got a loan for a new car before she started looking. “I called the Anytime LoanPhone. It only took 10 minutes and I was tentatively approved right away, pending confirmation of my information. When I found the car I wanted, the dealer told me I could get a better rate through dealer financing. He made me an offer that was ¾ % less than my Alternatives loan. I called Amy Smith, my loan officer, and she matched that rate immediately. I had no idea that Alternatives has a policy of matching rates to stay competitive. I was really glad. This policy allowed me to keep all my banking at Alternatives.”

Marlo Capoccia, Garden Gate Delivery

I came to Alternatives because even though I knew a fair amount about what foods I wanted to sell and what a delivery model might look like, I had NO idea how to run a business. I'd heard about Alternatives "Getting Down to Business" class and was excited at the possibility of getting practical information about business ownership from a community credit union. After sitting down with Michell Matro, who talked with me about my ideas, I was committed to making Alternatives my credit union. Michelle was an amazing help. Even though she'd never helped build a delivery service before, she knew the right questions to ask.

Alternatives also wrote loans for my van and other start-up costs. I suspect that deciding to fund a business whose owner had no business experience and whose home-delivery business model is not very common was a challenge for Alternatives, but I felt as if Bob Anderson really stood up for me and looked for ways to help make it happen. That didn't happen at the banks in Ithaca - even community banks. Bob let me know what Alternatives could do to help me and what would be expected of me in return.

Why Garden Gate Delivery? After the birth of my first son, I started thinking a lot about where my food came from. Like all parents, I wanted to give him every chance to be healthy and to thrive, and the way I did this was to be really thoughtful about what kind of food he and I ate. Ithaca is a great place to be exposed to food and health ideas, and as those pieces of education kept coming to me (veganism, raw foods, dairy-free, wheat-free, whole foods), and I got a better sense of what types of things worked for me and my family. After I'd processed several of those ideas, I got the sense that what I needed was a healthy variety of foods to choose from, and the fresher the better. When people began talking about local foods being the new organic, I felt as if the kernel of my ideas had a name. Local. Except it didn't feel like a fad to me, it felt like choice. And those types of foods already existed both for me and for our community. There didn't need to be any response to a local foods movement, it was already there. For my part, I felt as if the products that were most likely to replace the ones shipped in from the West Coast were fairly spread out in the area, but that going to get them from the farms wouldn't be too difficult. And if I was going to go get them from the farms, I would want to share them with my neighbors and other people who wanted the best tasting, healthiest options around. So that's what I did. I made arrangements with about 35 local farms and suppliers to get their foods and sell them directly to customers via home delivery. Then, not only did people have access to the finest foods available, but they didn't have to take as much time or use as much energy to go out and get it themselves. I could do all that for them! And Garden Gate was born."

Laurel Hecht

I bank at Alternatives because when I moved to town, everyone I met banked there. I love how personal it is, and that there were no fees each month if I didn't keep a minimum balance. I stayed because I was impressed with all the benefits they provide. Most of all, I trust Alternatives and I respect how they support our community.

I have shown my art work in the lobby at this newer location and the old location many times. When I show my art, I get tons of feedback from members who saw the show. I love that! Members that missed my show can visit my artwork at www.lahecht.com.

Diane Hecht

While living in New Jersey in 1995, I decided to move to Ithaca to care for my elderly mother and to purchase a home here. My daughter set up appointments for me at Alternatives to discuss obtaining a mortgage and I remember her telling me not to dress up “NJ Style” as the small credit union on State Street in Ithaca was not like any bank I’d ever seen. She was so right! In the lobby dogs were barking and waiting for their snacks from the very casually dressed tellers, while babies were playing in areas provided by the Credit Union - that was the beginning of my love affair with Alternatives.

Over the past 13 years since offering me that first mortgage, as both Alternatives and I have grown and prospered, they have provided Home Equity loans to help me care for my mother, create my own small business, and this past spring to re-mortgage and pay off debts. The wonderful people in the Alternatives mortgage department offer amazing expertise in a very caring manner. Many thanks to all of you at Alternatives who offer your services for our community!   

Pat and Jackie Moe, Finger Lakes Beverage Center

My wife Jackie, my son Nicholas and I saw the need for a business offering a wide variety of beverages that appealed to all ethnic groups. The Beverage Center meets this need. We offer a wide variety of beers and gourmet sodas. Our customers can mix and match, special order and even take home draft beer through our Growlers System. We’re excited about this new business venture and we have Alternatives to thank for it. Getting a loan at Alternatives has been a tremendous experience. They’ve been cooperative, supportive and enthusiastic about our business. Their ideas have been helpful. We really appreciate the entire Alternatives staff. We’re glad to be a business supported by Alternatives. They’ve certainly made a difference for us.

Robert Berkley, Your Daily Soup

A few years ago, Robert took a realistic look at business growth and decided he needed a financial boost for expansion. He owns his home, free and clear, and decided a Home Improvement Loan was a good choice to get the funds he needed. "I had to get all new kitchen appliances; everything from a stove to a microwave—and a new roof also."

"Alternatives made it so easy—I felt like they answered my questions before I even asked them." Robert says of his experience. "I was already in a good place with my business. I just needed to get to the next level. Without the loan from Alternatives I couldn't have done it. I was able to make the home improvements I needed, and have money to buy the necessary equipment to expand my business to include ice cream and sorbet."

Jennifer Savran, LunaSea Bindery & Press

"I attended the Business CENTS classes right after I started LunaSea Bindery & Press. I realized I knew a lot about book binding but very little about running a business. The course was a good basic introduction to having a business. It was really helpful hearing others talk about their plans. The atmosphere lent itself to brainstorming and being creative. It enabled me to come up with ideas and write my business plan."

Jennifer Savran started LunaSea Bindery & Press in 2000. Her offices on the second floor above Autumn Leaves on the Commons are perfect for the work she does. Jennifer offers restoration and makes books for special occasions. She also does limited editions for artists or writers. Her specialty is doing custom handmade photo albums, guestbooks and favors for weddings and other special occasions. Jennifer thought Business CENTS was a key ingredient for building her business with a strong foundation.

Gino Bush, Community Activist

Eugenio “Gino” Bush has been a member of Alternatives since 1996. Gino is a well known community activist working on employment, labor, addiction recovery and other social justice issues.

Gino became a member of Alternatives because he felt the Credit Union’s community development mission perfectly complimented his own commitment to social and economic justice.

“Working with clients who are mainly low-income, it was important for me to support the credit union because of its focus on low-income people.  No fee savings and checking accounts plus financial and business education classes are important tools to help people build a more secure life. Financial security is an important social justice issue. I’m happy to support an organization that supports the community I work with.”

Josh and Kriss Eckenrode

Recently, my wife Kriss and I decided that it was time to purchase our first home.  We started working with our realtor to find the right house, but were not sure how to handle the financing.  She suggested that we talk to the mortgage team at Alternatives.  I am so glad that she did since the rates were competitive, and the service was second to none.  We worked very closely with Carol Chernikoff throughout the process; she was able to guide us in a way that was very personal and comforting.  Buying a house, especially the first house, is a rather overwhelming proposition, but everyone was so kind and helpful that the process felt very smooth.  We were also pleased to find out that Alternatives does not sell their mortgages, and that our money would stay in the local economy.  As someone who grew up in Ithaca, this was very important to me.  Kriss and I were so impressed with the service at Alternatives, that we also refinanced our car, opened a credit card, and moved all of our accounts to the credit union.  The personal, local service we receive continues to delight us every time we interact with a member of the Alternatives team.  We have never seen so many smiling faces in a financial institution! 

Sarah Steinkamp, Fancy Free Free-Range Eggs

I feel like for the first time everyone I know is rooting for me to succeed.  I took the Business CENTS class and am in the IDA program as well.  Everyone I talk to at the Credit Union is gung-ho about what I am doing.  The personalized service from Alternatives is what makes the difference.  I have used other financial institutions and no one there offered to be a cheerleader for me, help me figure out the financing, and coach me through the first year.  Thankfully there is Alternatives.

All the support a starting business world needs to think through the beginning to make their first steps on solid ground.  Thanks for everything.

Joe Nolan, Home Green Home

My family's credit union has been Alternatives since '96; We liked the mission, and who could resist banking in a converted house? In 2005 I started thinking about a retail start-up called "Home Green Home" that would sell healthy and eco-conscious home furnishings and renovation supplies. The Business CENTS class helped me to understand and develop the elements of a business plan, and set me on the path to taking the big leap.

At every stage, I've felt well supported by Alternatives' friendly staff.  From one-on-one consultation to business banking and credit needs, I've received quick, helpful service at Alternatives. We always look to partner with organizations that share our values, and Alternatives fits the bill.

Jacqueline Reeves

My journey began by inquiring about how to purchase a home with my Section 8 counselor at Tompkins  Community Action.  From there, I was connected with the Family Self Sufficiency program, which made this experience wonderful and easier to understand.

The Homebuyer's Class at Ithaca Neighborhood Housing was an eye opener to all the possibilities and obstacles that I had to complete in order to achieve my goal.  All this snowballed into me connecting with Alternatives.  Brendan Wilbur and the staff there were helpful in setting up an IDA, a program where I can pay the bills needed to maintain a household and still be able to save.  These are both things that I love to do.
The IDA program provides people with information on the steps to homeownership.  It's been a great experience for me, and I hope that young people are inspired to follow up on their dreams - if not for themselves - then for the generation that we have the responsibility to raise.

Enzo Saccuccimorano

I like to save every week at the Student Credit Union because I like to watch my money grow. Everyone needs money to survive.  I’m not saving for anything in particular, but I like the ability to choose how and when I spend my money.