Zen Home Cleaning

Deanna Hains started Zen Home Cleaning, an eco-friendly cleaning service, in 2004. Before she knew it, business took off way beyond her expectations.

The idea of a home cleaning service that provides five-star hotel service using only non-toxic cleaning products was well-received by New Yorkers. Moreover, people started to inquire about the possibility of franchising Zen Home Cleaning outside of New York City. After coverage in the Wall Street Journal, clientele grew exponentially yet again, but this time with more sophisticated business people. The popularity and growth of her business persuaded Deanna to build up her business acumen thus facilitating discussions with clients and possible franchisors.

Deanna sought out the Midtown Manhattan Small Business Development Center for assistance. With the help of Business Advisor Ulas Neftci and Entrepreneurship Department Professor Foskey, Deanna began putting a concerted effort into shaping her finances and doing the necessary preparatory work needed to franchise her business. Zen Home Cleaning is now looking to launch an initial franchise in 2007.

Greenhouse IT

Simon Binder and Chris Zauccki met while working for the same IT consulting company. Chris lived in San Francisco working in sales and marketing for an IT consulting company in San Francisco before moving to New York City after 9/11. Simon graduated from the West Point military school and worked as an independent consultant for 2.5 years. He was also a former Baruch student.

The IT consulting industry typically charges hourly fees for its services. Greenhouse IT is innovative in the sense that the company charges a fixed monthly fee to its clients.

Greenhouse IT started their business with the assistance of the Midtown Manhattan SBDC which is housed at the Field Center. Initially they worked with Business Advisor Ulas Neftci to develop a strong business plan and complete their financial projections. Subsequently, a Field Mentor helped them negotiate with private investors the funds required to start their business. Finally, after eight months of operations, they were able to get additional funding through SBA loans with the expertise provided by Ulas Neftci who introduced them to the loan officer.

Greenhouse IT has been up and running for 10 months and so far they are outperforming their business plan expectations. The company views the SBDC/Field Center as a critical resource for driving economic growth in New York City given the increasing number of small businesses start-ups. This contrasts the hostile small business environment that existed during the Giuliani era. Greenhouse IT has found the Field Center extremely helpful during their development and in the next 2-3 months they will be requesting assistance with staffing and recruiting in order to keep pace with their business expansion.

Pura Vida nyc

Ms. Sandra Finkelstein is an experienced fashion designer. She has 20 years of experience in the industry, working in both men’s and women’s fashion for companies like Calvin Klein, J Crew, Banana Republic, etc. After the birth of her daughter, she had a hard time finding trendy children’s clothing. This was the catalyst that helped her launched, Pura Vida nyc, LLC, fashionable clothing for kids.

Through the help of Small Business Development Center, Ms. Finkelstein obtained the funding needed to start her business in 2005, and is currently selling her fourth collection.

The designs, made with organic cotton, have been well-received by retailers and customers.

They are now being sold in various retail stores including Barney’s NY and Neiman Marcus.

Ms. Finkelstein is currently seeking more funds to expand her business in order to fill large volume orders.

ZORA by Bushra Gill

Bushra Gill, born in Pakistan, followed her childhood dream of designing clothes and created ZORA, which is an Urdu word for the planet Venus. In November of 1999, she opened her first retail location in the East Village section of New York City. Although she wanted to create a line of women’s sportswear, her first order was for a wedding dress. Word of mouth soon spread about her unique, custom-made designs attracting a following within the creative community. Originally trained as a sculptor at Pratt, Ms Gill applied her fine arts education along with her cultural background to her designs. This philosophy helped her build a brand targeted at the non-traditional bride and bridesmaid.

Like so many small businesses in downtown Manhattan, after the terrorist attacks on September 11^th 2001, Bushra was hit hard financially and had to close her retail store. She reemerged in 2002 as an appointment-only atelier and showroom located in midtown Manhattan and has retained her brand of customized bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Wholesale sales began in 2004 and the ZORA Maids line is currently represented in nine stores nationwide. Bushra launched a new line of bridal gowns in the fall of 2006. She also created Flowers, a special line for the smallest members of the bridal party.

In the summer of 2006, Bushra came to Field Center and its associated Midtown Manhattan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to seek help with her business plan. She met with Business Advisor Pavan Mirpuri, who specializes in business plan review and financial analysis for small businesses. Pavan is helping Bushra develop a strategy to take her business to the next level. She is entering a new phase of her life as a new mother trying to find a work-life balance. She is hoping to either find a business partner who can manage the day-to-day operations or, due to the success of the brand, she is considering selling the business. She is continuing her work with Pavan and feels confident she is on the right path.

Gaby’s Granola

Gaby Sherrow is a Certified Natural Foods Chef from the Natural Gourmet Cookery School in NY; she is also a Colgate graduate with majors in Sociology/Anthropology & Spanish. By creating Gaby’s Granola LLC in 2004, she was hoping to service health conscious and vegan customers by providing and distinct blend of nutritious and healthful ingredients. Her product range includes two types of granola cereals; one called the Chai Spice Blend, the other the Pine Nut Anise Blend, and will soon be introducing a Banana Cinnamon Blend.

At the SBDC she met with Business Advisors and MBA students who helped her develop a professional business plan. They also provided Gabby with research regarding her target market, her competition, and assisted her with developing financial projections.

Besides the expansion of her business, Gaby wants to sell at organic markets and co-ops such as Park Slope. More information can be found on her website: www.gabysgranola.com or by watching NY1 where she featured with staff from the SBDC.

DAVID LEE HOLLAND

David Lee Holland has jewelry design in his blood. His parents are long time jewelers who still design and sell jewelry in Selma, Alabama. David’s own designs reflect his love of nature and support for environmental causes. Made of 18k gold and precious gems, they are “Designed by David Lee Holland-Inspired by Nature”.

After more than 10 years of operating a home-based business designing for private clients, David and his partner John Kyriazis decided to expand to a retail store in the Soho district of Manhattan. This required an infusion of cash and they came to the Midtown Manhattan SBDC for assistance. A Business Advisor and an MBA intern worked closely with the clients to successfully get a $50,000 loan and $300,000 in equity investments enabling the clients to open their chic new store.

New York Magazine featured their store in January 2004 and then in Fall 2004 pronounced it one of New York City ’s 1835 best stores. Among the upscale magazines who joined the chorus of praise are W Jewelry, Where, Hampton and Avenue. David's coffee bean bracelet won the World Gold Council “Design 2000” Award and has been featured in many publications.

THE LAUNDRESS

Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Wieber are the two fashion enthusiasts behind Laundress- a collection of high-end cleaning and care products for high-end clothes. The SBDC was involved with the clients from the very initial stages of formulation of the business plan to the much advanced stage of applying for SBA guaranteed loans and finding success in getting the final approval to get two SBA backed loans totaling $100,000. With focus on the mantra that luxury clothing deserves luxury care, the business is now booming with presence in upscale stores like Bergdoff Goodman and Bloom.

DARLEEN SHERER

How does it feel when New York Magazine rates your espresso better than that of Chipriani’s? Ask SBDC client Darleen Sherer of Gorilla Coffee that is getting rave reviews from coffee connoisseurs ubiquitously.

Darleen came to the SBDC with the vision of opening a wholesale coffee roasting business with a coffee bar on the side. The Center assisted her with the start up process and the procurement of an SBA backed loan from HSBC bank. Not the one to rest on her laurels, Darleen came back to the center for assistance, this time for the expansion (to a second location) of her extremely successful Gorilla Coffee.

MICHAEL MOMM

Micheal Momm is the proud owner of the NYT acclaimed German style restaurant- Loreley. Located at 7 Rivington Street (Bowery, Downtown), Loreley is fast gaining a reputation of being a hotspot for hearty German food and brews. For the Center, Michael Momm is an exempelllary client who utilized our services in starting his business and initially gaining a $ 90,000 SBA backed loan as well as a $50,000 WTC Disaster Relief Loan. The New York Times hails Loreley as the restaurant that “caters to the downtown expatriate German community and the hipsters who love them- and their beer.”