SUNY Broome is pleased to announce and celebrate that our Entrepreneurship Assistance Center graduated its most recent class of entrepreneurs on January 11, 2022. The EAC’s graduation ceremony was initially expected to gather members of the campus community in-person in SUNY Broome’s collaborative space within the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator, but due to the recent spike in local Covid-19 cases, the College opted to transition the event to virtual format. 

The event was co-emceed by Darlene Kanuk of the EAC and Dr. Michele Snyder, Associate Vice President and Dean of STEM and Health Sciences. Those in virtual attendance included SUNY Broome faculty and staff, representatives from the Binghamton Local Development Corporation and Broome Tioga Workforce, and friends from the community. 

The Entrepreneurship Assistance Center’s Fall 2021 class was small, but mighty and included Briana Alford, Rebecca Austin, and Tyriq Tyler. 

Each student used their twenty-two classes to develop their comprehensive business plans for their respective businesses – Briana’s Begets, Parlor City Arts, LLC, and Stella’s. 

Since 2005, SUNY Broome has run the Entrepreneurial Assistance Center, which is a collaboration between the Binghamton Local Development Corporation and Broome Triad. Since its creation, SUNY Broome’s EAC has hosted 18, 60-hour programs for start-up entrepreneurs and growing businesses. So far, the EAC has supported over 600 new businesses with action-items like business plan development, technical assistance, and specialty certifications. 

“Businesses birthed by the alumni of this program are now staples in our community. We dine healthily at Parlor City Vegan, seek marketing and design guidance from Idea Kraft and FreshySites, and fill our homes with artwork and crafts from the Black Cat Gallery. My sincerest hope for you is that Parlor City Arts, Briana’s Begets, and Stella’s all become household names within our region and beyond,” encouraged Dr. Drumm, who served as the keynote speaker for the graduation. 

In addition to receiving their graduation certificates, Briana Alford and Rebecca Austin received 1st and 2nd place awards for their presentations for the business plan competition. Each student shared their plans for the accompanying prize money. Alford hopes to use her winnings to purchase her domain name and packaging and marketing materials, while Austin intends to use her winnings for printmaking instruments and chairs for her art classes. 

If you or someone that you know is contemplating starting a business and has been inspired by our graduates’ stories, consider joining our Center’s next class in September 2022, which will be a hybrid setting of both virtual and in person sessions. Students will learn everything that you need to turn your idea into reality, and make your business a success. Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Entrepreneurship Assistance Center.

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