Category Archives: Entrepreneurship

Chimney Heroes, a chimney services company based in Ballston Spa,  has been experiencing a series of growth spurts over the past several years, according to president Jamie Wallace.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how people live in their homes. In turn, the home services industry has experienced a lot of record-breaking growth, he said. The latest iteration of Chimney Heroes’ growth trajectory is the completion of a 3,000-square-foot training facility and a new, larger warehouse.

  Chimney Heroes provides chimney inspections, sweeping, repair, masonry work and installation of gas and wood fireplaces. Wallace said the secret to the company’s growth and strength is his commitment to education.

All company technicians experience continuing education for excellence training, both internally and externally in an ongoing fashion. The construction of a dedicated training facility is the physical manifestation of years of investment in staff education and training.

“We have a manager on staff whose sole responsibility is training technicians in the field,” said Wallace. “Our company’s core values include professionalism and leadership development and my promise to my team is that I will provide everything they need to succeed and thrive in the chimney care business.

“We have a modern-day apprenticeship to tradesperson program, and we’re always looking to meet new serious candidates who’d like to study and work with us.”

By Paul Post

An entrepreneurial Saratoga Springs couple has turned a widespread labor shortage to its advantage by adopting state-of-the-art technology to open a new can and bottle redemption center.

The business, called Rocket Recycling, welcomed its first customers on March 11. It is located at a former Stewart’s Shop building at 255 Ridge St. in Glens Falls.

“It’s all about speed, getting people in and out quickly and being super efficient,” said Tyler Russell. “Our tagline is the ‘Fastest Redemption Center in the Galaxy’.”

He owns the firm with his wife, Julia.

“We just saw an opportunity to do something a little different, using equipment to differentiate ourselves from other places like this,” Russell said. “We’ve been kicking this idea around for several years. The biggest problem today is labor, the same as any industry.”

By surfing the internet, the Russells found an Elmira-based firm, JK Peris, Inc., which specializes in recycling equipment. Such technology eliminates long lines and reduces the need for hiring employees.

By Paul Post

A new Glens Falls restaurant is specializing in farm-to-table dishes featuring fresh food sourced from throughout the region.

Johanna von Geldern and her daughters, Katriel and Cagney Houlihan, welcomed their first patrons to Mint, at 80 Warren St., on April 8. She previously owned Sweet Beet Bistro in Greenwich, which closed in March 2020 when COVID-19 hit.

Her focus on serving the highest quality, fresh food remains unchanged.

“With COVID, it just kind of re-emphasized the importance of healthy eating and knowing where food comes from,” von Geldern said. “We became part of the food revolution, reducing carbon footprint, and teaching people about ingredients we were learning about, too.”

“It kind of evolved organically because we’re surrounded by so many farms and artisans,” she said. “We saw this abundance of beautiful food around us.”

The eatery is housed in the former Mailings Made Easy building, owned by Glens Falls developer Peter Hoffman. Its elegant atmosphere reflects the owners’ commitment to providing a rewarding experience for each guest.

Paintings by Glens Falls artist Susan Beadle adorn the walls. A long, black banquette from the State Capitol in Albany gives the main dining room a flair of historic ambiance. In summer, a large glass door will open onto a spacious outdoor dining patio.

Updated business name correction – 4/19/22

by jill nagy

The Vested Veteran Grill at 126 Maple St. in Corinth honors the owners’ military service and helps other veterans and active duty service members.  

The grill has been open since last June and was preceded by a catering operation, still active, that started in April 2018.

Allen Lapelle and his wife, Kendie, and a staff of 10 operate the grill and catering service. Other partners are Jennelle Hoffman, Tyler Kirchhoff—who is also the building landlord—and Jason Shippee.

One-tenth of the profits from the catering business are donated to an organization that assists veterans with PTSD.  

Lapelle said he is “big on community.” He was especially pleased to host the Corinth High School girls’ basketball team when they celebrated winning the Adirondack League championship. In another bow to the community, the Grill serves locally roasted Engine 3 Coffee.

Lapelle was born and raised in the area. He spent five years in the U.S. Air Force, until 2014. Straight out of the military he took a job cooking. Then, he decided to learn more and signed on for programs at BOCES and the Culinary Institute. He served internships at Yaddo, in Saratoga Springs, and at a restaurant in New Orleans.  

“I’m new to the game. I’m still learning a lot,” he said.

The grill is open from 7-11:30 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast. From Wednesday to Sunday, they remain open for lunch until 2 p.m. Then, the restaurant closes for an hour to prepare for dinner, which is served from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.

By Christine Graf

One With Life Organic Tequila has partnered with world champion boxers Teofimo Lopez, Larry Holmes, Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, and Maureen Shea Carranza to promote and grow the brand.

The four boxers are equity partners in the Saratoga Springs-based business that was started in 2015 by local resident Lisa Elovich.

“All four are world champions, and each of these boxers really embodies the message of what it means to be one with life which is a message of kindness, compassion, courage, strength, and exuberance,” said Elovich.

Lopez is the current unified lightweight world champion and the youngest four-belt champion in the history of boxing. Hall of Fame heavyweight champion Holmes is best known for his historic defeat of Muhammed Ali.

Mancini is a lightweight Hall of Famer and Shea Carranza is a WBC and IFBA featherweight champion. She was also the main sparring partner for actress Hillary Swank as she prepared for her 2005 role in the movie “Million Dollar Baby.”

By partnering with these elite boxers, Elovich is able to combine her passion for tequila and her love of boxing. Her interest in the sport began in 2004 after she joined a boxing gym to lose pregnancy weight. Her boxing workouts eventually led to what she describes as an “accidental career” as a boxing promoter.

By Christine Graf

Whitman Brewing Co. has been named one of the country’s top 10 new breweries by USA Today, an honor that came just months after Hop Culture, a leading craft brewing publication, included the Saratoga Springs craft brewer on its list of the 10 best new breweries of 2020.

“To come from a brewery publication was very flattering recognition for our team. It reaffirms that we are on the right path, and hopefully that we can keep growing. We are humbled and excited by it,” said co-owner Will Crager. “It’s a great affirmation that we are moving in the right direction. We are very fortunate to have a great group of people around us who have a lot of expertise and experience and have helped us to have some great early success in just a year-and-a-half of operating.”

Walt & Whitman Brewing Co. is located at 20 Lake Ave. in the former Saratogian newspaper building which is owned by Saratoga Prime Properties. The Crager family, Philadelphia natives who moved to Saratoga Springs five years ago, chose it as the location. Will and his mother, Kathy, are co-owners and sisters Katie, Jane, and Lily are also involved in operations. Craft beer enthusiast and family patriarch, Bill, works full time in the financial sector.

“We had this vision, and for us it was more about experience and building a space that allowed people to come in and enjoy music and share our love for craft beer,” said Kathy Crager.

Just months after the December 2019 opening, the coronavirus pandemic shut down restaurants and bars. The Crager’s were forced to furlough some staff members. They opened for takeout only. After restaurants and bars were able to reopen with reduced capacity, Walt & Whitman’s spacious interior was well suited for social distancing.

By Jennifer Farnsworth

It might be that Yvonne Manso has the ability to ensure confidence in her customers when it comes to the quality of the product, because quite simply Manso believes in herself.

As a sales director for D.A. Collins, Manso has spent the past 14 years earning a solid reputation in a historically male dominated industry. Her work ethic and spirit brought her to the forefront of the construction materials industry.

She is originally from Michigan. After high school, Manso served two years in the military and four years in the reserves. She later moved to Las Vegas, working in the hotel  industry for 14 years. After meeting her husband, a native of Saratoga County, she found herself moving to the area and in need of a job. She landed a position at D.A. Collins as a sales coordinator.

“The hotel industry is so different and I had no experience in the construction field, but I was lucky enough to find a company that trusted I could learn the business. And I did,” said Manso.

When she first began, she could sometimes sense apprehension when contractors would see a woman show up on a job site. She said she did not let that deter her. In fact, she said it  motivated her to learn the ins and outs of the business. Now when she shows up, contractors know they are dealing with a seasoned pro.

Jill Nagy

Only months after opening the Palette cafe and workspace in Saratoga Springs, Catherine Hover is planning a second location, this one in Schenectady.

The Saratoga cafe opened last June. The upstairs co-working space opened in November. The Schenectady location will probably open in late spring or early summer, she said.

For now, things are slow due to COVID-19 restrictions but, “We’re hanging in there,” she said. The cafe is restricted to curbside pick-up, delivery, and takeout.

“We’re doing as we are told, trying to make the best of it and stay cheerful,” she said. The cafe still offers members a menu of hot and cold beverages, sandwiches, soups, and homemade baked goods. Baker Sam Pierre remains on staff and, in fact, “We’re not laying off anybody.”

By Christine Graf

Malta resident Jim Thomson, owner of custom wooden sign company Adirondack Jim’s, recently secured a contract to make signs for Yellowstone National Park’s historic Lake Lodge.

The lodge was built in 1891 and is undergoing a $19 million makeover. According to Thomson, it was well-known Montana historical architect Ken Sievert who recommended he be chosen to make the interior and exterior signs for the lodge.

The signs will measure between 5-8 feet in length and will be framed in logs. Scott Phillips of Adirondack LogWorks in Schroon Lake will be making the frames.