“Success” means different things to different people.
We recently asked business leaders in the area how they define success.
“Being able to pay your bills and run a good business.”
— Nolan Bradbury, President, Bradbury’s Boatel, Central Square
“I take great pride in developing people on my team so that they reach full potential and are prepared for that next chapter. Seeing them grow and achieve, to me, that is the ultimate. Always staying on the move and thinking about future trends and how my organization can implement them. While numbers are an easy measuring stick, how we handle obstacles and respond to challenges means the most to me.”
— Danny Liedka, President and CEO, Visit Syracuse, Syracuse
“The quick and simple thing is repeat business. If you don’t have repeat business, you won’t be in business for very long. They come back because they like doing business with you. That’s success to me.”
— Mike Vincent, General manager, Billy Whittaker Auto Sales, Central Square
“I’ve been here for 23 years in the same location. We get a lot of repeat customers and a lot of referrals. You really can’t hope to succeed without both of those.”
— Kevin Niezabytowski, Owner, People’s Choice Auto, Central Square
“Success means satisfying customers. We have good people working here, too. You don’t attract good workers if you’re not successful and good workers will help you be even more successful. We take pride in what we do.”
— Susan Cottet, Administrative assistant, Breathe Easy of CNY Inc., Constantia
“I’ve been in business for 75 years. We’ve based our whole focus on being fair and honest with our customers. Most important part of success is the people who work for me. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are now.”
— Dick Lindsley, Owner, DTS Truck Service, Syracuse
“Longevity. We’ve been in business for 33 years.”
— Guy Fox, Owner, Fox’s Discount Parts, West Monroe
“Success is a person who has great drive and the ability to control themselves. The successful person greets the day early and makes a plan. It is not measured in money or possessions or position. Those things, however, are sometimes a byproduct of a successful person. We continue to grow and expand over the years with both more employees and properties.”
— Tony Pauldine, Developer and owner, Oswego Rental Properties, Oswego
“From a business standpoint, what I look at is: are people willing to rebook and come back? There’s an awful lot of charters on Lake Ontario that they can choose from. There’s a lot of guys whom I fish with who do the same thing. You can’t survive without reaching out to customers and reaching out on a regular basis so you can make sure they’ll rebook with you. Some people want to go out with you but won’t take the time to make their booking.”
— Dave Wilson, Owner and captain, Captain Dave Wilson’s Fishing Charter, Oswego
“We have lots of new customers through word of mouth and good reviews.”
— Justin Taber, Owner, Torbitt’s Service Center, Inc., Oswego
“Success in business is when you wake up every morning and you like doing your job. You even love your job. Success is when you get pride in getting your mission accomplished and you’re able to support yourself and your family and get whatever you need in life.”
— Amanda Rollins, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Scripa Group, Brewerton
“I’ve been in business 46 years. If you’re doing something you love, it’s not like work even. You start to treat everyone like family. That’s success to me.”
— Rick Tesoriero, Chiropractor and owner, Tesoriero Chiropractic Office, PC, Oswego
“If the employees are happy and the customers are happy, you’re successful.”
— Joe Hawelka, Sales Sanager, Crest Cadillac, Syracuse
“Success is the way my business makes my customers feel when they walk in the store and they know they’re in their place. They feel welcomed, and like they belong right here. They know what we have is what they like. When they come in, they’re happy and relaxed and forget about all of the mess that’s out there in the world and they enjoy the shop while they look around. To me, that’s what it’s like being successful. It’s a formula that has worked for me for 19 years in business.”
— Linda O’Boyle, Owner, Metro Home Style, Syracuse
“I’m in the used book business. Success is being able to connect people with the books they’re looking for. Some come in with nothing in mind in particular, and others are looking for something specific.”
— Patrick McGrath, Owner, Books End, Syracuse
“I believe when you get the respect of the clients you have worked with and their families is important. When they view you as a mentor for all things that you are involved in your life. When you also have the respect of your workers and you feel satisfaction for all you give back to the community after everything they have done for you all the years in business.”
— William Galloway, Owner/broker, Century 21 Galloway Realty, Oswego
“I started feeling that I’d be successful in 1963 when I was a child. I started collecting comic books and never threw them away. In 2014, I opened Collectibles Galore. In that time, I sold my own comic books and toys from the 60s and 70s. My business flourished because of the older comics and toys. I never had a degree. I’m a college drop-out. In 1982, GE left Syracuse and I was doing an internship and they let everyone go. I thought if they’re not hiring and going over to China, I’d go somewhere else. I went to Byrne Dairy and they let me go once I was around 50. In 2011, I couldn’t find a job. I was overqualified because I had management skills. A friend hired me part-time to do his eBay site. He suggested I buy his comic book business. That was January 2014. I read books about business and I’ve been instilled with the philosophy that if you help others, others will help you. Karma always goes around. If you give someone a fair deal, word goes around and more people come in and I give them fair deals. I help the children who come in and give them a comic book instead of having them on a tablet or phone. I don’t overcharge people; I try to help them.”
— Michael C. Thompkins, Owner, Collectibles Galore, Syracuse
“I’ve been open for 28 years. I put two kids through college and bought every one of my kids a car. I went through the Excel Business Program with Onondaga Community College. They were trying to get young entrepreneurs to open new businesses. I was one who qualified to get into the program for free. I met the mayor and was asked why I wanted to open a business. I said, I didn’t want to be rich but want to take care of my family. By answering that, I was selected. I was one of 12 who by the end of the year didn’t suffer a loss and, in fact, I had to expand three times. You’ll be successful if you care about what you do and hustle. There’s always a way. It’s not easy but I’m still here.”
— Randy Harris, Owner, Bullseyes Darts Etc., North Syracuse
