By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
We cannot undo the past; however, it’s an intriguing thought exercise to imagine what one would do differently if starting over again. We recently posed this question to area business leaders.
“If I had it all to do over, I would have started my business sooner.”
— John Zanewych, President Big John Sales, Oswego
“If I started Edge Strength and Conditioning again, with 13 years of lessons under my belt, I’d build more momentum before the doors opened: consistent social media posts and possibly a pre-launch podcast series featuring local athletes and local influencers. I’d offer founder memberships at a premium to early believers for cash flow and buzz, while starting with solid cash reserves and smarter financing for better runway. I would hire a part-time admin or virtual assistant much earlier instead of grinding solo for years. The core — practical strength training and classes built with genuine community — would stay exactly the same, but I’d protect my time and energy so the business could grow faster with less burnout.”
— Ryan Vollmer, Owner, Edge Strength and Conditioning Syracuse
“It sounds crazy but I would’ve skipped my corporate America job and just done this right away. I should’ve gone into business for myself rather than work for someone else. I’d have had less stress and probably started my family earlier.”
— Melanie Gallace, Owner, Sweet Dream Candy Shoppe, Baldwinsville
“If I had to start over, I would have focused my doctoral training in psychology on leadership development, teamwork and organizational effectiveness rather than the focus on individuals that one has in clinical psychology. When I enrolled in my Ph.D. program at Penn State at age 22, I really wanted to help all of us create a better world for our children’s grandchildren, the future generations. Although I believe we do change the world one conversation at a time, over the last 20 years, I have retooled with specializations in the above areas, enabling me to work with individual leaders, teams, and organizations, for the benefit of all of their stakeholders.”
— Christine M. Allen, Ph.D., CEO and president, Insight Business Works, Inc., Syracuse
“I’m not sure that I would do things differently. I started when geriatrics was just coming together as a specialty. The thing I would emphasize is the importance of setting up professional networks, working with people who have similar positions and are trying to address similar problems and situations. It took me a little while to make those connections and they may not necessarily be in your city. You may have to work through professional organizations. Going to professional meetings and talking with others is so important. I didn’t necessarily get all of my mentorship in my home institution. A lot came from people in other institutions across the country. It’s important to have a broad outlook and make connections and get support from people and they may not be in your particular business. There are some universal organizational skills that work no matter what area you’re in.”
— Sharon Brangman, MD, Faculty member at SUNY Upstate Medical University and a distinguished service professor, chair of geriatric medicine and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease
“I would probably not allow myself to be bullied by customers. When you’re starting and hungry, you kind of take everything you can get. You tend to be abused and don’t charge enough. I would probably value my skills at a higher level than I did then.”
— Steve Roberts, Owner, Zoey Advertising, Syracuse
“What I would probably do is try to start a lot smaller and scale rather than come out the doors as a big enterprise.”
— Rick Jordan, Operations manager, CNY Drone Services Inc., Clinton
“If I had to start over again, I would like to be more prepared for things like the pandemic and, for example, the crisis that has led to rising fuel costs, and what we would do for supply chains and costs.”
— Zach Menter, President CEO Menter Ambulance, Fulton
“I’d do nothing different; I enjoy what I do. I went to college for accounting, I do accounting, and I enjoy doing accounting. I’ve done it all my career and will do it until I retire.”
— Brenda Weissenberg, Owner Affordable Business Solutions, Central Square
“I would not do too much differently. Everything has worked out pretty well. I started out working for my dad who had a roofing and siding business for 50 years. I strive to be on time for my customers. I know if someone were working for me, I’d want them to be on time. That’s the most important thing, to be on time and do what you say you’re going to do.”
— Bob Fleming, Owner, Bob Fleming, Bob Fleming Windows & Doors, Brewerton
“I’d probably do more advertising and, of course, we didn’t have social media back then. We’d get our name out there more though.”
— Karen DeRousie, Co-owner, Cruise Planners, Pennellville
“I might do something different. would probably get into a trade or something, maybe like electric or welding.”
— Duane Clark, Salesman, Romano Ford, Fayetteville
“Overall, I feel like I’ve had a pretty good run. Starting out early networking yourself is always a good idea and building a good client base early on helps you branch out into further opportunities for you.”
— Jim Strebel, Salesman, Bob Johnson Chevrolet, Pulaski
“I’d stop talking as much and listen to people more. ‘Shut up and listen.’ It was the best advice I could have had then and probably the best advice I could still take now from time to time. You have to listen.”
— Ricky Clark, Sales manager, CNY Drives, Inc., Fulton
“I would have done everything the same. I wouldn’t change a thing. Life’s great!”
— Andy Phillips, Salesman, Ryan Phelps Auto Sales, Phoenix
“I wish I would’ve started earlier. I’m a used car dealer and have been doing it for four years and am just figuring out some things about the business. If I’d started earlier, I’d have been further ahead. I wish I would have trusted my gut and opened my business sooner. It took me a few years to take the jump and open my own business. I wish I’d have done so sooner.”
— James Lennon, Owner, Uptown Auto, Fulton
“I’m pretty content with where I’m at in this pretty, beautifully decorated store. It’s wonderful finding a job that’s easy to work at and to have good people to work with.”
— Max Earley, Sales associate, Witty Wicks Candles, Camillus
“If I were starting over, I would focus sooner on the problems I could solve for customers instead of concentrating so much on the equipment. It is easy to think that buying a capable drone creates a business, but the aircraft is only one part of it. A successful operator also needs to understand safety, regulations, photography, editing, marketing, customer communication and the needs of different industries. I would also start building relationships earlier with contractors, real estate professionals, solar companies, farms and other local businesses. Repeat customers and strong professional relationships are more valuable than waiting for individual jobs to come along. And I’d spend more time developing editing and storytelling skills from the beginning. The drone provides the viewpoint, but the operator still has to create the image and turn the footage into something meaningful and useful.”
— Justin Smith, Owner and FAA-certified remote pilot CNY Horizons, Cortland
