Home-based businesses boost city

Three Claremont business owners share what led them to leap into going it on their own

By PATRICK O’GR ADY Valley News Correspondent

CLAREMONT —COVID lockdowns gave Kate McNamee the opportunity to share her love of flower gardening with the home-bound public. Brandon Besserer was seeking income to help pay for his hobby growing bonsai trees. Susan and Michael Sadonsky seized an opportunity from a chance meeting that helped pay for their son’s college tuition.

These Claremont residents are among an estimated 19 million home-based businesses in the United States. While some start small and hope to stay that way to earn a little supplemental income, others dream of growth and eventual expansion beyond the home.

The advantages of starting a business at home have to do with scale. Overhead is low, and there’s no commute. The average investment is less than $5,000, according to U.S. Small Business Administration.

There are also tax deductions and the freedom to better schedule family and work life. The internet has made it easier to market a small, home-based enterprise.

Elyse Crossman, executive director of the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce, said that the direct financial benefit of home businesses may be small, but having them in the city is important.

“They can draw people here who then may decide to do other shopping,”Crossman said.

VALLEY NEWS / REPORT FOR AMERICA —ALEX DRIEHAUS Brandon Besserer,right, checksover a bougainvillea bonsai tree to do any necessary last minute pruning before selling it to Jarrod Mayer, of Rochester, Vt., at Besserer’shome in Claremont on June28. “Itinvolves alot ofpatience,” Besserersaidofraising bonsaitrees.“The more patient you are, the better the outcome.”