NNY Business March 2018

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Inside MARCH 2018

18 15 16 | COVER |

18 WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE Six Northern New York women lead in the real estate market, owning their own agencies and staffing many. | SMALL BIZ STARTUP |

15 LEWIS COUNTY CAFE Owners start Christian gathering place for area residents. | WOMEN IN BUSINESS |

16 FOR THE LOVE OF SNOW Carolyn Yerdon enjoys volunteer position as National Weather Service observer.

37 | REAL ESTATE |

29 TOP TRANSACTIONS Top 10 sales in Jefferson, total over $3.5 million. | HEALTHY WOMEN |

38 3D/4D IMAGING New imaging increases confidence, diagnostics in breast cancer screening.

39 HOLISTIC HEALTH Acupuncture and yoga benefit body and mind.

40 MATERNAL DEPRESSION Symptoms of “baby blues” now recognized.

41 DEMENTIA Brain healthy habits to reduce the risk of dementia. | BUSINESS SCENE |

54 NETWORKING, NNY STYLE Businessmen and women connect for success across Northern New York.

March 2018 | NNY Business

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SMAL L BU SIN E SS S TA RT UP

BUSINESS

Moving Mountains Cafe

Two local couples are bringing new life to a former funeral home here in the form of a nonprofit Christian gathering place and soon-to-be coffee shop.

"We want to better the community through the building," said Wade Lyndaker, who is helping develop the Moving Mountains Cafe at 9721 Route 812.

"Our prayer is that people in the community use it," added his business partner, the Rev. Paul L. Mast, pastor at Croghan Mennonite Church.

The Rev. Mr. Mast said he for some time had talked with his wife, Bonnie, about bringing some type of Christian-based coffee shop to the community. However, nothing came of it until they discussed it with Mr. Lyndaker and his wife, Leslie, over dinner one day.

"One thing led to another, and here we are," he said.

The two couples last fall bought the former Adirondack Funeral Home, which closed a few years ago, and adjacent home and refurbished the commercial building with the help of many community donations of both time and money.

"We're very thankful for that," said Mr. Lyndaker, a logger by trade.

The Rev. Mitch Robinson, a Beaver Falls native, recently began holding church services in the building at 6:30 p.m. Sun-

days, with Christian music provided on the second Sunday of each month.

The services, open to all denominations, have been drawing more than 20 people, while last month's initial musical session drew between 55 and 60, the Rev. Mr. Mast said.

The Rev. Mr. Robinson, a former drug addict and alcoholic who later worked at three treatment facilities in Kentucky, also plans to hold a 12-step program on Monday nights, he said. An Alzheimer's support group may also be formed here, and "Saturday Night Live" praise and worship sessions for youth are also planned in the near future.

"We want people to take ownership of the place," the Rev. Mr. Mast said.

Guidance services focusing on marital, personal, financial and substance abuse issues may be offered for free or on a donation basis, and any groups may utilize the facility - including a large common room and two private rooms - so long as their activities fit with the mission, he said.

The name of the business refers to Matthew 17:20, in which Jesus tells his disciples that, with faith the size of a mustard seed, they could move a mountain.

As for the cafe itself, plans are to get in coffee-making equipment in March and open some time this spring. The owners said they intend to utilize free trade coffee like Cafe Diego that, while a little more expensive, provide living wages to coffee

bean growers in third world countries.

And, they said, the entire goal of the venture is to share their blessings with others and promote their faith, not turn a profit. "We'll have paid employees, but we won't be paid bosses," Mr. Lyndaker said.

The intent is also to be open about the venture's finances, he said.

"Especially if people are giving donations, we should be accountable," Mr. Lyndaker said.

The partners said they may install a drive-through window, but that will depend on funding availability.

While all revenues and donations for the time being will go into the building and operation costs, the goal is to eventually use any proceeds to help community members and families who are in need, the Rev. Mr. Mast said.

"The quicker we can get the building paid for, the quicker we can give back to the community," he said.

Anyone seeking more information or with ideas for building uses may call the Masts at 315-378-8498 or the Lyndakers at 315-771-7885.

Updates on the venture are also available by following "Moving Mountains Cafe" on Facebook. ~Steve Virkler

WHERE Croghan, NY | OPENED February 2018 | WEB www.facebook.com/pg/Moving-Mountains-Cafe

March 2018 | NNY Business

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Ruth A. Doyle, 40, was appointed St. Lawrence County administrator last year, after working for the county for more than a decade, and serving as assistant administrator since 2008.

COV E R STORY

W

hen the National Association of Realtors (NAR) was created in 1908 the membership was comprised entirely of male realtors and it wasn’t until the 1940’s when women took a strong role and began to enter the market in force.

Here in Northern New York and across the country more than half the real estate firms are now owned by women and they say they love what they do and see great success.

The real estate market in Norther New York has seen its ups and downs.

From Fort Drum’s expansion bringing in surges of new residents, to the economic crash in 2008, women in real estate in the tri-county area say that no matter what the challenge if you have passion for it you will be successful.

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY:

Rhonda Roethel, America 1 Realty, Ogdensburg Working as a city letter carrier for over

30 years, real estate was something that came later in Rhonda Roethel’s career after attending night school for real estate at Canton ATC, which is now SUNY Canton, over 20 years ago.

“This was when you actually had to sit in a classroom for hours every week to get your study time in,” she recalled.

“Now, you can do your classes over three weekends or even online.”

She received her salesperson’s license in 1997, and her broker’s license in 2001 and since then has opened her own real estate agency, America 1 Realty. She says that practicing real estate in Norther New York has changed throughout the years, with more firms being male owned then, to now where many women own their own.

“When I first got into the business, there were definitely more men practicing real estate than there are now. Back then it was a little more difficult as a woman to get listings like farms or hunting land, but now, that is not the case,” said Rhonda. “I think the real estate industry here has changed dramatically in the last 20 years.”

It’s not only the face of your real estate agent that has changed she says. The values of homes in Northern New York differ dramatically from those seen on HGTV and buyers are becoming savvier to what to look for when buying and selling a home.

“Homes that would sell here for 20 | NNY Business | March 2018

CHRIS LENNEY n NNY BUSINESS Rhonda Roethel, America 1 Realty

$150,000 would sell for $450,000 elsewhere,” she said. “I’ve always pounded the premise that honesty really is the best policy, and you do your best to make that happen. It’s very gratifying to see how happy you’ve made someone when you hand them the keys to their first home and knowing that you’ve helped to make that happen.”

Real estate is an industry that she loves and says that other women in the area can benefit from entering the industry as an entrepreneur as well, but says it is not always an easy profession.

“The advice that I would give to any women thinking of entering real estate here in Northern New York is to really assess what you’re hoping to achieve from becoming a realtor. It’s not an easy profession and you have to be willing to

devote the time if you want to succeed,” she said.

She continued that it takes nights and weekends, showing properties and doing listings when buyers and sellers are available.

“It’s not a get-rich scheme but, if you work hard and stick with it, practicing real estate can really pay off,” said Rhonda.

Debbie Gilson, County Seat Realty, Canton

For life-long St. Lawrence County resident Debbie Gilson, real estate came later in her career, similar to Rhonda Roethel.

When she and her late husband were married they had the opportunity to purchase “Smiths General Store”, a little mom-and-pop store in the communi-

C OV E R S TORY Sharon A. Addison, 52, was appointed Watertown city manager in 2012 following a 27-year career with the National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Md.

very proud to invest in my community and “theI amresponse from my fellow neighbors has been wonderful. ”

CHRIS LENNEY n NNY BUSINESS Debbie Gilson, CountyBusiness Seat Realty | NNY | 21 March 2018

COV E R STORY ty where she was born and raised. They purchased the store in 1982 and closed it in 1998 when she decided to make real estate her full-time profession.

“In 1990, there was an advertisement on TV for courses being offered at Canton ATC. One of the courses was the real estate salesperson licensing course,” she recalled. “It was something that I was always interested in and thought it would be something I could start out doing part-time, as I was self-employed at the time and had a flexible schedule.”

It turns out that real estate was a perfect fit for her and as she gained momentum, she opened her own firm with her husband after leaving Segar Real Estate, where she began her career. Gilson says it was a challenge at first, as many things can be, but since she began she has accomplished many great things.

“I am a graduate of the REALTOR institute and have also earned designations as a Certified Buyers Representative and in Short Sales and Foreclosures. In 2006, The St. Lawrence County Housing Council awarded me with the “People who Make a Difference Award” for outstanding dedication sharing their vision, and I also served as the St. Lawrence County Board of REALTORS president from 2016 to 2018,” she said.

But the biggest accomplishment that Gilson speaks passionately about happened only two years ago when she purchased a foreclosed property in the village of Canton, along with an adjacent property that had been subject to a fire.

“I completely renovated the foreclosure inside and out and demolished the “eye-sore” building, providing plenty of parking. No expense was spared as I worked with contractors to complete four offices, an enclosed porch and kitchen. Not only did this provide me and my agents with a beautiful office to conduct business, but also provided a one-bedroom income-producing apartment upstairs. I am very proud to invest in my community and the response from my fellow neighbors has been wonderful,” she said.

She continued that everyone has been pleased to see such an improvement in a property that is highly visible in the village, and that in 2017 County Seat Realty was honored as Canton Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year at its annual chamber dinner.

With all these successes, the greatest challenge that Gilson has faced is one that has affected the industry as a whole since its start in 1908, technology.

“When my career began, an agent would list a property and would type the information on a form and attach a photo of the property and mail it out to area real estate offices.

Buyers could drive around and look for real estate signs in the yard or they could sit down with their agent and go through the listings in person.

Now, most, if not all, listings are online through the Multiple Listing Service or Realtor. com and buyers have information, photos and maps right at their fingertips. Real Estate agents in some ways have shifted from the keeper of the information to the facilitator of the sale,” she said.

Even with the changes over the years Gilson says that you get what you put into the industry and that communication with customers is key, along with patience and persistence.

JEFFERSON COUNTY:

Tara Marzano, Marzano Real Estate, Watertown

For entrepreneur Tara Marzano, being a women in business is not a new venture. In Jefferson County many people are familiar with Marzano Paving Inc., a business venture that she owns with her father and not the first of a long line of family-owned businesses.

“For me to be on my own is the most rewarding thing because I come from a history of family owned small business.

Growing up, I watched my parents and their strong commitment to family, my neighborhood, our town, friends and this unshakable loyalty that in my opinion you don't see anywhere else. Every working relationship I have continues;

SUBMITTED PHOTO Tara Marzano, Marzano Real Estate

it does not end when the transaction is over. It's a lifetime reward that never goes away. There's nothing better than that,” she said.

Marzano first entered the world of real estate in 1999 while she was working with her husband and his land company, VandeWater Land Development. The company specializes in recreational land development, which she says was a great way for her to get started. It wasn’t until 2002 that she got her first taste of a real estate agency when she was approached

by Lori Gervera, who at the time was looking for an administrative assistant.

“I worked as her assistant and obtained my license to best serve that role until eventually going into sales full time. I stayed with Lori Gervera Real Estate until 2013 when I went on my own. I think starting out the way I did gave me a really good foundation for understanding all the facets of what a "typical" real estate transaction looks like, and that foundation, combined with my husband's and Lori's mentoring, is what gave me the confidence to start

March 2018 | NNY Business

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C O V E R ST O RY or famine.”

“It's cut-throat at times and you need to have thick skin. It is a service oriented business in many ways; success comes from experience and reputation, repeat business and referrals. It takes time and it's hard.

Every success and every failure ultimately ends with you, and there is competition everywhere and you need to find your niche,” she said.

Marzano feels that she is fortunate to have found her own niche. Her business has turned into a steady one based on referrals and repeat business.

Amanda Miller, Lake Ontario Realty, Chaumont

Lake Ontario Realty, owned by AMANDA MORRISON n NNY BUSINESS Amanda Miller, is Amanda Miller, Lake Ontario Realty one of the top real estate agencies in my own business,” she said.

Northern New York.

For Marzano, she is used to working in In fact, the agency has been the number businesses that are strongly male-domione office in the tri-county area over the nated, just as the real estate market used last two years and their biggest feat has to be. She doesn’t feel that any industry been being named the number one firm is truly a women’s industry, but that any for sales volume. But success for Amansector comes with its challenges. da Miller hasn’t always been easy, and “As people we always face a chalgetting her start in real estate came with lenge, that’s just a basic fact, but the heavy burden to start with. only challenges I focus on are the ones Miller had just turned 20 when she obI put on myself,” she said. “Some of the tained her real estate license in 2003. She best brokers I have had the privilege of began working for a local firm owned by working with are women and I know for a gentleman in the Chaumont area which myself, when I first got into the business, was ideal for her, she says, as she was a I had two major challenges: my age and single mom. Just graduating from Jefmy time. I was much younger then and ferson Community College, Miller knew had a young son, so I had to prove that that she enjoyed sales and working with I actually knew what I was doing while people, so when the opportunity to work still being able to be the mom I wanted at this firm presented itself, she jumped and needed to be.” on it.

She says the greatest advice that she “The biggest thing that I learned in my can offer to anyone looking to enter real two years working at my first firm was estate is to first think it over, that it’s not everything not to do actually. It was a dian easy industry to get in to and you saster for me. If you could paint a picture have to really understand it can be “feast of the absolute worst way to start a real 24 | NNY Business | March 2018

estate career, this was it. No training, no support, no office hours, no website, no one answering the phones,” she recalled.

She had to continue waitressing and bartending, while taking care of her son and trying to launch her career as a real estate agent. She says she went into debt, felt discouraged and started questioning whether or not she had made the right decision.

“I couldn’t get a client to save my life, everyone I was going to talk to had already talked to well-established agents in the community. They were not willing to take a chance on me and finally I had a client stolen from me right out of my parking lot,” she said.

But out of the negative experience there was light at the end of the tunnel that launched her into the great success she sees today.

“I had my mother’s house for sale.

She had it with other brokers and about 14 months into the process I was about ready to quit. But then my mother’s house sold and I got my first commission check,” she said. “It was pretty awesome!”

From there she had a taste of success, had learned everything she didn’t want to do and quickly realized she needed to be the broker and started Lake Ontario Realty in Chaumont.

“It means everything to me to own my own business,” Miller said. “I came from a very traditional family that was all college, college, college. You rack up student loans and debt because that is what you are supposed to do. But for me to walk out of a two-year college experience that was very affordable, I didn’t go into debt and it got me started with what I needed. And then to be able to go into something that I found along the way, that I loved, and be successful and support my family and stay in the north country is amazing.”

Miller now is dedicated to running a business that her employees are proud and happy to be a part of, has gained high regards and recognition throughout the industry and continues to thrive working day in and day out along side of her staff.

LEWIS COUNTY:

Lori Nettles and Tania Sterling, T.L.C. Real Estate, Gouverneur /Carthage

For T.L.C. Real Estate team Lori Nettles and Tania Sterling, owning their own real estate agency has paid off

time and you have to work hard. And if you work hard, it will pay off in great dividends.

”

March 2018 | NNY Business

AMANDA MORRISON n NNY BUSINESS Lori Nettles and Tania Sterling, TLC Realty

to do real estate “youIf youhavearetogoing be committed to the

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COV E R STORY in many ways, from financial success to what they say is the most rewarding: helping people.

“I entered the real estate market to help buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. My partner Tania and I began TLC to guarantee our clients and customers receive the attention they deserve and to be treated with integrity.

TLC is an acronym for Trust, Loyalty and Commitment, which is not just a slogan, but words by which we live,” said Nettles.

The team met through another real

26 | NNY Business | March 2018

estate agency. Sterling was an agent for reality company in Ogdensburg and then they added Nettles, which is where the two met.

She said the office was struggling at the time and the owner wanted to know if she would come and help rebuild the business.

“It was in Gouverneur at the time, but I was in Carthage and didn’t want to make the drive so he let me run it from there. And that is where I met Tania.

It was then sold and we decided to work together and start our own,” said

Nettles.

But the team wasn’t always involved in real estate. Nettles got her start in marketing and sales, working for WWNY early in her career. She started in real estate only when her children were out of the nest, with the youngest in high school.

“It’s funny because I always was interested in real estate even as a little girl, but I always thought typically they were middle-aged women. And as a child I always wondered why. It’s very time consuming and that’s why,” recalled Nettles.

For Sterling, her career in real estate started when she was buying a home in 2001.

“I had fun looking at homes,” she said. “so I said to the broker, ‘If you ever need help in the office let me know,’ because I had office manager experience.”

After four years of working for that agency, and not being allowed to get her own real estate license, she was introduced to the agency where Nettles was already working and the rest is history.

The team has won awards and recognition for their business. They work tirelessly to ensure that they are providing the best quality and services they can.

“If you are going to do real estate,” said Nettles, “you have to be committed to the time and you have to work hard.

And if you work hard, it will pay off in great dividends.”

The women have won Small Business of the Year 2010 (Carthage Chamber of Commerce), Top 20 percent Producers in JLBOR, and Sterling won Business Woman of the Year in 2009.

Since the two started together they say that many things have changed, including the market and technology, but that they continue to stay on top of it all.

Specifically, they offer a special service to those real estate agents who don’t have the time to dedicate full-time or who are looking to retire.

“One thing that we do differently is that we have a referral arm. If someone doesn’t have the time to dedicate your entire day to real estate, for one reason or another, we have a solution and allow people to keep their state license and you don’t have to pay board dues. You can send us a referral and we pay you when the transaction happens. We pay 25 percent to those agents. They can be as involved or uninvolved as they want to be, which is nice for agents who are transitioning,” explained Nettles.

BU SIN E S S L AW

I

Breaking Biases

t can often be difficult for individuals with criminal convictions to find employment or housing, even years after serving their sentence. Even with protections in place, some employers and landlords can't fight an unconscious bias towards these individuals. Local attorney Matthew Porter has begun using a new law passed in October of last year to protect his clients from such bias.

New York State does not have any laws in place to erase, or expunge, criminal records. Instead, New York offers a processes for sealing certain criminal records.

For an individual experiencing additional hardship due to an old conviction, applying to have their records sealed may be an attractive option.

“When a person’s record is sealed it is not erased, but any related fingerprints, booking photos, and DNA samples may be returned to the individual or destroyed, and records of their crime will no longer be available to the public,” explained Mr. Porter.

Under New York’s Executive Law Section 296(16), employers are prohibited from inquiring about or taking any discriminatory action based on an individual’s sealed record. This means that if a record is sealed it cannot be considered in an application for employment.

“However,” said Mr. Porter, “this law does not apply to law enforcement agencies, nor to those charged with federal licensing for firearms or other deadly weapons.”

The two processes for having criminal records sealed are outlined in New York’s Criminal Procedure Law Sections 160.58 and 160.59. Section 160.59, effective October 2017, has created a new opportunity for individuals who have not been convicted of a crime in the past ten years to apply to have their criminal convictions sealed.

Due to the individual nature of applying this new law, Mr. Porter is unable to state that any conviction will be automatically sealed. However, he was able to provide certain requirements a person must meet in order to apply to have a conviction sealed under the new law, primarily including but not limited to:

• The individual may have up to two convictions, including only one felony conviction; • To be considered an “eligible offense” the conviction(s) must not have Amanda Colton been for any of the following: ◦ sex offenses, ◦ other crimes requiring sex offender registration, ◦ Class A felonies (including but not limited to the following non-violent felonies: aggravated enterprise corruption, criminal possession or sale of a controlled substance in the first or second degree, operating as a major trafficker or conspiracy in the first degree) ◦ violent felonies, and ◦ attempts to commit any ineligible offenses under the categories listed above; • It must have been at least ten years since either ◦ the date the sentence was imposed, or ◦ the date of release from the individual’s last period of incarceration; and

whether to grant a sealing application, including: • the amount of time since the individual’s last conviction, • the circumstances of the offense the individual seeks to have sealed, • any other convictions, • the individual’s character, • statements by any victims of the offense, • the impact sealing will have on the individual’s reintegration into society, and • the impact sealing will have on the public.

Any experienced criminal attorney can help individuals determine whether they are eligible for sealing and to guide them through the sealing application process.

The attorneys at Conboy, McKay, Bachman & Kendall, LLP, with offices in Jefferson County and St. Lawrence County, understand this new law and have begun aiding clients in having their criminal records sealed. n AMANDA COLTON is from Ogdensburg. In 2016, Amanda received her J.D. from Hofstra University and she is currently pending admission to the bar. Once admitted, Amanda will be practicing in the areas of domestic relations and criminal law.

• The individual must not have been convicted of any new crimes during the ten-year waiting period.

Once the application is filed, the local district attorney’s office has forty-five (45) days to notify the court whether they will oppose sealing the record.

Then a judge must consider a number of factors in determining

March 2018 | NNY Business

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20 QU E STIONS

PHOTOS BY AMANDA MORRISON

D

SUCCESS FROM THE START

oreen Garrett started a gun-cleaning business in Lyons Falls at age 16. That business, Otis Technology, is now Lewis County’s largest private employer. She has since expanded her endeavors into the restaurant, distilling, outdoor recreational sports venue and events businesses. NNY Business recently sat down to sit down to talk with her about the path her career has taken and what the future holds.

NNYB: At the age of 16, you started Otis Technology, a gun-cleaning kit company that grew exponentially into what it is today. How did you come up with the idea to start such a company?

GARRETT: Well, I fell in the snow and the mud hunting with my dad. I didn’t really plan on having a business. I wanted to be a patent attorney, actually, when I was younger. So I was intrigued with that. Entrepreneurism is in our blood; my dad and his family are all entrepreneurs. So I fell in the mud, went home; it was very disappointing. I had all sorts of stuff in my gun, had to clean it, there was nothing out in the field, so I went home. My grandfather was 34 | NNY Business | March 2018

n From teen entrepreneur to restaurateur, Doreen Garrett has maintained focus on customers.

10th Mountain Division in World War II, so they would go in the mountains and they would carry a little string with a weight on the end of it – I’ve done a lot of research; it’s called a plumb and I have a lot of them now, because everyone I meet says, “Oh, I have one of those, I’ll send it to you.” I have a little collection of World War II cleaning kits – so I put that in a shoe polishing tin and started carrying that when I went hunting, and my dad’s hunting buddy said, “Oh, that’s a novel idea.” My dad had a screw-machine business in Utica and he had a woman engineer, so I apprenticed under her that summer.

I took drafting in 7th grade or something, and I came up with components that would mimic my grandfather’s idea. My dad made them, and I begged him to take me to a trade show. We went to the trade show and set the booth up; my mom was going to help me and my dad was going to look for work. It’s kind of a funny story now – that was 1985 – and I went to go back in to do the trade show and they were like, “Where do you think you’re going little lady?” “To my

booth.” “How old are you?” “16.” And they said you have to be 18 to get into the show. So I turned to my mom and we went up into the hotel room. It was the 80s; the hair went higher and the heels went on and I walked back in and did my first trade show. It was just going to be market research, and two of the nation’s largest distributors at the time – Faber Brothers and Outdoor Sports – placed orders for 500 units each. So I went home, hired two friends from high school and started making gun-cleaning kits on my parents’ kitchen table, and that’s all she wrote. It’s been just a crazy ride.

NNYB: What did Otis Technology originally start as and how did it develop into the premiere brand in the sporting goods, military and law enforcement market, with sales soaring during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

GARRETT: I vowed on that hunting trip that I would make a product that wouldn’t fail in the field, so it was the highest quality. We listened

2 0 Q U E S T I O NS The Doreen Garrett File AGE: 49 JOB: Chair of board, Otis Technology; owner, Saint Lawrence Spirits Chateau; and Lucky Star Ranch FAMILY: Husband Jody; daughters Ariana and Ondraya; stepsons Andy, Bill and wife Jenn; grandchildren Logan, Tanner, Onnika, Aleeya, Edgar, and Harrison due in May HOMETOWN: Clayton EDUCATION: SUNY Polytechnic Institute CAREER: Entrepreneur LAST BOOK YOU’VE READ AND WOULD RECOMMEND: Building A Story Brand, by Donald Miller

have to. I really try to share that knowledge.

NNYB: What hurdles did you face as a young woman entering the world of business, specifically the gun-cleaning business?

to our customers – which was huge – went out and just talked to gunsmiths and different sales reps, just developed a very unique niche market.

We started doing business with L.L. Bean over 25 years ago; we private-labeled for them. It was great teamwork; we still sell to them today. We’re really good friends, we’ve kind of grown with them. It was really good doing business with that level of company because it makes you get better. So we were ready for the military when they came to us. Some of the Marines were buying their kits from L.L. Bean, but they didn’t want a universal kit, they wanted a kit specific for the caliber. They didn’t want to buy more than they needed to. My dad was the face of the company for a long time, because a young girl trying to teach a general a new way to clean a gun didn’t go over very well. So you’ve kind of got to pick and choose where you go. But we developed kits for those different weapons, and then 2001 came around and we had gotten National Stock Numbers – actually, Congressman (John) McHugh helped me get my first stock number – and then it just rolled. It’s just making a high quality product, and when someone’s life depends on it working, the value proposition is huge.

NNYB: As such a young entrepreneur, who helped you navigate starting the business?

GARRETT: I think people get put into your

life at certain times and you just need to realize that they’re there, because they’re the next part of that journey to help you. So I’ve always surrounded myself with talent, and people that can do the job better than I can. My family, bar none, has been the biggest blessing. If it wasn’t for my mom and dad or my three siblings running the company… we all did our own little niche in the company: my brother engineering; my other brother manufacturing; I did the CFO/CEO function; and my sister was in sales. We were all in and still are all in. We don’t work there dayto-day, on a daily basis, but we can stay out and think strategically now, which is nice.

NNYB: What resources did you utilize to help understand the business’s development?

GARRETT: The Small Business (Development) Center, the (Lewis County Industrial Development Agency) helped; I got microloans, I got loans from the Lewis County IDA. Jefferson National Bank was my first big loan; that’s a whole other story. I’ve been through a lot of hard lessons I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through. I think that’s why I really like doing a lot of entrepreneurial speaking, or why I won’t turn down an interview. Because I think even if just one person reads it and gets something out of it, it was worth it, because there’s so many things I learned the hard way that I don’t want other people to have to go through if they don’t

GARRETT: Well, being young in a maledominated industry. But it is refreshing, over the 30 years growing up in the industry, to see how many women CEO and presidents of companies there are now. Before, when I would do a trade show, they would have like a Playboy centerfold in the booth and it’s hard to be a young woman and go and try to be professional when that’s happening in the booth next door. So, that has all changed. I always said, “Oh, when I turn 30 they’ll take me seriously,” and then when I turned 30, “Oh, when I turn 40…” because I had the type of parents that “can’t” wasn’t in our vocabulary and I think when people said I couldn’t do something, that was just more fuel for the fire to say, “Well, watch me.”

NNYB: In 2014, you decided to step down as CEO of the company. What brought you to that decision?

GARRETT: It was a five-year transition. The family knew that we were all going to transition out and we put bench strength in place to do that. My CFO actually stepped up into the CEO seat, and I’m chair of the board now. So it was kind of like a promotion; I don’t call it stepping down, I call it stepping up.

NNYB: What role do you play in the company now?

GARRETT: I chair the board. We do our quarterly board meetings, we set strategy. I sit in on a weekly WebEx conference call with all my senior managers just to kind of keep the feel.

I still get cc’ed on every customer comment, which is important to me because I can see what’s happening in the company by it, and we can react faster from the top down if I see March 2018 | NNY Business

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H EA LT H Y W OMEN

Maternal Depression Recognized

By NORAH MACHIA

M NNY Business

any women experience some symptoms of the “baby blues” after childbirth, which can include mood swings, sadness, crying and irritability. These feelings are usually triggered by a combination of factors – a sudden change in hormones after delivery, stress, isolation, and/or sleep deprivation.

But for other women, it can be a much more serious condition known as postpartum depression. It occurs in approximately 15 percent of new mothers, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Mothers with this condition experience extreme feelings of sadness, anxiety and exhaustion, and find it difficult to care for themselves and/or their babies.

In January, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced new regulations that would require all health insurance policies to cover maternal depression screening. He also stated an awareness campaign would be launched at the state level to address the stigma of maternal depression.

The

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maternal depression screening could help provide for better diagnosis and treatment of women suffering from postpartum depression, the governor stated. He also noted “too many women lack access to information about available services,” and that sometimes stigma becomes a barrier between families and the mental health services they may need.

At least one Watertown health agency has already been providing this type of screening to mothers of newborns, and it’s become an important service that has helped increase awareness of postpartum depression, said one medical official.

“We were actually proactive on this issue, even before this was announced,” said Dr. Jana Shaw, chief medical officer at the North country Family Health Center, 238 Arsenal St. “We started routine postpartum screening of new mothers nearly two years ago.”

Staff at the health center provide a questionnaire to all new mothers during the intake process. If it’s determined a woman has some level of postpartum depression, “our providers help the mother obtain any necessary counseling,” Dr. Shaw said.

The North country Family Health Center has a number of options to provide help, either during her pregnancy or after the baby is born, she said.

They have both a psychologist and licensed clinical social worker on staff, along with a community outreach advocate.

A referral could also be made back to the woman’s

obstetrician, if she is still under his or her care.

For more serious cases, the clinic also offers the services of a psychiatrist via its telemedicine program. “Our approach to helping the patient would depend on the nature and severity” of her condition, Dr. Shaw said.

There are warning signs a mother may be a candidate for postpartum depression, Dr. Shaw said. For example, a mother who shows signs of depression and/or anxiety during her pregnancy is more likely to develop postpartum depression after the birth of her child, she said.

Postpartum depression can impact a new mother in several ways, including affecting her ability to eat, sleep and take proper care of her newborn and/or herself. But the condition is not always obvious to the mother herself, who may believe what she is feeling is just the normal “baby blues,” said Dr. Shaw.

“Sometimes the new mother just doesn’t feel well, but she does not know what the problem is,” she said. “That’s where screening can help both the mother and the provider recognize it.”

The “baby blues” typically appear for a week or two after delivery, and the symptoms (excessive crying, irritability, mood swings) will usually go away on their own, Dr. Shaw said. But postpartum depression is more serious, creating a situation in which the mother is just unable to care for herself and her newborn, and the condition could last weeks, or even months, if not properly treated by a health care professional, she said.

The North country Family Health Center offers a program called Healthy Outcomes, which averages about 40 patients a year, including some who were referred after completing the screening questionnaire, said Cheryl Fazio, clinical operations officer for the center.

It offers care to patients both during their pregnancies, and after their babies are born, through a coordinated team effort of doctors, nurses and social workers.

“If needed, we keep a close eye on the patient, calling between appointments to check on her,” Mrs. Fazio said.

The program can also help with other needs, such as safe housing, food, counseling, transportation, insurance or baby supplies. For more information, contact the center at 315-782-6400.

H E ALT H Y W O M E N

Brain-healthy Habits to Embrace

C

ognitive decline is a condition that is often associated with aging, but even middle-aged people can experience memory loss or cognition issues.

The Alzheimer's Association says that more than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. By 2050, that number could rise to as high as 16 million people. More than 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer's or another dementia, says the Canadian Alzheimer's Association.

Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, living a long, vibrant life may be possible by encouraging some healthy habits for the brain. It is never too late or too early to begin health and lifestyle changes.

EXERCISE Becoming more active can improve brain volume, reduce risk for dementia and improve thinking and memory skills. The journal Neurology found that older people who vigorously exercise performed better on cognitive tests than others of the same age, placing them at the equivalent of 10 years younger. Increased blood flow that occurs with physical activity may help generate new neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with learning and memory.

The Harvard Medical School says aerobic exercise may help improve brain tissue by improving blood flow and reducing the chances of injury to the brain from cholesterol buildup in blood vessels.

QUIT SMOKING The Alzheimer's Association indicates that evidence shows smoking increases the risk of cognitive decline. Smoking can impair blood flow to the brain and cause small strokes that may damage blood vessels.

whole grains, fish-based proteins, unsaturated fats, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. Neurologists state that, while research on diet and cognitive function is limited, diets, such as Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to a lower risk of cognitive issues.

CONSUME CAFFEINE Caffeine may help boost memory performance and brain health.

A Journal of Nutrition study found people ages 70 and older who consumed more caffeine scored better on tests of mental function than those who consumed less caffeine. Caffeine may help improve attention span, cognitive function and feelings of well-being. Information from Psychology Today also indicates caffeine may help in the storage of dopamine, which can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety. In addition, compounds in cocoa and coffee beans may improve vascular health and help repair cellular damage due to high antioxidant levels.

WORK THE BRAIN Engaging in mentally stimulating activities can create new brain connections and more backup circuits, states Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. Working the brain through puzzles, reading and participating in social situations can stimulate the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule essential for repairing brain cells and creating connections between them.

EAT HEALTHY FOODS Foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels also are good for the brain. These include fresh fruits and vegetables,

A good way to combine these lifestyle factors is to take an exercise class with friends, mixing the social, stimulation and exercise recommendations together.

Cognitive decline can come with aging, but through healthy habits, people can reduce their risk of memory loss and dementia. ~M.S.

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COM M E R CE CORNER

E

Creating a Mom-Friendly Workplace

very working mother has likely had the personal conflict of career and family. Whether you are a new mom, have small babies or older children, balancing being a mom and being a professional can be a challenge. Financially supporting home and or child care, managing the many other duties that come with running a household and building or maintaining a professional career take a lot of balance and often sacrifice. In an ideal world, sacrifice is minimal and a woman wanting both family and career can have it. Note: Most of this applies to fathers too.

More and more women are in the workforce, and more women are in top level positions at companies. Women bring skills to the workplace and companies need to be mindful of how they embrace motherhood so that they are not losing skilled professionals in their organizations. Depending on the size and resources of the company, a few creative ideas are:

ON-SITE CHILD CARE: Ideal for larger companies that would have 5 or more children needing care. Companies who have the space and ability to hire a provider and Brooke Rouse comply with any regulations, will find that there is less absenteeism, lower turnover and increased productivity among employees.

LACTATION ROOM: Ideal for work environments where employees don’t have private offices.

Nursing mothers need a place to pump milk during work hours. A small, simple, private space with electrical outlets, comfortable chair and a small refrigerator would make this

duty of motherhood much more appealing.

FLEXTIME: Ideal for employees who have independent responsibilities.

Providing the option for employees to make their own schedule (fulfilling the expected hours) as well as allowing the ability to work from home for part of the schedule allows flexibility to work within child care availability and individual needs. There are several mobile applications and computer conferencing options that allow for time clock recording as well as personal contact, in a remote setting, if accountability is ever a concern.

As a new mom (2 month old and 2 year old) in a management position, I have been listening very closely to female mentors who have made it work.

One of the most important tips I carry is to be there when you say you will.

Identify when it is essential for you to be there, whether it is a work or family commitment. You may not be able to make it to every single soccer game, but if you tell your child you will be to the final game or senior night, be there.

This goes for being there when you tell your partner or child care provider that you will pick up and care for the children at a certain time. You may not be able to participate in every meeting or event at work, but understanding which ones are the most important for you to attend, and then making sure to be there. Communicating this effort with your employer and your family will let them both know that when it is important, and when you make a commitment, you will be there. You may not be able to be there for everything at work, like you used to, but you are remaining professional, are committed to your responsibilities and still adding as much value to your company as you always were.

n BROOKE ROUSE is executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Promotion Agent. She is a business owner, holds a master’s degree in tourism and is a former SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center Advisor. Contact her at brouse@ stlawrencecountychamber.org or 315-3864000.

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N O N P RO FIT S T O D AY

Personal Testimonies Show NNY Pride “When we decided to move back we wanted to create the culture that we wanted to live in. If it’s something that we love, then we want to help create it. In many ways, if you live in a small community, where you give helps to decide what becomes important. If you want a certain community and you want it to have a certain feel or if there’s an area that you want to strengthen, then you have to go do that.” -Jeff Ginger “There are a lot of negative aspects of humanity, but you often find what you look for.

If you're looking for the positives in others, you want to recognize the positive gifts that have been given you and then the best way to say thank you is to give them to someone else. It is important to give back to that community. It’s where we raise our kids. It’s our community. It’s our home. We decided to live here, and we want to see the community flourish.” –Brenna Ginger

I

n 2016, through this column, the Community Foundation, in partnership with WPBS-TV announced the launch of an oral history initiative: Northern New York Community Podcast- Stories from the Heart of Our Community. The intent was to capture personal testimonials about their life in the region, why they’ve chosen to live here, and the various ways they’ve found to enrich their experiences through their community and the organizations that make it special. Since that time, 23 interviews have been conducted, with more scheduled. The full conversations are available at www.nnycpodcast.com.

As more interviews have been completed, they have come to provide an interesting, diverse and varied portrait, representing Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Some of the interviews are well-known names, but I’ll bet there are some that you don’t know. The more the project progresses, we’ve been able to uncover some great gems of civic pride. While you can find a common thread in the stories, each one has its own special message. One of the primary goals was to capture the essence of what has driven community involvement and citizenship across the generations. It was hoped that providing insight into how others have seen their role in shaping their commu-

nity’s quality of life could provide the backdrop for conversations with those who will inherit that same community. We still maintain that this type of inspiration will Rande Richardson be an important enduring legacy of this endeavor.

As we’ve begun to capture stories in a multigenerational way, the podcasts help provide valuable insight into the means through which those who will inherit our community will strive to make a difference. I would recommend taking the time to listen to Jeff and Brenna Ginger’s podcast. This young couple was raised in the north country, went away, and came back start their own family and careers. Their message of proactively helping to create the community they want to live in embodies both the mission of the podcast initiative, but also of the Community Foundation itself. The most transformational leadership within all of our region’s nonprofit organizations carry that theme. It is this

type of lead-by-example thinking that distinguishes good from great.

Other than our Youth Philanthropy program and our Young Professional LEAD program, documenting these stories has become one of the Foundation’s most transformational endeavors.

Their example can encourage us all to more deeply explore what makes for a fulfilling life. If that is accomplished, our community and the organizations that help enhance it will be much better positioned to continue the tradition and heritage of what makes Northern New York so special.

This is an ongoing initiative and we want to continue to broaden their scope and reach. Part of doing good comes not only in the good itself, but as a catalyst to inspire others. The best way to honor our community’s history and heritage is to perpetuate its relevancy through meaningful expressions of care. If there is a story that needs telling, there is no better time to inspire than now. Our community’s future is calling.

n RANDE RICHARDSON is executive director of the Northern New York Community Foundation. He is a lifelong Northern New York resident and former funeral director. Contact him at rande@nnycf.org.

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