ON THE JOB
How Has Your Business Changed Over the Years? Interviews by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
“Over the last couple of years our business made a change from in-person meetings to a hybrid mix. The new world we live in because of COVID-19 forced the agents to embrace technology in their marketing as well as how they interact with buyers and sellers. We are conducting showings virtually, virtually staging houses and using a platform for online signatures. Our meetings are a mixture of online and in-person.” Eric Pedrotti Licensed real estate associate broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, CNY Realty, North Syracuse and Oswego. “Chirello Advertising celebrates 27 years this year. Along the way, I’ve seen many changes in the marketing landscape. For print advertising and collateral, we’ve gone from reflective art to PDFs and from faxes to emails. While in-person meetings and discussion are more important than ever, we accomplish so much these days communicating with clients through our desktop, laptop or phone. The media mix has changed dramatically. The diversity of media and measuring its effectiveness has improved significantly. We have more marvelous options than ever to develop the right combination of media and public relations for each and every client. Search marketing, social media advertising and content management, streaming television and the overwhelming power of video across multiple platforms give clients tremendous clout in reaching and engaging with their audience. Through the years, it’s always been satisfying to find the right mix for clients and these days, it’s more fun and rewarding than ever.” Steve Chirello Owner, Steve Chirello Advertising, Fulton. “Since I have been in business in 1980, the real estate business has changed dramatically. The internet was huge with marketing all of our listings to potential clients. Over time, the cell
phone has taken over as the way for agents to be their own mobile office. They can do everything right from their hand and don’t need to be tied to a desk all day long. Technology keeps changing my business every year.” William Galloway Broker/owner Century 21 Galloway Realty, Oswego. “My company, Women TIES, is celebrating 18 years in business on March 3. Since starting the company, I expanded it to include a division: The Women’s Athletic Network, which brings women entrepreneurs and women in business together to attend sporting or adventure events and network while doing them. The WAN celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with plans to expand the type of events and number of women attending them. I also added a Women’s Equality Division after taking 120 women to the Women’s March on DC in 2017 and continue to promote feminist agendas and female politicians who run for office.” Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham Founder/president, Women TIES, LLC, Syracuse. “Since established in 1755, Fort Ontario has changed from soldiers using muzzleloading smoothbore muskets to
16 OSWEGO COUNTY BUSINESS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2023
muzzleloading rifle-muskets followed by breechloading single shot rifles followed by bolt-action, semi-automatic, and automatic rifles and since 1962 backwards to muzzleloading smoothbore muskets and rifle-muskets by museum staff.” Paul Lear Historic site manager, Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Oswego. “I graduated high school in 1977 and shortly thereafter began working roofing exclusively until the opportunity to buy the company and expanded it to include building, insulating, siding and windows. In 2002, I decided what I really wanted to do was become a developer and decided it must be in the city of Oswego only and started by purchasing the former Buckhout-Jones building as my first development. From there I was hooked, and realized I had a passion to create and change buildings. The ride has been crazy, but I would do it all again and look forward to the next opportunity. Oswego is incredibly beautiful and the opportunities still endless.” Tony Pauldine, Owner Anthony M. Pauldine General Contractors, Inc. “The business of Oswego County
