Small Business Council of Rochester

A Greater Rochester Chamber affiliate

SBC Means Business.

The Small Business Council of Rochester (SBC), an affiliate of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, has a lot to offer businesses in the Greater Rochester area. Led by an entirely volunteer but dedicated group of Rochester’s small business leaders, the Small Business Council of Rochester is committed to providing Rochester’s business community with programs to help local business leaders, and their businesses, grow and prosper – both personally and professionally.

Upcoming Events

Experience the SBC at our upcoming events:

Connecting

SBC of Rochester, in partnership with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, also hosts several business Networking Events that provide you with the opportunity to meet with local business people to share current issues and discuss opportunities with company leaders from throughout the Rochester area. These events help you broaden your business relationships, learn strategies for success from peers in other businesses, and have a little fun along the way.

Caring

A key initiative of the SBC of Rochester is to give back to the community that has served us so well through our flagship SBC Cares programs. Over the years, SBC Cares has expanded from our annual Thanksgiving food drive that delivers in excess of 3,000 food boxes to organizations serving local families in need, to including the SBC Cares Backpack Giveback.

Celebrating

The SBC, in partnership with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce hosts their Business Person of the Year awards annually. This program recognizes small business leaders who have demonstrated success in both civic and professional areas, specifically in the areas of growth, leadership, achievement, and community service. This event has evolved into one of the premier networking and business recognition events in Greater Rochester region.

Coaching

It begins with a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs covering marketing, human resources, information technology, finance, and more – providing you with new and innovative ideas, strategies and practical tools to take back and implement in your business.

Mission & Vision

VISION: The Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, will be the resource of choice for Small Businesses and those who help us serve them.

MISSION: The Small Business Council of Rochester, an affiliate of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, will foster a caring community that celebrates small business by delivering premier programs and events that promote business growth in the greater Rochester region.

WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THE SBC MISSION BY:

Connecting – Holding high-impact networking events
Caring – Practicing year-round community outreach and benevolence
Celebrating – Recognizing local small business and successful business leaders
Coaching – Providing access to member organizations that offer services/counsel to small businesses
Community – Creating an intimate culture for networking and connecting small businesses

Small Business Council Programs

Success in business is no accident.That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs, seminars, workshops, and social events designed with your business success in mind. As a Small Business Council / Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce member, you’ll have advance notice—and often exclusive access—to these programs and events, providing you with up-to-the-minute information and valuable business insights.

Connecting

Networking Events & Social Hour
No agenda. No pressure. Just a relaxed, casual atmosphere to unwind with fellow members. Our networking events series takes us to happy hours and cocktail receptions at fun and exciting venues around #ROC. Whether you’re looking to make business connections, spend time after office hours with coworkers, or meet new friends, our networking events are what you choose to make of them.
Small Business Council Annual Golf Outing
This fundraiser golf outing is an 18-hole, “scramble” format tournament, typically held in September. Participants look forward to this event as it is one of the last of the local summer tournaments.
A 12:00 p.m. shotgun start is followed by a networking reception and dinner. Participants enjoy the day’s events and appreciate being on the road, home (or even back to the office) by 7:00 p.m.

Caring

SBC Cares Programs
Small Business Council (SBC Cares) Thanksgiving Food Drive
Each year, the Small Business Council, a Greater Rochester Chamber affiliate, provide Thanksgiving food boxes to families in need. This event takes place the Friday before Thanksgiving, as participating companies drop off their food boxes to a specified location. Dozens of volunteers then gather the next day to deliver the baskets to local, not-for-profit organizations who serve these families. This Thanksgiving, the SBC seeks to meet the needs of more than 4,000 local families. SBC has donated the cash equivalent of over $1,250,000 in food supplies to families for over 20 years.
- View Our YouTube Video >

Celebrating

Annual Business Person of the Year Awards Program
The Small Business Council, in partnership with the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce hosts their Business Person of the Year awards annually. This program recognizes business leaders who have demonstrated success in both civic and professional areas, specifically in the areas of growth, leadership, achievement, and community service. Candidates are nominated by their peers and an independent committee reviews applications and selects finalists. The Business Person of the Year awards program celebrates the ultimate recipients in each their categories. This event has evolved into one of the premier networking and business recognition events in Greater Rochester region.

Coaching

Professional Development Event Series
No matter your status in the business world (eg. entrepreneur, next generation, professional woman, student, etc.) these professional development event series is here to benefit you. These event series are made up of interactive workshop presentations that aim to bring business expertise to a diverse audience. Each session offers guidance and advice from experts in their field and serves as a discussion starter to carry on well beyond the event.

SBC Board of Directors

Steve Hogan President HR Works, Inc. Email Term Start Date: 2016 Term End Date: 2026	Bob Cieslica Treasurer & Secretary M&T Bank Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	Sarah Compter Past President SYNACT, Inc. Email Term Start Date: 2018 Term End Date: 2024
Alma Vieru LMT Technology Solutions Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	Andrea Truini True Allied Financial Partners Email Term Start Date: 2021 Term End Date: 2025	Anthony Pitti, CRPS The Pitti Group Wealth Management Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025
Christopher L. Sassone, CFP®/CLTC Davie Kaplan Wealth Care Advisors, LLC Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	Katarine B. Polozie Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	David Kolczynski Care-a-lot Email Term Start Date: 2024 Term End Date: 2026
Emily Hill, CPA Insero & Co., CPAs, LLP Email Term Start Date: 2024 Term End Date: 2026	Eric Gilbert U.S. Employee Benefits Group Email Term Start Date: 2016 Term End Date: 2025	Ginny Ryan Canandaigua National Bank and Trust Email Term Start Date: 2024 Term End Date: 2026
Jordan Daniels Brighton Securities Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	Kristy Gonzalez IntegrateXpress LLC Email Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025	Maureen "Mo" Hill Salvation Army Email Term Start Date: 2024 Term End Date: 2026
Peter Gregory Goldberg Segalla Email Term Start Date: 2022 Term End Date: 2024	Ted Messner Messner Flooring Email Term Start Date: 2024 Term End Date: 2026	Timothy Levine ESL Federal Credit Union Email Term Start Date: 2018 Term End Date: 2024
Tom DeGrave ENALAS Group Term Start Date: 2023 Term End Date: 2025

Resources

Here’s a list of links to strategic business resources that may be helpful in supporting various aspects of your business operations:

IMPORTANT: Greater Rochester Chamber and The SBC of Rochester do not endorse any of the Web sites listed herein and are not responsible for the content provided on these sites.

Hear what Greater Rochester Chamber members have to say about its Small Business Council:

"I had no idea the dividends being part of SBC would pay personally and professionally. Not only have I developed personal friendships, I have generated new client relationships. Our company would not have the experienced the same level of success without our involvement in the SBC."

Tim Mason
President & CEO, Mason Marketing LLC and Mason Digital LLC

Sarah Compter knows a thing or two about wearing many hats. As President and Owner of SYNACT, Inc., Sarah works with her team to provide all-inclusive CRM solutions customized to clients’ unique business processes. As a new member of the SBC, Sarah has already made an impact, using her expertise to give back to the local business community.

All Greater Rochester Chamber members have access to all that its Small Business Council has to offer. For more information, please contact
Cassidy Pendell, Events, Training & Affiliates Specialist and Liason to the Small Business Council at Cassidy.Pendell@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.

Small Business Council of Rochester

A Greater Rochester Chamber affiliate

SBC Means Business.

Upcoming Events

Connecting

Caring

Celebrating

Coaching

Connecting

Caring

Celebrating

Coaching

Hear what Greater Rochester Chamber members have to say about its Small Business Council:

Connecting | Caring | Celebrating | Coaching

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