New York SBDC

Local food businesses create gathering places, build customer relationships, and give people a reason to come back.

Ray Brothers Barbeque in Bouckville, NY, is a hospitality business built around food, service, entertainment, and community connection. Founded in 2014 by Tucker Ray, the business has grown from 17 full-time employees to a seasonal team of 40–49. Eight original team members are still with the business today, reflecting the culture and consistency the team has worked to build.

With guidance from the North Central Small Business Development Center and Business Advisor Paul Brooks, Ray Brothers Barbeque refined its systems, planned for sustainable growth, and moved forward with a major expansion that included a full bar room and a large-scale production kitchen.

That growth has helped the business take on larger catering opportunities, including events serving more than 4,000 meals.

On Get to Know Your Customers Day, their story is a reminder that customer connection is not just about a single transaction. It is built through service, consistency, community, and the experience that brings people back.

New York SBDC client Elissa Rand, owner of Cleaned To Perfection, is helping show what real-world AI adoption can look like for small businesses.

As part of the broader conversation around America’s SBDC AI Day, Elissa’s story will be highlighted in a same-day Washington, D.C. discussion focused on what is holding back small business AI adoption, the support she received from an AI U-trained SBDC advisor, and how SBDC training is translating into real applications for small business owners.

Small business owners, advisors, and partners can also take part in America's SBDC AI Day Virtual Summit, a free online event happening July 16 from 2–4 p.m. ET. The summit will explore how AI is shaping small business operations, growth, and advising.

Learn more and register for the free virtual summit: https://americassbdc.org/AIday/

Sybil's Yarn Shop owner Jeanetta Osterhoudt first connected with the Southern Tier Small Business Development Center through a Small Business Training course as she worked toward a local microenterprise grant opportunity.

While she was not awarded the grant, the connection still mattered. During the course, Jeanetta met other entrepreneurs and continued to build the kind of local support network that would become even more important months later.

On July 18, 2025, a fire in the Village of Milford destroyed the building that housed Sybil's Yarn Shop. In the weeks that followed, customers and community members helped raise funds, gather supplies, move, set up the new shop, and support the purchase of new inventory.

By September, Jeanetta had reopened Sybil's Yarn Shop in Cooperstown, NY, where she has continued to welcome customers and offer knitting classes.

Her story is a reminder that business resilience is often built through preparation, persistence, and the people who show up when it matters most.

Photos courtesy of Sybil's Yarn Shop.

Sharing an opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses exploring AI-powered ideas or practical AI use cases.

Eficens Systems LLC is accepting submissions for AWS Virtual Pitch Week, a national virtual pitch opportunity for businesses interested in using AI to address business challenges, improve operations, support customer service, or bring new ideas to market.

Submissions are due August 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selected businesses will participate in virtual pitch sessions during August 19–22, 2026.

Interested businesses can review the details and submit directly through Eficens Systems’ pitch website: https://www.eficens.ai/aws-pitch-week

A great Capital Region small business story! Eme and Dylan Bunce launched LawnBugs LLC in Cohoes, and Eme shared a line that will resonate with a lot of entrepreneurs: “I realized that while we might never have felt 100% ready, that doesn’t mean the time wasn’t right to go for it.”

Congratulations to Eme and Dylan on their first year in business and continued growth. Great to see local guidance, relationships, and resources supporting their small business journey.

NY Capital Region SBDC