A positive FEBRUARY 2018

www.sibiztrends.com

change GIVE BACK

The gift of giving comes full circle.
Tax cuts, Jobs Act Page 2
of 2017 to have
positive effect on SCORE
What to do when you inherit a business.
small biz, experts say
Page 6
By JESSICA JONES-GORMAN
Business Trends
WEEKLY MEETINGS
When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Attend an event on the Island this month.
Act was signed into law at the
end of December, businesses Page 4
were inundated with news about
the rampant changes that will
take effect this year: New rules
for deductions, changes in in-
come and capital gains rates,
Chamber installs new board officers
adjustments to charitable dona-
tions. But after a month of sift-
ing through this sweeping tax
overhaul, deciphering all of the
details and considering the bill’s
overall long-term impact, ex-
perts have since compiled a com-
prehensible breakdown.
“The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
of 2017 really does live up to its
name,” noted John Vento, a CPA
with offices in New Dorp. “All
provisions are geared toward
lowering tax expenses for small
business owners, and one of its
aims is to create jobs as well.”
Vento, who is also the author STEVE WHITE/Business Trends
of “Financial Independence The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce had its Small Business Outlook Breakfast and installed new board
(Getting to Point X): An Advi- officers for 2018 at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn. The guest speaker was Kevin Moriarty, senior vice president
sor’s Guide to Comprehensive of Wells Fargo Advisors. Above, board members are pictured with Chamber President Linda Baran and Chair-
Wealth Management,” has been man of the Board Glen Cutrona (both in the center).

N.Y. introduces Paid Family Leave legislation

studying the new tax laws for
several months, deciphering the
changes for an addendum to his
book.
“There is a lot to talk about,
a huge hit list of changes,” the
CPA said. “But overall I think
for businesses, this is a very pos-
itive adjustment.”
According to Vento, one of the
please see TAXES, page 9
By JESSICA JONES-GORMAN
Business Trends
On Jan. 1, New York joined three other
states – California, New Jersey and Rhode
Island – in requiring employers to provide
eight weeks of job-protected Paid Family
Leave that can be used alongside the Family
Medical Leave Act benefit. The legislation,
introduced by Gov. Cuomo in 2016, is great
news for employees and features plenty of
layers, but the new law does require some
compliance adjustments for employers.
“As this new benefit is introduced into the
workplace, employers might face some chal-
lenges in terms of understanding the differ-
ences between FMLA and PFL,” noted Ellen
McCann, assistant vice president and legal
counsel for Unum, a Tennessee-based For-
tune 500 insurance company and one of the
please see LEAVE, page 18

Workforce Forum
NYC Comptroller hosts forum
for Staten Island.
Page 10
2 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018
The gift of giving comes full circle
Staten Island Giving Circle has been helping the needy for 10 years
By JESSICA JONES-GORMAN
Business Trends
Ten years ago, after reading
an article in Family Circle mag-
azine, Evelyn Kormanik was
inspired to start a small social
circle that would use monthly
meetings to help others in need.
“It was my New Year’s resolu-
tion to add something meaning-
ful to my life,” noted Kormanik,
who at the time was recently re-
tired, assisting the Staten Island
Mental Health Society as a read-
ing volunteer. “I’ve lived here for
many years and recognized how
blessed this borough is, but I also
knew there were so many pock-
ets of need.”
So she invited 24 friends and
neighbors to her Oakwood home
for coffee, cake and community
outreach. One month later, those
Give Back
Want to give back?
For more information, questions or if you are interested in joining
the Staten Island Giving Circle, visit www.statenislandgivingcircle.
org or email Evelyn Kormanik directly at sigivingcircle@aol.com.
The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at
the Old Bermuda Inn.
two dozen inaugural members To assist the borough’s under-
returned – and brought a friend. served children, seniors, home-
“I guess they liked my pista- less and veterans. Their projects
chio cake,” Kormanik laughed, and initiatives are many.
detailing how her small grass- “We started out small, team-
roots operation slowly started to ing up with Project Hospitality
grow. “I packed all of those peo- to organize events,” Kormanik
ple in my sunroom once a month said. “We began going to home-
for almost a year. But the gener- less shelters and hosting birth-
osity of this group quickly out- day parties for the children who
grew my home. Today, we have lived there.”
over 700 people on our email Those birthday parties grew
list.” into holiday parties and movie
Kormanik called her group nights – all geared at making
the Staten Island Giving Circle life a little more special for more
and gave it an official mission: please see GIVE, page 13
 FEBRUARY 2018– BUSINESS TRENDS 3

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 4 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018
Monday
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/
WBCLDC Small Bus. Counseling
– MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC,
705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appoint-
ment only. For info, call 718-816-
4775.
Kiwanis Club of Richmond Co.:
LaFontana Restaurant, 2879
Amboy Rd. 7 p.m. Call 718-420-
1966.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev.
Ctr. Business Counseling: CSI,
2800 Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No charge. For info, call the SBDC
at 718-982-2560.
Tuesday
Greater New Dorp Networking
Group: 8 a.m. Perkins Restaurant,
1409 Highland Blvd. For informa-
tion, call Steve Lombardo at 718-
702-8623.
Richmond Business Connections:
Z One, 1821 Richmond Ave. 8 a.m.
For information, call Ronald P.
Cutrone at (347) 258-8131 or visit
How Much House Can You Afford?
Reach out to our team to get started.
weekly meetings
http://rbcofsi.com.
SI Business Friends: 7:30 - 8:45
a.m. Hilton Garden Inn, 1100 South
Ave. For information, call Dr. Rich-
ard Bove at 718-938-5978 or visit
www.sibfnetwork.com.
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/
WBCLDC Small Bus. Counseling
– MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC,
705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appoint-
ment only. For info, call 718-816-
4775.
Direct120.com, Ultimate Think
Tank: Lorenzo’s, 1100 South Ave.
For info, visit www.direct120.com.
Kiwanis Club of South Shore:
LaFontana, 2879 Amboy Rd. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-370-2770.
SCORE Business Counseling:
Staten Island Advance Building,
950 W. Fingerboard Road. 9 a.m. to
noon. No appointment necessary.
No charge. For info, call 718-727-
1221.
Business Guild I of the S.I.
Chamber of Commerce: Hilton
Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45
a.m. Members and invited guests
only. Call Michael Anicito at 646-
606-2111.
Business Network Int’l. (BNI)
Network Alliance Chapter: Z-One
Lounge, 1821 Richmond Ave. 7 to
8:30 a.m. For info, call Timothy
Houston at 718-981-8600.
Rotary Club Staten Island: LiGre-
ci’s Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 12:30 to
1:30 p.m. Members and guests wel-
come. For info, call 718-370-3140.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev.
Ctr. Business Counseling: CSI,
2800 Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No charge. Call the SBDC at 982-
2560.
Wednesday
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/
WBCLDC Small Bus. Counseling
– MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC,
705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appoint-
ment only. Call 718-816-4775.
Gateway Rotary Club: La Strada,
139 New Dorp Lane. 7:15 a.m. For
info, call Adam at 718-986-0219.
Richmond County Referral Source:
please see GIVE, page 14
 FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 5

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6 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018

in our opinion

Valentines Day’s prep underway 198 Route 9 North, Suite 100

Manalapan, NJ 07726
732-358-5200

Take advantage of the extra spending that comes with this time of year Richard Donnelly
Ceo of newspaper media group

T
he fast-approaching Valen- candy. Almost $4 billion will be spent ing, it’s worth additional, Valentine’s Tim Ronaldson Joe Eisele
tine’s Day is, of course, a day on a night out with a significant Day-themed marketing to bring new executive editor publisher

ADVERTISING Bonnie Arciero

of love. But it’s also a big day
for businesses. Business owners
should prepare accordingly.
The National Retail Foundation
last year predicted Americans would
spend about $18.2 billion on Valen-
tine’s Day gifts. That figure actually
was down from 2016, when $19.7 bil-
lion was spent.
Business owners should want to
get into this game.
If you sell jewelry, flowers or candy,
you already know what to expect.
Of that $18.2 billion, $4 billion was
predicted to be spent on jewelry, $2
billion on flowers and $1.7 billion on
other.
Businesses that don’t specialize in
those areas don’t have to be left out,
though.
After all, according to the NRF’s
numbers, there’s still about $6 billion
in play this time of year.
For example, a WalletHub survey
found that 24 percent of singles buy
themselves Valentine’s Day gifts.
Also, 20 percents of respondents
purchased a little something for their
pets. Clearly, not everyone is buying
boxes of chocolates.
This time of year, when pocket-
books are open and people are spend-
customers in the door and perhaps
persuade long-time patrons to try
something a little different. The mar-
keting doesn’t have to be expensive,
just a reminder of the holiday and a
focus on what might be a unique and
unexpected gift for a loved one (or
pet, or yourself, etc.).
At the least, you should point out
one facet of the WalletHub survey:
Some 53 percent of the women sur-
veyed said they would break up with
their significant other if they didn’t
receive a Valentine’s Day gift.
Now there’s an incentive for folks
to get out there and buy some gifts.
circulation Director Pearl Harta
Staten Island Business Trends is published
monthly by Newspaper Media Group. It is
mailed monthly to business and community
leaders in Staten Island.
If you are not on the mailing list, six-month
subscriptions are available for $39.99. PDFs
of the publication are online, free of charge.
For information, call 732-358-5200.
To submit a news release, please email
news@sibiztrends.com. For advertising
information, call 646-481-4026 or email
bonnie@sibiztrends.com.
Business Trends welcomes suggestions and
comments from readers – including any
information about errors that may call for a
correction to be printed.

What to do when you unexpectedly inherit the family business

By BRIDGET WESTON POLLACK
Grieving the loss of a loved one is difficult enough. It’s
even harder when that loss suddenly pushes you into a
new role: business owner.
You’re not alone if you inherited the family business
with no formal succession plan in place. About 64 per-
cent of family companies don’t have a written succes-
sion plan, while another 19 percent have one “in prog-
ress,” according to a Deloitte survey.
Use these tips to find your footing after you’ve sudden-
ly inherited the family business.
• Develop a picture of the current business situation.
Talk with all the company’s current advisers, such as ac-
countants, attorneys or bankers, to develop a 360-degree
view of the company’s health. This lays the foundation
for making informed short-term decisions that keep the
business and your sanity intact.
Take time to review important documents, as well, in-
cluding bank statements, balance sheet, budget, business
plan, and debt documentation, such as paperwork for
loans and credit lines.
These conversations and resources will also help you
get a handle on the tax, legal and financial implications
of the transition.
• Communicate with stakeholders. An unexpected
transition often brings uncertainty for employees, cus-
tomers and vendors. Employees, especially, can be shak-
en by fear of losing their jobs. In some cases, team mem-
bers may mourn the loss of your loved one, too, which
can inject additional emotion into an already uncertain
situation.
As soon as reasonably possible, make time to explain
the company’s short-term plans, whether that’s commu-
nicating with key staff, such as managers and supervi-
sors, or talking directly with the employees themselves.
• Ask, “Is owning a business right for me?” If you’re
already comfortable with the idea of business owner-
ship, fantastic! But, if not, you should understand that
owning a business isn’t the right choice for everyone.
Making the decision to continue running a business
you’ve suddenly inherited isn’t easy. You may feel a sense
of obligation toward the loved one you lost. Or perhaps
you feel pressure to carry on a family legacy. Other fac-
tors may play a role, too. For example, the business may
employ other family members, which can add pressure
to do the “right thing” and stay on as owner.
However, taking on small business ownership can be
harmful to your physical and emotional well-being if
it’s not a responsibility you want. If you feel ambivalent
about it, take time to dig deeply to identify whether this
is the right path for you.
Ultimately, if you decide to step away from the family
business, there are several options aside from closing the
doors. Depending on the business structure, you might
sell your share to other partners or owners. Another op-
tion is to sell the business to an outside party.
• Start long-term planning. If you’re committed to
growing the family business, you’ll want to move out of
the triage mode that often follows an owner’s death and
into long-term planning that builds a foundation for sta-
bility, consistency and growth.
Two must-have tools include:
Business plan: From understanding the market to out-
lining a budget, this document defines what success for
your company looks like and what steps you’ll take to get
there.
Succession plan: Safeguard your family from finding
themselves in a similar position if you suddenly die or
become incapacitated. Work with professionals such as
accountants, attorneys and business advisers to develop
a plan that facilitates a deliberate and smooth transition
for the next owner.
• Work with a mentor. A SCORE mentor is an invalu-
able resource when you’ve suddenly inherited the family
business. Whether you need clarity on cash flow or guid-
ance on internal conflict resolution, a mentor will bring
please see SCORE, page 7
 FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 7

Photography For Your Next Event

What to do when you
inherit the family biz
SCORE
Continued from page 6
practical advice, fresh perspec-
tive and expert resources to the
situation so you can make deci-
sions with confidence.
And, if you’re struggling to
decide whether ownership is
right for you in the long-term, a
SCORE mentor is an ideal guide
for learning more about owning
That Will Last A Lifetime!
weddings
a family business.
sweet 16’s
anniversaries
Bridget Weston Pollack is the birthday
vice president of marketing and
communications at the SCORE As- parties
sociation. In this role, Bridget is
responsible for all branding, mar- corporate
keting, PR and communication ef-
forts. She focuses on implementing
events
marketing plans and strategies for much much
the organization to facilitate the
growth of SCORE’s mentoring and more!
trainings services.

Steve White
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Phone: 718.317.5025 Cell: 917.446.4029 Staten Arts Photography
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The YMCA Wants All Kids to be

Safe around the Water

New YMCA swim programs offer a mix of fun,
physical activity and safety.
Although summer may feel like a distant memory right
now, this year’s swim season is not as far away as it might
seem and it’s important to start preparing for a safe sum-
mer in and around the water.
The South Shore YMCA encourages Staten Island chil-
dren and parents to explore the many benefits of swim-
ming through new YMCA swim programs that help
participants enjoy water sports, enhance or learn new
techniques, meet new friends and develop confidence,
while also learning safety skills that can save lives.
“Water safety and swimming are important life skills in
the growth and development of all children,” said Mi-
chael Creegan, Aquatics Director for the South Shore
YMCA. “All children deserve access to water safety re-
sources that not only could save their lives, but enrich
them with an outlet for fun, healthy activity.”
As a leading nonprofit committed to youth develop-
ment, the Y has been a leader in providing swim lessons
and water safety for more than 100 years. The South
Shore YMCA continues to help youth and adults experi-
ence the joy and benefits of swimming, so they can be
healthy, confident and secure in the water. To ensure that
everyone has an opportunity to participate, financial as-
sistance is available to those in need to help cover the
costs.

To learn more about the South Shore YMCA’s swim programs,

please contact Michael Creegan at 718-227-3200 or mcreegan@ymcanyc.org.
Staten Island South Shore YMCA
3939 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10312 • (718) 227-3200
8 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018

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Tax changes to positively affect small businesses, experts say
TAXES
Continued from page 1
biggest changes business own-
ers will see in terms of deduc-
tions focuses on entertainment
expenses.
“Business entertainment ex-
penses have always been a 50
percent deduction,” Vento said.
“With this new tax law, those
expenses are no longer deduct-
ible. And in the area of business
meals, companies are now only
allowed to deduct 50 percent of
a meal provided on employer
premise, not 100 percent. Plus
things like country club dues
are no longer a write off, so busi-
nesses will have to make some
adjustments there as well. I
think the main implication we’ll
see here is that many businesses,
including larger corporations,
will no longer be able to provide
season tickets to sporting events
and other such perks.”
Lobbying expenses are no
longer deductible and employee
achievement awards that were
heretofore garnished with a
cash prize can no longer be given
– the reward now has to be tan-
gible property. And there’s a
provision in the law that affects
existing sexual harassment set-
tlements.
“If you’ve made a sexual ha-
rassment settlement as a busi-
ness owner that included a
non-disclosure agreement, that
settlement is no longer tax de-
ductible,” Vento said. “And in
today’s controversial climate on
this issue, that is a very timely
point.”
Almost all of the tax credits
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that were previously available
to businesses are still available
now, including those for re-
search and development.
“In the area of depreciations
expenses, there’s a section 179
deduction that allows businesses
to write off a certain amount
of furniture and equipment,”
Vento said.
“Effective Jan. 1, that deduc-
tion is increased to $1 million.
That’s a big incentive for busi-
nesses to reinvest in their com-
pany.”
Vento says another hot topic
that’s causing a lot of confusion
is the law’s 20 percent tax break.
“Regardless of how your busi-
ness is set up – sole proprietor-
ship, partnership, S corporation
or LLC – you will get the tax ben-
efit of being able to reduce your
business’ taxable income by 20
percent,” Vento said. “This will
result in a huge savings for small
business owners who all qualify
for this tax break.”
Business owners will want to
monitor their personal income,
Vento noted, because once in-
come reaches a certain level,
that tax break will get reduced.
“When the personal taxable
income of a single individual
reaches $207,500, that tax break
doesn’t apply, and for married
individuals, income has to reach
$415,000,” Vento said. “So in
order to qualify for that big tax
break, profits have to stay below
that amount.”
The new tax law now provides
for a flat 21 percent tax rate for
corporations.
“That caused a lot of business-
es to increase their profitability
by 21 percent,” Vento said.
Which makes many industry
FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 9
experts optimistic about the fu- diately on both necessity and a the new deduction changes, they
ture of the economy.
“This tax bill is 100 percent
bit of well-earned luxury like a
dinner out or small vacation. Po-
will learn to adapt.
“People will have to adapt how
what it promised to be,” Vento tentially, this will put the money they spend in their business,”
concluded. “Small business in right into the economy and help Katz concluded. “The entertain-
particular will benefit from the economy grow, which would ment deduction might be gone,
these changes, and there should in turn create jobs, which would but businesses will now find
be a resulting increase in jobs. in turn create a larger base of other means to spend those dol-
I think this tax law does a phe- tax payers, which clearly leads to lars – like advertising or edu-
nomenal job of motivating the higher tax revenues for the gov- cational seminars. It will be a
economy.” ernment.” challenge, but they will learn to
Allan Katz, president of Com- Katz says while businesses watch their spending and adjust
prehensive Wealth Management will be challenged by some of accordingly.”
Group in Tottenville, agrees.
“In regard to how this tax bill
will affect the economy, many
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 10 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018
NYC comptroller hosts Staten
Island Workforce Forum
By JESSICA JONES-GORMAN
Business Trends
After releasing a report last
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year providing a neighborhood-
by-neighborhood analysis of
New York’s economy, document-
ing the changing business land-
scape of communities across
the five boroughs, the office of
New York City Comptroller Scott
Stringer hosted a presentation
at Brighton Heights Reformed
Church on Jan. 16 to discuss its
findings.
“Our goal is to deliver a five-
borough economy, with robust
economic growth, where every-
one has a fair shot to thrive,”
Stringer noted. “If we’re going
to move into the future as a city,
we need to make New York more
affordable for everyday people
now. That means aligning work-
force development with the
needs of emerging businesses
and connecting local residents
with new, local jobs. That’s true
in Staten Island – and across the
five boroughs.”
The report, entitled “The New
Geography of Jobs: A Blueprint
for Strengthening NYC Neigh-
borhoods,” placed special em-
phasis on working class and
gentrifying neighborhoods, pro-
viding a blueprint to ensure that
employment and entrepreneur-
ship opportunities help spur
local wealth creation and coun-
teract forces of displacement in
the city.
“The economy is changing,”
Stringer continued. “The num-
ber of New York City businesses
outside of Manhattan grew by
28 percent over the last decade,
and the number of private sec-
tor jobs grew by 27 percent. But
we also have to make sure that
everyone on Staten Island gets a
fair shot, because many of those
new jobs are low-paying ones. In
Staten Island, there’s been a 25
percent increase in people mak-
ing less than $25,000 from 2000
to 2015, while those making be-
tween $50,000 and $75,000 has de-
Visit us online at www.sibiztrends.com
creased by 14 percent.”
Community Board members,
workforce development rep-
resentatives and Island busi-
ness leaders participated in
the discussion, which touched
on targeted economic develop-
ment strategies that will benefit
neighborhood residents. The fol-
lowing findings of the borough’s
economic profile report were
also highlighted:
• The unemployment rate
was down to 5.2 percent in 2015
from 5.8 percent in 2000, and the
number of businesses in Staten
Island grew by 22 percent from
2000 to 2015, to more than 9,000.
• From 2000 to 2015, Staten Is-
land experienced tremendous
economic growth, with the num-
ber of businesses increasing 22
percent – far outpacing the 16
percent growth in the remainder
of the city.
• Fifty-two percent of Staten
Islanders work inside Staten
Island. Only 23 percent work
inside Manhattan, by far the
lowest share among the outer-
boroughs.
• The number of Staten Is-
landers working from home in-
creased by 68 percent from 2000
to 2015.
• The number of Staten Is-
landers with a bachelor’s degree
jumped by 51 percent from 2000
to 2015.
“As our city’s economy contin-
ues to grow and neighborhoods
change, we must ensure that
long-time, local residents are the
primary beneficiaries,” Stringer
concluded.
“Together, we can move closer
to that important goal. We need
to lift up wages, mitigate our af-
fordability crisis and prepare
New Yorkers for the jobs of
tomorrow, now. That requires
working together – and that’s
what this roundtable was all
about.”
 FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 11

Ed Birdie Eugene Garaventa, Ph.D. Raymond Masucci Josephine Savastano

NY Power Authority Raymond Homes Inc. Wells Fargo Bank
Elysa Goldman
Ralph Branca, SIEDC Chairman Triangle Equities Daniel Messina, Ph.D. John Tardy
Victory State Bank Richmond University Medical Center JVN Restoration
Brian Gomez
Investors Bank Kenneth Mitchell Lou Tobacco
Pamela Coppola Columbia
Statewide Fire Corp. Staten Island Zoo Staten Island University Hospital
Charlie Greinsky
Richard Corash James P. Molinaro Joseph Torres
Richard Guarasci, Ph.D. Merrill Lynch
Corash and Hollender, P.C.
Wagner College Paula Monteiro
Tom Corbett IDB Bank Mark Tranchina
Philip Guarnieri The Vanderbilt at
Corbett Enterprises
Empire State Bank Robert P. Moore South Beach
Carol Decina
Andrew Hughes TJ Moore --------------------
National Grid
TD Bank Bedford Carp Construction
John DiFazio R. Randy Lee
Steve Klein Frank N. Naso Chairman Emeritus
Faztec Industries
The Naso Organization
John DiLeo Jr. Michael Manzulli
Gina Laine Michele O’Connell Chairman Emeritus
Hylan Datacom & Electrical LLC
Richmond County Savings Bank/ Con Edison
NYCB
Joseph Ferrara
BFC Partners/ Empire Outlets James O’Keefe, Ph.D.
Hank Levin St. John’s University
Pratt Industries
Anthony Ferreri
Joan Risko
Crystal Lia Santander Bank
Stanley M. Friedman
Capital One Bank
Anthony Santo
William Fritz, Ph.D.
Henry F Malarkey & Co PC
College of Staten Island

SIEDC
12 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018

DOREEN
Talks
Real Estate
Presented by
Doreen S. Frazer, Realtor/Owner

CONDO APPEAL
Today we are seeing an abundance
of new condos being built all over
Staten Island. They come in many
styles and sizes. Whether it is in a high
rise building, a townhouse or a detached
residence, the appeal is growing more

Your Ad
and more.

ATTENTION
While we are seeing rapidly rising
prices here, Staten Island remains the
place to get more for your money as

Could Be
compared to the other boroughs. Buying

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

a condo in many cases further reduces
what you will be paying, say for a
detached home. For example, the cost

Here.
of a 1,500 square foot detached home

AND BROKERS
may be considerably higher than the
same square footage in a condo. So, if
space is what you are looking for, a
condo may be for you.
Another popular reason for buying a
today busy world is the
condo in today’s
elimination of hours working to
You can be featured maintain your home, doing yard work,
snow removal etc. Time is precious and
this concept is shared by singles, couples,

in the next issue! families and empty nesters. Also,

purchasing a condo gives you the
opportunity to build equity and the ability

Hurry,
to take advantage of tax deductions for
Combine your real estate market mortgage interest and property taxes.
If you’re thinking of buying a home
knowledge with your product
Space Is
or listing one, please call Frandore Realty
at 718.667.9400 or 917.385.8692
_____________________________
and appear in this column, Frandore Realty
or showcase your listings or
Limited. business card in this section.

Your g
in
RE Liste!
Her HUGUENOT HIGH $600s
LUXURY CUSTOM CONDOS - MUST SEE!
(4) Units available: Unit A (2); Front Entrances

Don’t
3,400 s.f., 3bedrms/3baths, Custom Kitchen, Fireplace,
terrace off Mbdrm,Huge finished-high ceiling basement,
custom moulding, hardwd flrs thruout, central AC
Unit B (2); Side Entrances, 2.700 s.f., 3 bedrms/3baths
Private elevator to main flr.,Custom Kitchen, Fireplace

Miss Out!
Terrace off Mbdrm, Huge Loft (possible 4th bdrm.),
spiral stairs to add’l smaller loft,
hardwd flrs. thruout central AC
ELECTRONIC GATES TO REAR PARKING AREA
For more information
to advertise, call Bonnie
Contact: DOREEN S. FRAZER
646.481.4026 or email Licensed Real Estate Broker
CELL: 917.385.8692
Bonnie@SiBiztrends.com doreen.frazer@gmail.com
 FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 13

Giving comes full circle

photographs to give to the moth- for the seniors at Canterbury
GIVING
Continued from page 2
ers – which has proven to be a
highlight of the parties because
House, participated in Operation
Fairydust, collecting gently-used
many times these photographs prom attire for high school stu-
are the only pictures the moth- dents in need, and distributed
than 100 Staten Island children ers have of their children.” hundreds of filled backpacks
who didn’t have cause for any The organization also com- please see GIVE, page 15
such celebration. pleted a “Lending Library”
The Adopt-a-Pantry initiative
was developed next, encourag-
ing businesses, organizations
and independent donors to com-
mit monetary contributions to
one of the 40 food pantries here
on Staten Island.
But Kormanik didn’t stop
there. She planned an annual ice
cream social at the Carousel for
all Children, collected swimsuits
and towels for needy children
to use at public pools and orga-
nized limited raffles for the Viet-
nam Veterans of America.
“They were all just very sim-
ple ideas that we developed at
our meetings,” Kormanik said.
“Just as the name of our group
suggests, we created a nice little
circle of giving in which we
were able to consistently help
our neighbors in need.”
There are no membership fees
and each program is completely
voluntary. The group keeps noth-
ing – each and every donation is
given directly to local recipients

Let’s prepare for the future of

or used to fund Giving Circle
projects. In the past 10 years, the
501 C(3) organization has donat-

your business, together.

ed close to $100,000 to a variety
of causes and charities – focus-
ing a good portion of its support
on Staten Island food pantries.
“We are a population of
460,000 and there are many, Whether you are just starting out, or getting ready to pass your business down to your children,
many people living on the fringe our financial professionals will provide expertise and guidance to help you plan for your business’s
of hunger and homelessness,” financial future. We’re committed to helping you get to where you want to go with your business.
Kormanik said.
And while collections/dona- Learn more about how we can help you carry out your long term vision.
tions for charities are the nucle-
us of the Staten Island Giving
Circle’s mission, Kormanik says Michelle Cutler, Agency Marketing Director
Lee, Nolan & Koroghlian
the group’s satellite projects are
2 Teleport Drive, Suite 300, Staten Island, NY 10311
equally as important.
718-568-2541 • mcutler@financialguide.com
“We still continue to host
www.leenolan.com
those bi-monthly birthday par-
ties for homeless children with
Project Hospitality,” Kormanik
said. “We have a generous donor
who funds this initiative and we
take a large sheet cake, bever- Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001, and its affiliated US insurance companies. MassMutual Financial
ages, snacks, games and bags Group is a marketing name for MassMutual and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. Insurance products issued by MassMutual, Springfield, MA
of gifts for the birthday boys 01111, and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Co. and MML Bay State Life Insurance Co., Enfield, CT 06082. CRN201910-220680
and girls. Our leaders also take
 14 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018

Weekly Meetings
#EATSOMECAKE
EVENTS
• Custom Cakes & Cupcakes for All Occasions Continued from page 4
• Baskets • Favors • and more…
Comfort Inn. 7:00 to 8:15 a.m. For
info, email jcmexp@aol.com
WE DELIVER AND SHIP NATIONWIDE!
Planning a Special Event, Contact info@marksbakeshoppe.com. Staten Island Business Council:
Andrew’s Diner, 4160 Hylan Blvd. 7
a.m. Members and invited guests
only. For info, call 347-855-4488 or
send an e-mail to info@sibizcoun-
cil.com.
Bucks Business Network: Hamp-
ton Inn, 1120 South Ave. 7:45 a.m.
For info, call 718-351-2557 or visit
Baked fresh daily, our Staten Island bakery is home to a variety www.sibucks.com.
of Cakes, Pastry, Breads, Donuts and more! Our coffee is the perfect Kiwanis Club of Brighton: Jody’s
compliment to our delicious treats, organic and local, we grind and Club Forest, 372 Forest Ave. 7:30
p.m. For info, call 718-348-0505.
brew Unique Coffee Roasters Coffee.
Kiwanis Club of North Central:
We like to think our Bake Shoppe is top notch, but don’t LiGreci’s Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
take our word for it! Try for yourself! 7:30 p.m. Call Len Bosso at 718-
442-7804.
E.L.I.T.E. (Executive, Leader-
3479 Richmond Road, Richmond Town • 718-668-2600 ship, Interactive, Team, Effort)
www.MarksBakeShoppe.com Networking Group: 1110 South Ave.
8 a.m. New members welcome. For
info, call 347-273-1375.
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev.
Ctr. Business Counseling: CSI,
2800 Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For info, call 718-982-2560.
Thursday
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/
WBCLDC Small Bus. Counseling
– MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC,
705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appoint-
ment only. Call 718-816-4775.
Kiwanis Club of Staten Island:
LiGreci’s Staten, 697 Forest Ave.
7:30 p.m. For info, call 718-967-
4345 or kiwanisclubofstatenisland.
com.
Rotary Club of South Shore: Man-
sion Grand, 141 Mansion Ave. 12:15
p.m. For info, call 718-987-2061 or
visit southshorerotary.org.
Rotary Club Mid-Island: New Dako-
ta Diner, 921 Richmond Ave. 7:30 to
9:00 a.m. Call 718-981-0700.
SCORE Business Counseling:
please see EVENTS, page 16

Giving comes full circle
GIVING
Continued from page 13
to children returning to school.
Each winter, members collect at
least 500 gently-used coats that
are donated to Project Hospital-
ity.
“We have a team that goes
down by the ferry and distrib-
utes backpacks filled with warm
hats, gloves and hygiene prod-
ucts – towels, washcloths, Purell
and Kleenex,” Kormanik said.
“And there’s the sandwich proj-
ect in which we help pack lunch-
es for the poor.”
They raise scholarship mon-
ies for underprivileged students
and collect some sort of dona-
tion – cans of food, work gloves
and other essentials at each and
every meeting.
“I call my husband, Mike, the
CEO because he has to Carry Ev-
erything Out,” Kormanik joked.
FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 15
“The generosity of this borough
is so evident in the voluminous
amount of donations that we
receive at each and every meet-
ing.”
Throughout the years, they’ve
sent slippers to Sri Lanka,
denim to Detroit, baby supplies
to Haiti and clothing and shoes
to underserved communities in
Delaware County, N.Y., and Mis-
sissippi. The Giving Circle has
also provided handheld calcula-
tors and book bags to schools
in New Jersey where they were
desperately needed.
“We make a concerted effort
to keep our circle projects local,
but some of these other needs
are just too desperate to ignore,”
Kormanik said.
One of the biggest challenges
for the organization was helping
the community cope with the af-
termath of Hurricane Sandy.
“It was very intense because
we were faced with the concept
of helping so many people in
need,” Kormanik said. “But we
were able to collect more than
$30,000 in gift cards and probably
a half million dollars’ worth of
clothing and supplies.”
The non-profit, which has
become recognized in the com-
munity for all of its charitable
work, celebrated its 10-year an-
niversary on Jan. 17 with a pre-
sentation of a $10,000 grant from
Cesar Claro with the Richmond
County Savings Foundation.
Kormanik addressed more than
80 members with this quote:
“There is no Royal Road to
anything. One thing at a time,
all things in succession. That
which grows fast withers as rap-
idly. That which grows slowly
endures.”
The Giving Circle’s executive
committee consists of Charlotte
Sciarrino, Carol Crocitto, Pat
Schwimer and Laura Parente-
Norten. They meet on the third
Wednesday of every month at 7
p.m. in the Old Bermuda Inn.
16 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018
SCORE is the most recognized
and utilized provider of
FREE Confidential Mentoring
and Educational services to
America’s small businesses.
Let SCORE help YOU!
BUILD – GROW – THRIVE
Visit us online at www.sibiztrends.com
CALLING
ALL WOMEN!
Business Owners, Leaders, Professionals and Staff Members
Find out how you can showcase
these exceptional women in the
March issue.
Contact Bonnie at 646.481.4026 or email
Bonnie@SIBiztrends.com for more information.
Deadline is Thursday, February 22nd.
Call: 718-727-1221
Email: info@scoresi.org
Web: www.statenisland.SCORE.org
Staten Island SCORE New Headquarters
Staten Island Advance Building
950 West Fingerboard Road
Walk-Ins Welcome
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 am to Noon
Other Times “By Appointment Only”
Weekly Meetings
EVENTS
Continued from page 14
Staten Island Advance Building,
950 W. Fingerboard Road. 9 a.m. to
noon. No charge. Call 718-727-1221.
Rotary Club of North Shore:
LiGreci’s Staten, 697 Forest Ave. 7
p.m. Call Christine DeHart at 718-
448-4725.
Business Network Int’l. (BNI)
High Achievers Chapter: PK’s
Restaurant,1281 Arthur Kill Rd. 7 to
8:30 a.m. Call Timothy Houston at
718-981-8600.
Business Guild II of the S.I.
Chamber of Commerce: Hilton
Garden Inn, 1100 South Ave. 7:45
to 8:45 a.m. Members and invited
guests only. For info, call Lou Rizzo
at 718-490-0057.
Business Guild III of the
SI Chamber of Commerce:
Annandale Terrace. 7:45 a.m.
New members welcome. Call Shy
Shalem .
College of S.I., Small Bus. Dev.
Ctr. Business Counseling: CSI,
2800 Victory Blvd. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For info, call 718-982-2560.
Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT): 7 p.m.
Call John Tidona at 448-7160 or
portrichcert@yahoo.com.
friday
Bus. Outreach Ctr of SI/
WBCLDC Small Bus. Counseling
– MWBE/BOC Capital: WBCLDC,
705 Forest Ave., 2nd Fl. By appoint-
ment only. Call 718-816-4775.
Saturday
SCORE Business Counseling: St.
George Library, 5 Central Ave. 10
a.m. to noon. Appointment neces-
sary. Call 718-442-8560.
SCORE Business Counseling:
Richmondtown Library, 200 Clarke
Ave. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call 718-668-
0413.
FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 17
18 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018
Businesses need to adjust to new Paid Family Leave
ee payroll contributions, PFL
LEAVE
Continued from page 1
also ensures continuation of
health insurance while out and
job protection.
And while there are some
nation’s leading employee ben- blurred lines between new and
efits providers. “Employers need older leave acts, according to
to understand the advantages McCann, the most distinct dif-
and challenges of paid family ference between this benefit and
leave so they can make strategic FMLA is family members cov-
decisions about what’s best for ered under PFL are more broad-
their workforce.” ly defined.
The newly passed program al- “Under FMLA, employees are
lows almost all private employ- allowed paid leave to care for a
ees eight weeks of paid leave to parent, spouse or child under the
care for loved ones with a seri- age of 18,” McCann said. “If the
ous health condition, to bond child is over 18, there needs to
with a new child or to help sup- be documented proof of a seri-
port their family when someone ous health condition or inability
is recently made active in mili- to care for themselves. PFL, on
tary service. Funded by employ- the other hand, covers the same
Hometown news. When it happens.
Or Shortly Thereafter.
Follow us at twitter.com/sibiztrends
APB Security SyStemS, inc. • 1 telePort Drive #203, StAten iSlAnD, ny 10311
relatives covered by FMLA while
also covering domestic partners,
children of any age, parent-in-
laws, grandparents and grand-
children.”
Also worth noting is the avail-
ability of PFL to employees
who’ve had children in 2017.
“As you may know, employees
could not file for PFL until Jan.
1,” McCann said. “But if they
had a child in 2017 and used all
of their FMLA to bond, they
can now file for PFL because it
is brand new and didn’t exist
as an entitlement during their
time off. Those employees can
now take another leave as long
as they finish that leave before
their child turns 1. The leave is
also allowed to be intermittent
– they can take one day at a time
until the eight weeks have ex-
pired.”
The benefits of PFL will also
become more generous with
time: Wage replacement is cur-
rently at 50 percent for the eight
weeks but will increase to 67 per-
cent for 12 weeks by 2021. And
experts say in other states this
law has been a boon for produc-
tivity.
“The good news is that a 2014
report from the President’s
Council of Economic Advisers
indicated that 90 percent of em-
ployers affected by California’s
paid family leave initiative re-
ported either positive or no no-
ticeable effect on profitability,
turnover and morale,” McCann
added. “The key to a success-
ful introduction is developing
a strategy for managing leave
benefits – stay current with leg-
islation, evaluate your organiza-
tion’s administrative burden and
assess the impact of leave ben-
efits on your company.”
Katherine Fitzgerald, a work-
force development analyst with
the Staten Island Chamber of
Commerce, penned a newsletter
last month on what employers
need to know about PFL.
“Private employers with one
or more employees are required
to obtain Paid Family Leave in-
surance,” she noted. “Contact
your broker or insurer for infor-
mation about available policies
and options for paying your pre-
mium.”
It is also the employer’s re-
sponsibility to inform employ-
ees about Paid Family Leave,
Fitzgerald wrote.
“Update appropriate mate-
rials, such as employee hand-
books, to include Paid Family
Leave information and post an
employee notice provided from
your insurance carrier.”
And prepare for employee
payroll contributions.
“Update your payroll process-
es to collect the employee contri-
butions that pay for this insur-
ance,” Fitzgerald concluded. “It
is strongly recommended you
notify employees before with-
holding any contributions.”
For more information about
New York State Paid Fam-
ily Leave, visit www.ny.gov/paid-
familyleave.
FEBRUARY 2018 – BUSINESS TRENDS 19
20 BUSINESS TRENDS – FEBRUARY 2018