The Professor's Corner - Business Insight - Tip #6 - Start Small

By Dr. Son Tran

What it Means

Starting small means you don’t need to have the biggest idea, the most money, or a perfect plan before taking action. Instead, test your idea with simple, low-cost experiments. This approach reduces risk, teaches you quickly, and builds confidence step by step.

Stories from the Business World

Amazon began as an online bookstore in Jeff Bezos’ garage before it became the “everything store.” Howard Schultz tested the Starbucks concept in a few cafés in Seattle before scaling globally. Airbnb’s founders started by renting out three air mattresses in their apartment during a conference — today it’s a multi-billion-dollar company. Each of these success stories shows that big companies often begin with small, manageable steps.

Ways You Can Use It

• If you have a product idea, start by making a basic prototype with simple materials.

• Test services with a few customers before opening to the public.

• Start selling to friends or through social media before investing in a full business.

• Use free or inexpensive tools (like Canva, Etsy, or Facebook Marketplace) before building custom platforms.

Fun Examples

Think of starting small like learning to swim — you first splash around in the shallow end before diving into the deep water. Or like planting a seed in a pot before moving the tree into a big garden. These “trial spaces” give you safety and growth at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Every large company you admire was once a “small start.” Don’t let the size of your vision overwhelm you — begin with one step, one customer, one test. Success is not about starting big, but about starting smart.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Chinese Auction Oct. 4 in Schenevus

SCHENEVUS – The Town of Maryland Historical Society is having our annual fundraising event on Saturday October 4  in Schenevus. We have a new roof on our building at 99 Main Street and now the real work begins to raise money for the interior structure, plumbing and electrical. 

We are requesting a Tax Deductible donation (501-c(3)). Our proceeds will be used to catalog our large and growing collection and to support the construction of our building at 99 Main Street. Your donation is needed for a successful event. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Flint Knapping Presentation Oct. 19

CHARLESTON – The Charleston Historical Society will be hosting “Flint Knapping – the Art of Shaping Stone Tools and Weapons by Flaking” on Sunday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m.  The program will feature guest speaker Barry Keegan, Primitive Skills Specialist.

Barry Keegan has taught many Earth skills since 1991. Barry will demonstrate Flint Knapping and will bring some of his best finds of stone artifacts spanning 7,500 years and many replica stone points and knives that he learned to make over 35 years of practice, including the first point he found at age six that got him going on this path.

The program is free to the public. Refreshments will be provided.  

The Charleston Historical Society’s headquarters is the former First Baptist Church of Charleston, located on 390 Polin Road in the Town of Charleston.  

For further information, please call 518-829-7592.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Cobleskill Police Report Recent Arrests, Including Felony Charges

COBLESKILL – The Cobleskill Police Department has announced several recent arrests on charges ranging from traffic violations to felonies.

According to the police blotter, the arrests include the following:

William F. Coonradt was arrested on Sept. 18 and charged with third-degree burglary, a Class D felony, and fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony.

On Sept. 16, James Ross was arrested and charged with criminal mischief with intent to damage property, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, and criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. All three charges are Class A misdemeanors.

Four individuals were charged with petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor:

Deborah J. Smith, arrested on Sept. 22.

Justin M. Goblet, arrested on Sept. 18.

Joseph E. Labib, arrested on Sept. 5.

Several individuals were charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration:

Garret Hinkley, on Sept. 18.

Ashley Hurlburt, on Sept. 11.

Brittany A. Weig, on Sept. 7. Weig was also charged with operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Anne McHargue, on Sept. 16. McHargue was also charged with operating a motor vehicle as an unlicensed driver.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Coffee with a Cop Oct. 1

COBLESKILL - The Cobleskill Police Department will host Coffee with a Cop Oct. 1 at Stewart’s on Main Street from 8am to 11am. The annual event is an opportunity to get to know your local police officers.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Cruise-In at Little Deb's

WARNERVILLE - Vintage cars and ice cream combined to make a cool evening last week at Little Deb's on Route 7 in Warnerville. Little Deb's is also celebrating its third anniversary. Photo by David Avitabile.

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Disgruntled Former Employee Disrupts Schoharie County Board Meeting

Schoharie County Sheriff Ronald Stevens, left, tries to get disgruntled former employee Benjamin Gatchell to leave peacefully during the Sept. 19 Board of Supervisors meeting. Photo by Chris English

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meetings can sometimes get a little tense and feisty, but an event at the latest one rose to a higher level.

Disgruntled former county employee Benjamin Gatchell finally allowed himself to be escorted out of the meeting room at the Friday, Sept. 19 county BOS meeting after several minutes of refusing to leave despite pleas from BOS Chairman Bill Federice, County Attorney Mike West, Sheriff Ronald Stevens, and others.

The trouble started early in the meeting when Federice was just about to move on from the Privilege of the Floor segment. Gatchell raised his hand, approached the microphone and asked to speak and voice his grievances again. He said he was a former cleaner with the county.

"No," said Federice on the request to speak. "We've heard your story twice now. You're out of order."

When Gatchell persisted, Federice called a five-minute recess, at which point Stevens, West and others approached Gatchell and repeatedly urged him to leave peacefully. West added that he needed permission ahead of time to speak during Privilege of the Floor.

"No, I have a right to speak," Gatchell said. "That's crazy. That's wild. I have a 20-month lawsuit against the county."

Stevens gently laid a hand on Gatchell twice in a further effort to get him to leave, but each time the former employee brushed it off and said "Don't put your hands on me, Sheriff."

The scene went on for a little while longer before Gatchell was finally escorted out of the room by a Sheriff's Deputy without the need for an escalation in the physicality.

After the meeting resumed, Federice explained that the state Committee on Open Government does not mandate a Privilege of the Floor segment at all.

"I don't agree that it shouldn't be held, but it has to be an orderly process," he said.

In other actions from the Sept. 19 meeting, county Economic Development Coordinator John Crescimanno reported that construction on a $33.6 million project designed to give every county resident the ability to connect to the Internet is scheduled to start Oct. 6, with a pre-construction conference to be held just prior on Oct. 2. Crescimanno added that the county wants to hold some kind of kickoff event toward the end of October.

County Planning and Economic Development Services Director Shane Nickle updated the BOS on a Community Development Block Grant Micro Enterprise Grant the county is trying for. He said the state notified the county that a previously published notice of the grant application lacked some information and so had to be re-published.

Nickle said the county is applying for $240,000 to assist up to eight recipients. He said each must have five employees or less, less than $200,000 in liquid assets, be current on property taxes and meet other criteria.

"Quite a few businesses are interested in applying," Nickle said. He added that a previous Microenterprise grant received by the county in 2016 helped out 31 small businesses.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Clarification

Last week, part of two sentences were cut off in our lead story about senior transport. We apologize for the omission. Please find the remainder below:

Authorize the Schoharie County Director of Public Transportation to submit an application to become Article 19A certified and any other authorities or operating licenses necessary to run the system and authorize the chairman to sign.

At the start of the meeting, moments of silence were held to mark 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and honor the victims, and also for recently murdered Christian conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Forest Ranger Presentation at SUNY Cobleskill

COBLESKILL — Public Outreach: On Sept. 11, Forest Ranger France spoke to dozens of students at SUNY Cobleskill’s student chapter of the Wildlife Society. Ranger France talked about his career as a Ranger and what goes into becoming a Ranger. 

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Grand Oneonta Opry 2025 Country Music Benefit Concert for Helios Care

ONEONTA — Friday, October 10th; Doors open 5 pm/Show at 7 pm

Foothills PAC, 24 Market Street, Oneonta

$25 Advance       $35 Door

Tickets 607 432-6773

HeliosCare.org/events

Featuring Nashville star Elijah Wise, John Thompson and the Driftwoods joined by regional artists Bill Pentzien, Ken Wilber, The Horseshoe Lounge Playboys, Jessie Kay, Al Hotaling, Jr. and Doug Decker.  There will be a cash bar, fun food and silent auction.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Another Great Year for Harvest Festival

On Sunday afternoon at the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival, the excitable Hilltop Hags featuring a few Happy Hags, performed with shrieks and smiles all around! Photo credit: Aaron Pencar.

 

With fantastic weather, Harvest Festival patrons enjoyed a variety of food truck options and a beer garden too with Back Barn Brewing & Middleburgh Winery “reppin” it up. Photo credit: Aaron Pencar.

By Alexis Pencar

The Sharon Springs Harvest Festival was this past weekend on Saturday, September 20th & Sunday September 21st. The Village of Sharon Springs was full of visitors and locals alike!

This ever-important annual “bucolic” event is the long running celebration for the bounty of the area, with this year's event showcasing local many farms and talented artisans that help make Upstate NY so special! 

This event always “takes a Village” to pull it all off and this year was “highly successful” according to many returning vendors.

The weather the whole weekend was great, everything went smooth, and the Sharon Springs Chamber of Commerce and in turn Sharon Springs Harvest Festival Committee behind it all, had it under control throughout, making for an enjoyable festival for all: visitors, vendors, and residents! The live music groups throughout the weekend in the ‘Chalybeate Park Temple’ were a very popular attraction both days.

The Event Organizers would like to thank all the Sponsors for the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival with another BIG thanks to ALL the Sharon Springs Harvest Festival Committee Members who put so much into this! And the biggest special THANK YOU to ALL the vendors who participated this year! 

Interested in participating next year? Please visit sharonspringsharvestfestival.com to find out more! Remember to tag your own photos from the weekend on social media @sharonspringsharvestfest.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Lawyersville Church to Host Rummage and Bake Sale

COBLESKILL – The Lawyersville Reformed Church Women's Ministries (RCWM) will host a rummage and bake sale on Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4. The event will take place at the Lawyersville Reformed Church Hall, located at 109 Philip Schuyler Road.

Sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Organizers ask attendees to please bring their own bags.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Minor Electrical Repairs Needed in Summit

By Karen Cuccinello

SUMMIT — The regular October Summit town board meeting opened as usual precisely at 7pm and included a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk.

The highway superintendent was not in attendance but it was mentioned that he gave the Board an inventory of equipment, the roads to be oil and graveled were done and the 550 is in service.

There were no additional comments from the Board pertaining to supervisor or department reports.

The report from Dog Control Officer, Jillian Smith, listed seven issues; the main one being a loose dog that could not be caught on Bear Gulch Rd.

The Board of Appeals, Chairman John Foote, submitted a report listing the reasons they denied a request for a variance to build a house and garage on a one acre Mud Lake Rd. property. One of the reasons for the denial was that it is a non-conforming lot under five acres.

The Town Clerk, Allison Wilson, listed activities handled over the past 30 days: 26 dog license renewals, two building permits, three building permit extensions and two searches, eight hunting/fishing licenses, one genealogy search, one dog redemption fee and four handicapped parking permits.

Assessor Dave Jones reported all is going smoothly

Code Enforcement Officer, Jesse Wilcox, reported he is keeping up with the usual building inspections and training classes.

Historian, Karen Cuccinello, reported she received a 1936 list of Summit Registered Voters and old photos from Jefferson then posted some on the Summit History Facebook page, figured out where a photo of a house (2850 State Rte. 10) was and wrote about the owners then posted on FB page and mentioned doing a program about Old Summit Farms on September 19.

Georgia Shafer reported that the Revitalization Committee is making progress.

Bookkeeper Charley Spickerman and Supervisor Harold Vroman mentioned that they attended a workshop pertaining to the updated Schoharie County website.

The town hall had an inspection that found some electrical issues needing to be rectified. Some outlets need to be replaced and additional outlets need to be installed so that there will be no need for power strips. Work should be done by December at a cost of less than $1,000.

A date was set for a budget workshop on October 9 at the town hall 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

The board and Dave Jones went into executive session at 7:15pm.

Next board meeting October 16 at 7pm.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Planes, Pancakes at Airport Breakfast

COOPERSTOWN - The last "Fly In" Breakfast  of the season was held Saturday morning at the Cooperstown-Westville Airport on Route 166.

Numerous vintage planes were on display and a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausages was served. The next breakfast is May 2026. Photos by David Avitabile.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

BBQ for a Good Cause

 

Sharon Springs' Dan Cornwell and Jesus Merced during Sunday's BBQ at Ace Noble Hardware in Cobleskill for the Sharon Youth Commission fundraiser. The food and lemonade were great. Photo by Matthew Avitabile

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Schoharie County Arts to Host Mystery Author M.K. Graff

COBLESKILL – Schoharie County Arts will present an "Authors' Hour" with award-winning mystery author M.K. Graff on Sunday, October 26, at 2 p.m. The event will take place at The Community Library in Cobleskill.

Graff will conduct a reading and talk about her novel, Death in the Orchard. The book is a Trudy Genova mystery set in Schoharie, featuring family intrigue and a cold case.

Death in the Orchard is the winner of the first-place Mystery & Mayhem award from the Chanticleer International Book Awards.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

“Sharon Things - Local Happenings for Sharon Springs”

By Alexis Pencar

Hey Neighbors!

Happy Fall! This past week we celebrated the Fall Equinox on September 22nd, 2025 at 2:19 PM. The equinox is recognized at the precise instant (time) the Earth, in its orbit around the Sun, is positioned so its axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun, and the Sun's center passes directly over the Earth's equator. This alignment also means that the Sun rises due East and sets due West from all locations on Earth. Very cool! 

After a shift into a wet last week Wednesday through Friday, we’re back to more dry and crisp Fall weather, with an expected cool down Tuesday through Friday next week. Highs will be in the 60s with lows dipping back down into the low 40s. 

Make sure to continue to support your local farm stands and small businesses too! There are still plenty of local events coming up in October so look out for those here. Without the local support, these unique offerings simply cannot exist!

Your local Sharon Springs Food Pantry is an excellent local resource for all! Located in the United Methodist Church on Route 20, across from SSCS (511 US Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY 13459). They are always in need of donations of food or even unopened personal care items! The pantry hours are Thursday 9:00 -10:30 AM & 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information please contact (518) 284-2687 or (518) 852-1193.

The Village of Sharon Springs holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each Month at 6:00 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Thursday, October 16th. The Village Mayor is Denise Kelly and the new Village Clerk is Hope Bayes. The Office Hours for Village of Sharon Springs are Monday & Wednesday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. For more information please call (518) 284-2625.

The Town of Sharon holds their Regular Board Meetings on the 1st Wednesday of each Month at 6:30 PM located at 129 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. The next meeting is scheduled for: Wednesday, October 1st. The Town Supervisor is Sandra Manko and the Town Clerk is Melissa Olsen. The Office Hours for the Town of Sharon are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM or by appointment. For more information please call (518) 284-3010.

Sharon Springs Free Library News: Story Time is at 10:00 AM on Thursday mornings and includes a story, craft, and snack. The Library is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays from 3:00 - 8:00 PM, Mondays & Thursdays from 10:00 - 6:00 PM, Saturdays 10:00 -1:00 PM, and Sundays - Closed.  For more Library information please contact (518) 284-3126.

Worship Services

The Sharon Reformed Church (6858 State Route 10, Sharon Springs, NY 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 234-2387 for more details.

The Sharon Springs United Methodist Church (511 State Route 20, Sharon Springs, NY, 13459) offers weekly service at 10:30 am. Contact at (518) 284-2200 for more details.

Grace Episcopal Church (24 Montgomery Street, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly Holy Eucharist at 11:00 am. Contact at (315) 858-4016 for more details.

The St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church (24 Maple Avenue, Cherry Valley, NY 13320) offers weekly mass at 10:00 am. Reminder: confession is available 30 minutes before every mass. Contact at (607) 264-3779 for more details.

The Zion St. John’s Lutheran Church Seward (114 Mesick Ave, Cobleskill, NY 12043) offers weekly service on Sundays at 9:00 am. Contact at (518) 234-3222 for more details.

Cornerstone Baptist Church (7274 Route 10, Ames, NY 13317). Sunday Service is at 10:00 am. All are welcome. Contact (518) 673 3405 for more details.

Sharon Sr. Congregate Meal Site

Local residents are invited to enjoy good company and a noon-time meal year round (except holidays) at the Schoharie County OFA’s “Spa Ritz” Sr. Congregate Meal Site at the Firehouse at 137 Beechwood Rd. M-W-F. 8 oz of 1% milk is served with each meal. Orders for meals must be called into the OFA office at (518) 295-2001 before 2 p.m. for the following day. Effective January 1st the suggested donation for those 60 years old and older is $5.00 per meal. Under age 60? You’re welcome to participate for a fee of $7.50 per meal.

To share community news, upcoming events, business specials, adjusted hours, birthdays, anniversaries, or even an outstanding resident, please contact me directly at (772) 971-1410 or alexis.pencar@gmail.com. Have a great week! Thanks!

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD