Simply New York

Patrick Bodell, Founder

4364 Culver Road, in Sea Breeze

www.simplynystore.com

585-413-0895

 

           At first glance, it is a store with what seems like a very odd product offering - shoes, wooden toys, candles, knives, greeting cards, luggage, wine flavored ice cream, furniture, and literally dozens of other items.  But every product does have one thing in common - it’s made in New York!  Welcome to Simply New York Marketplace and Gifts, a store recently opened by Patrick Bodell that sells products exclusively manufactured in New York State.  So how did Patrick start the store? 

            Patrick had a background in commercial sales and found that he was ready to move on from his job as a teacher in Rochester’s public schools.  The idea to sell products made in the U.S., and ultimately in New York, had been in his head since the mid-1980s. 

            Patrick attended a SCORE workshop on starting a business and started to build his business plan.  He met with Dave Kidd and Larry Wirth, two SCORE counselors, on a monthly basis at the offices of the Rochester Business Alliance.  Patrick was looking for a pair of outside eyes to bounce ideas off of and “the SCORE counselors provided a great sounding board to do just that. They helped me focus the business, consider new ideas, and really helped me stay on track with the many things that needed to be done.”

            Location was one of the key problems that Patrick was faced with.  He wanted a cute village feel in a strong neighborhood.  The obvious choices were also obvious to everyone else, and thus demanded a higher rent and a longer commitment.  An alternative was to look at a flexible, lower priced location.  Patrick finally decided on a refurbished building in Sea Breeze.  It has the village charm, the cuteness factor that a strip mall can’t provide, a strong sense of neighborhood, and plenty of room to grow if necessary.   He is in a revitalizing neighborhood, and has been warmly received by neighbors anxious to have the building brought back to life.

            Perhaps you have seen Simply New York’s flier in the Democrat & Chronicle or seen his ad on the place mats of the neighborhood diner.  His startup business is ramping up, and the in-store feedback is very positive.

            Patrick appreciated the SCORE workshop and the sounding board provided by the counselors.  He has used SCORE’s financial templates and so many of the tips picked up at the workshop and from the SCORE website.  According to Patrick, “a visit to SCORE should be the first step for every new business startup.” 

            Future plans include expansion and enhanced web sales.  Although just recently started, the business seems to be off on the right path.  SCORE wishes Patrick the best with his new venture!

 

            See archives of past Spotlights.

            If you have an existing business or are starting a new one, consider how your company may benefit from SCORE’s counseling. Call for a free counseling appointment at one of our many locations. While you are there, ask your SCORE counselor how you might tap into our 60-plus membership knowledge bank to further address your particular business and industry concerns.