Two New Small Business Specialists Join Chamber Team

The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Michael Baugh and Stephen Colavito have joined its team as Small Business Specialists.  Their role will be to help small businesses recover from pandemic-related setbacks, and to strengthen the local economy.  Be on the lookout for the duo, who will be traveling throughout the borough to meet business owners, providing guidance on how they can access a range of programs and services to help them during these unprecedented times.

“As small businesses continue to struggle, it’s important they know where to turn for help.  Our Specialists will be on the ground every day, doing extensive outreach to businesses in every corner of the borough.  They’ll meet with owners on site to tackle concerns and do their best to find them solutions.  We at the Chamber want to give local businesses their best shot at succeeding,” said Chamber President and CEO Linda Baran. 

This guidance will be provided at no charge to business owners.

Colavito comes to the Chamber with deep experience in staffing, training, and recruitment.  Most recently he served as a Business Relationship Manager for Grant Associates, Inc.  In that role, he developed relationships with over 90 new businesses to place over 1,500 students enrolled in New York City’s Career and Technical Education programs in valuable internships.

“It all comes down to listening to the needs of your clients and talking about the realities of what’s possible,” he said. “By speaking frankly with people, it’s possible to develop trust and become a trusted advisor.”

Additionally, since his wife owns a hair salon, Colavito firmly understands the struggles small businesses have in receiving and deciphering important information with changing policies and rules.

“I’ll be looking at how I can help bring clarity for these small businesses,” he said. “And I’ll look at how we can help develop a strategy for them to move forward and not only survive, but thrive.”

Colavito holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.

Baugh, who was raised locally in Stapleton on Staten Island’s North Shore, has been active in the community there, serving as a Leadership Developer with YouthBuild and the Facilitator & Outreach Coordinator for the FatherHood initiative.  As an entrepreneur and certified life coach, Baugh wants to use the power of positivity to help small business owners during this mentally tough stretch. 

“I’m always ready to educate and help,” he said.  “It’s a process of creating relationships and talking to people to really identify their issues.  I like to get people to focus on opportunities, and to consider innovation and different ways of thinking.  I’ve learned that sometimes by bringing ambition and excitement, you can remind people about their past successes, and they start to see a glimmer of hope.” 

Baugh holds bachelor’s degrees in Accounting, Marketing & Public Relations, and Entrepreneurship, all from Ashford University.  He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s degree in Legal Studies from Washington University School of Law.  

The two Small Business Specialists will start meeting with business owners immediately, bringing their different perspectives to provide assistance and lend a helping hand.

Baugh and Colavito have been hired through the newly launched NYC Small Business Resource Network, a public-private partnership that has created a team of 22 Small Business Specialists housed within chambers of commerce in each of the five boroughs.  The Network will focus on serving minority-, women- and immigrant-owned businesses, given the challenges these businesses face in accessing resources and support.  These specialists will help small businesses navigate a range of different challenges, including technology, real estate, legal and accounting services, procurement opportunities, marketing, and sources of loans and grants.  Click here to learn more about the program. 

Business owners can reach the Staten Island Specialists at MBaugh@sichamber.com or SColavito@sichamber.com.  For more information on the NYC Small Business Resource Network, visit www.nycsmallbusinessresourcenetwork.org