Bensonhurst
Standing O salutes Dime Community Bank and Greenwood Heights resident Ryan Powers for leading an informative discussion about starting a business in Kings County at the bank’s Bensonhurst branch on Jan. 17.
Powers — who owns Shipwrecked, an indoor miniature golf and escape room space in Red Hook — discussed with Dime marketing officer Andrew Grippo how he started his business with partner Chris Schneider back in 2016 and some of the challenges and triumphs the duo encountered along the way. Powers used his story to help aspiring business owners understand the hurdles involved with creating their own company — including some of the trials unique to Big Apple business owners, he said.
“It was a long process — we didn’t fit the mold, so it took a little longer than most businesses to start up,” Power said of the pair’s early days. “It was a very trying experience. Opening a business in New York City is certainly not for the weak at heart.”
The guest of honor advised attendees — who were mostly small business owners — of the importance of finding the right location for their brick-and-mortar businesses to help ensure their companies thrive.
“It’s very important to find the right space and find the landlord that you’re comfortable with,” Powers said.
The event was part of a series of discussions and networking events that the bank is hosting for local business owners. — Julianne McShane
Greenpoint
Going green
Kudos to Greenpoint Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, who handed local film- and television-production company Broadway Stages a hefty check last month to fund new green roofs on its sound stages in the community.
The sustainable roofs, which capture stormwater and reduce air pollution, will help enforce green infrastructure practices in fighting climate change, according to the local pol, who said the roofs help cut back on the equivalent of toxins produced by tens of thousands of cars per year.
“I am very excited that this grant funded such a great project right here in Greenpoint. It will add green space, improve the environment, and provide a natural habitat for countless beneficial insects and birds,” said Lentol. “The green roofs have the potential to remove the emissions equivalent of over 40,000 cars per year.”
Lentol awarded Broadway Stages President and CEO Gina Argento $1.5 million as part of a New York State grant for the green roofs — and the production company is partnering with Alive Structures to create the structures, which will span 1.4 acres on three of its sound stages.
The new green infrastructure will reinforce the company’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment, according to Argento.
“Our commitment to community and environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of our business philosophy,” she said. “We are excited to embark on this green roof garden project and continuing to do our part to contribute to the health of our environment.”— Julianne Cuba
Borough wide
In the navy
Equipment 2nd Class Antonella Joseph was selected as Hampton Roads Junior Sailor of the Year for 2018.
As the Unaccompanied Housing Building Manager and Supply Technician, the Brooklynite is responsible for ordering supplies for the day-to-day operations of sailors and Marines.
“Receiving this award means that my chain of command believes in me and that I am a mentor to all my junior Sailor,” said Joseph.
Joseph has been in the Navy for nine years and is a 2006 graduate of South East POS Government Secondary School in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
