EforAll Announces 2022 Accelerator Program Cohort

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Berkshire County today announced the 14 business ideas chosen to participate in the Fall 2022 Business Accelerator program which begins the week of Sept. 27.

The program will be held in a hybrid format–virtually and select classes at the Berkshire Innovation Center in Pittsfield. This cohort brings in a wide array of business ideas and come from all over the region:

• Auto Appraisals Plus of the Berkshires, Jack W. Kearin and Jessica A. Mahoney, Otis, MA
• Wednesday’s Dolls, Barbie Rodriguez, East Greenbush, NY
• Berkshire Candle, Jenna Gable, Lanesborough, MA
• Berkshire Pup People, Michelle Marrocco and Tiffany Boyden, North Adams, MA
• Bumblebee Pet Care, Dana Grieb, Pittsfield, MA
• Herbellion, Molly Racette, North Adams, MA
• New Pathways Coaching and Consulting, Julie Haagenson, Pittsfield, MA
• Latinas413, Tannya G. Romero, Catheryn Chacon Ortega, and Liliana Atanacio, Stockbridge, MA
• Farm to Ladle, Lynn Romanick, Pittsfield, MA
• Mahogany Forum LLC, Alexa Icenia, Berkshire County, MA
• Mendel’s Stained Glass Art Studio, Lisa Mendel, Adams, MA
• Mind Over Motion, Tiffany Wilding-White, Lee, MA
• The Break Room, Stephany Feliciano and Erika Wells, Pittsfield, MA
• The Recovery Room, Christina Meucci, Pittsfield, MA

This will be the sixth cohort for EforAll’s Berkshire County site. Finalists were chosen through a competitive review process. The public will be invited in January to the Gala and Showcase at the conclusion of the 12-week intensive program.

Berkshire United Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign, Honors Fundraising Coordinator

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:37AM / Wednesday, September 18, 2024

President and CEO Thomas Bernard spoke to school and career readiness as critical to laying the foundations for later success. Berkshire United Way partners with local educational programs.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire United Way has recognized Susie Brown for decades of leadership in fundraising efforts at Lee Bank.

Last week, she was presented with the Employee Campaign Coordinator Award for her work as the co-chair for employee giving campaigns at the bank since the 1980s. Brown, the senior vice president of administration, has inspired 100 percent (or close to) participation for many years.

"I love the United Way and have always loved the United Way but I don't do it alone," she said.

"The employees of Lee Bank have helped me for 35-plus years do these campaigns and made them successful."

Brown urged campaign coordinators to look at local agencies being funded and how employees' support will impact them. More than 4,000 employee donors from 140 local companies help raise around 65 percent of BUW's annual campaign from contributions, matching gifts, in-kind products and services, and more.

"The successful part of what we do at Lee Bank is you bring that back to the employees," she said.

"Yes, it's fun to do fun things to raise the money but when you make your employees aware of what's happening in your communities and what these agencies are doing for your communities — They don't know. They don't recognize all these little communities, all these little agencies, and all the people they help."

The Country Club of Pittsfield was packed with supporters for the campaign kickoff Friday morning.

Last year, BUW set out to raise $2.1 million and raised just over $2.2 million. A $2,300,000 goal has been set for this year's campaign with three strategic priorities: household stability, school and career readiness, and mental health.