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National Women’s Small Business Month – Company Spotlight: Rehabilitation Associates Inc.

Carol Landsman’s team of Physical Therapist at Rehabilitation Associates Inc.

To close out our celebration of National Women’s Small Business month, we would like to highlight Carol Landsman the Executive Director of Rehabilitation Associates Inc., which has been in operation for 41 years with multiple locations throughout  Fairfield County.  At the height of the pandemic, services were down by 70% for Landsman, and when her large national bank couldn’t offer the assistance needed, Carol got help for her small business from First County Bank.

FCB: What is your business specialty/focus?

CL:  We provide one-stop comprehensive outpatient services to a birth to geriatric population. All services are provided onsite so that patients do not have to search for interventions needed in a variety of settings. Our team is fully certified within their specialties and provides one-to-one individualized treatments for the entire appointed time. Services include Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, Clinical Social Work, Registered Dietitian Services, Wellness Services and many special programs. We participate with all insurances to ensure our quality care is accessible to all.

FCB: Why do you trust your business to First County Bank?

CL: We appreciate the attention and respect we receive at First County Bank. They are a true community treasure and cater to their customers.

FCB: Who is your go to Banker on our Business Banking team?

CL: I have had extremely helpful interactions with Ben Peter and Greg Pastor. Their assistance during this pandemic time has been so important to our company.

FCB: What were/are some of the hurdles your business experienced due to the pandemic?

CL: During the height of the pandemic our services were down by 70%. We had originally dealt with a large national bank who emphasized their large national customers. First County Bank caters to our community and helped us receive Small Business assistance every step of the way. Their commitment enabled us to stay afloat and keep our employees intact.

FCB: What is your Covid Comeback story or how did your business model adapt as a result of the pandemic?

CL: During the worst of the pandemic we adapted by having staggered in-person schedules, supplemented by remote services. We knew that when the worst times were over we would bounce back as we have for the past 41 years.  We opened our full in-person schedule as of July 1^st and as people began to feel more comfortable leaving their homes, our schedules filled. We continue to offer remote service where appropriate and as requested by our patients.

FCB: Tell us about a situation where First County Bank was able to help/assist the needs of your business.

CL: First County Bank literally saved us with their assistance in securing Small Business Loans so that we could pay our rent and our employees! They were the best!

FCB: What advice if any, you would offer up to women who are interested in starting their own business?

CL:  Plan to work long hours and grow slowly to develop and maintain the quality control needed along with the best and most qualified employees you can find. Quality and excellence in whatever you do is the only thing that will keep you going over the long term. There are no shortcuts.

FCB: Any hurdles that you had to overcome as a female business owner?

CL:  When we started 41 years ago it was difficult to rent space, open credit cards and receive loans or credit lines. Things have changed for the better, but there is still a way to go. Salary parity is still not where it needs to be. We all have to work together to continue to advocate for gender equality in business.

by ig

National Women’s Small Business Month – Company Spotlight: Creative Video Corporation

Francisca Bogdan – Founder of Wilton based – Creative Video Corporation

Francisca Bogdan is the founder and owner of Creative Video Corporation which specializes in production, postproduction and digital marketing. Based in Wilton, Francisca has been operating her business for 22 years, with First County Bank by her side. As a veteran business owner, Francisca offers great advice to those interested in starting their own business, including why she considers First County Bank a partner and an extension of her corporation.

FCB: What is your business specialty/focus?

FB: At Creative Video Corporation we help businesses promote their value proposition.

FCB: Why do you trust your business to First County Bank?

FB: 1997 no bank took me seriously. I was discouraged and upset, because I realized that banks and investment money was only provided to people that were already established, and with means.  I was young and thought the system catered to just one type of person. Then I walked into First County Bank. I still remember how I felt. I felt welcomed, they took the time to listen, they cared, I didn’t hear a no, and received no judging faces. At First County Bank I only saw smiles, and received consistent recommendations on how to proceed.  I presented my business plan, and the rest is history. For 22 years First County Bank has been right there helping me grow my business. 

First County Bank has been there for us, through my accident, and today with COVID-19. First County Bank is more than a bank, they invest in the wellbeing of every responsible business and they see their long-term potential. Their relationship keeps you energized because you do not feel alone. When I call or visit a branch, I feel like I am going to see my friends, I have never seen a face without a smile, and with COVID-19 I missed them all tremendously! I know the small businesses in my area, and customers of First County Bank feel the same.

FCB: Who is your go to Banker on our Business Banking team?

FB: Patricia Sweeney and her team are second to none. They are in a class of their own. They will move mountains to make sure you succeed. Sometimes, I feel embarrassed when I go off with my personal issues, and Patty patiently listens, and then one word of her response keeps me on track. They want you to succeed and they are generous with their time, especially Patricia.  My other amazing First County Bank team is the staff at the branch next to my home. Sheila Content and the staff at the Main Avenue – Norwalk branch, are truly unique individuals, happy, informed, and ready to help – love them all!

FCB: What were/are some of the hurdles your business experienced due to the pandemic?

FB: Where to start? Not just the pandemic but SANDO another one of my businesses (a Chilean Sandwich shop in Bethel) experienced total destruction from the big storm we had on August 4th. Business completed stopped for both my video company and sandwich shop. People are scared, they are careful with their expenses, and they are not spending money in this environment.  It will be a slow recovery. We must be nimble at this time, work on reinventing our business while being creative in our approach.

FCB: What is your Covid Comeback story or how did your business model adapt as a result of the pandemic?

FB: Before the storm Isaiah destroyed my Chilean Sandwich Shop SANDO, we were gearing up for its grand opening on August 7^th. We invested in new equipment, and we created an online ordering system using TRAY – a self-service kiosk and point of sale. The storm that hit on August 4^th destroyed everything inside when a wall behind the restaurant fell into our kitchen. It was a wakeup call on how a dream can disappear in seconds, but our will to succeed will not, and we are back to the drawing table. We are going to come back with a vengeance! You must keep positive in this environment.

At Creative Video Corp, we are taking this time to reorganized ourselves and coming up with fun and profitable ideas. We are working on a concept for an online educational show for Kid’s about nature. Our host will be a creative and talented kid, who is eager to show other kids how to learn in this fun new way.  We are creating content and are excited with this new approach. Our clients are slowly coming back from hiding and we are ready to impress them.

FCB: Tell us about a situation where First County Bank was able to help/assist the needs of your business?

FB: First County Bank is always there, Patricia is always keeping me informed. Before I even reached out, Patricia told me right away about the PPP Loan program from the SBA.  The business team at First County Bank also helped me apply twice for an SBA 504 Loan – the first time with Creative Video 22 years ago, and again more recently for my catering company Loree’s Kitchen and Catering ( which later became SANDO).  Sheila Content follows up with me constantly, with new offers and new information. It’s a partnership. I feel like First County Bank is an extension of my business, a strong pillar of healthy information and support.

FCB: What advice if any, you would offer up to women who are interested in starting their own business?

FB: Believe in yourself, if you have done your homework, if you have written a business plan, a plan of execution, if you know in your heart that you can succeed in your endeavors, never quit, and work intelligently by welcoming others input and expertise. You are not alone, there are so many advisors and mentors around that want to help. Network, join groups, inform others about your business. Welcome struggles, mistakes, and fall outs, but never feel that you have failed. Sometimes, the direction of your business will differ because technology has changed. Sometimes a virus and storm will paralyze you, but it does not mean that your mind stops working in your unwavering goals to make your dream a reality. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Your mind has more than 600 billion neurons, the power is in you. You must believe in you, and have faith that you have informed yourself to the best of your ability. I always tell my young interns, join the human race; everyone has doubts, insecurities, even the richest of people. Never be intellectually lazy.  Be curious, information is power, good communication can be learned. I came to the U.S. alone from Chile, when I was 19 years old.  I didn’t speak any English, but I decided to assimilate to the America spirit. Here you can really pursue your dreams, and with hard work you can make them a reality. There are millions of successful stories, and in those stories, are millions of mistakes made. Success to me is when you follow your dream believing in you, live life with all it has to offer, and overcome obstacles with tremendous character –  knowing that it’s only a momentary hurdle in life  that will make you stronger, better and dialectically wiser.

FCB: Any hurdles that you had to overcome as a female business owner?

FB: In the early years, production and postproduction companies were almost exclusively run by men. I had to work harder, not only because I was a woman, but also because I had a strong accent. My English was not fluent; I had to persuade them that I had the expertise, that I was creative, that my mind was always working on how to resolve their problems and how to serve them to the best of my ability. I am a solution oriented and practical individual, and I am very free in my approach. I’m genuine. So I had to adapt, I had to be aware of those little nuances that are important in business, I had to learn how to listen, be flexible and move on when I encountered myself in a situation that I knew was not fair because I was a woman.  I re-framed myself by saying, c’est la vie, and “it’s not about me”. The world is not a fair place, it’s up to me to realize what it’s important, and sometimes you must disregard your impatience, not be myopic and be open to seeing other perspectives. It’s a balancing game. So be aware, be open and move on with the right spirit of happiness and equanimity, do not sweat the little things. You as a woman are already successful, you don’t need to prove it, you are already giving to the community by following your dreams, we all do, so be proud, be confident and be loving. I do not see hurdles I can’t cross, I see challenges, and each challenge makes me a better human being.

by ig

National Women’s Small Business Month – Company Spotlight: HAYVN

Felicia Rubinstein Founder & Chief Collaborator of the Coworking Community – HAYVN

Meet Felicia Rubinstein, Founder & Chief Collaborator of the Coworking Community – HAYVN, which opened its doors in May of 2019. Felicia worked with our Business Banking team on a PPP loan. We connected with her to learn more about her experience with our team and the importance of staying positive when starting your own business.

FCB: What is your business specialty/focus?

FR: Coworking and Flexible Office Space, located in Darien.

FCB: Why do you trust your business to First County Bank?

FR: First County Bank is always very responsive. They were especially amazing during the Covid crisis, as they helped me throughout the process of getting funding via a PPP loan.

FCB: Who is your go to Banker on our Business Banking team?

FR: Michael Yao

FCB: What were/are some of the hurdles your business experienced due to the pandemic?

FR:  We are working hard to maintain existing members despite social distancing concerns, and bringing in new members who are interested in private offices. We had to update our dedicated desks with plexiglass and dedensify our common areas and private offices, in order to adapt to the “new normal.”  We ramped up our marketing to support our membership recruiting efforts. We also created a virtual membership to maintain existing members and grow our subscription model. We incurred considerable expenses in May and June to make our facility a “Safe HAYVN” for our members and other visitors.

FCB: What is your Covid Comeback story or how did your business model adapt as a result of the pandemic?

FR: We are seeing some progress in recovering the revenue we lost between February and May, but we are also encountering severe headwinds. We have landed approximately 35 new members over the past 6 months, resulting in an increase in revenue. Our team had to adapt our business model to address social distancing concerns, retrain existing members on new protocols, and bring in new members who are more interested in private offices. We are also actively experimenting with digital memberships, virtual mailboxes, for profit program offerings and events, alternative family-friendly coworking packaging options, and an internship program to help members and high-school and college students in the area.

FCB: Tell us about a situation where First County Bank was able to help/assist the needs of your business.

FR:  We received PPP loan funding and advice from First County Bank. Our commercial banker Michael Yao was super responsive and very helpful.  I would prepare my files in the middle of the night, when I couldn’t sleep. Michael would be right there getting back to me first thing in morning.  The process was very smooth and it absolutely saved my business during these unprecedented times.

FCB: What advice if any, you would offer up to women who are interested in starting their own business?

FR: Go for it – and be sure to stay positive and carry your own sunshine.  Others will be attracted to your positive attitude and be encouraged to do the same.

FCB: Any hurdles that you had to overcome as a female business owner?

FR: Always – it is a balancing act – juggling family and work.  You have to be really buttoned up and super prepared to be taken seriously.

by ig