Behind The Business: Genesee County NY

On our first episode with Cohost's Kelly Bermingham and Katy Hobbs, we are joined by Karyn Winters - Director of the Genesee County Business/Education Alliance.

Karyn was born and raised in Genesee County and is a 2003 graduate of Pavilion Central School - Go Gophers! She has a  Bachelor's degree in secondary social studies education from Siena College and a master's degree in world history from SUNY Brockpo...

This episode we were joined by Guy Pellegrino of Pellegrino Auto Sales. He details his start in business at a young age and the mentorship he received from his former boss. He has devoted his entire adult life to building his car business into what it is today and expanding over the years. He gives a lot of credit to the employees and the people of Pellegrino Auto Sales for its longstanding success.

Guy is a graduate of BH...

This episode we were joined by local comic, pop culture, star wars aficionado- Bill Hume of Foxprowl Collectables.

Bill brings his humor and pop culture knowledge to the interview and speaks about the growth of his business from hobby to full time job since 1999. Foxprowl is a collectables store in Batavia that specializes in unique items from the 70s, 80s but also has a flair for the new age of collectables with Marvel an...

This episode we were joined by new business owner Mitch Kolb of Batavia Garage Door Co. Mitch had worked at Batavia Garage door for many years before having the opportunity to take over the business in the Fall of 2020.

Listen to his inspiring story of the heart and compassion he has experienced in the local business community in Genesee County, NY.

To learn more about our Genesee County businesses, visit us at https://gene...

This episode we were joined by local businessman and community savant, Matty Gray. 

Born and raised in Batavia, Matty has had a huge impact on this community in his ownership of multiple businesses, and his involvement in the development of Genesee County, where he calls home.

In this conversation he speaks about how he cut his teeth in business at an early age and moved to North Carolina to open up a pizza place....

This episode we were joined by Jessica Pratt and Zach Kobylanski, both young business people who operate businesses of their own. Jess owns a fitness center, Whole Life Fitness, and Zach a landscaping company, Versascape. 

In the past two years they have partnered on many new business ventures: 
-Pro-Kleen, a powerwashing and residential and commercial cleaning company.
-The Lost Sock Laundromat, a self-service lau...

This episode we were joined by longtime proprietress of Rolling Hills Asylum, Sharon Coyle.

Established in 1827, the Genesee County Poor House (now Rolling Hills Asylum) soon became a refuge for some of society's less fortunate. With over 1,700 documented deaths and hundreds not recorded, Haunted North America has rated it as the second most haunted site in the United States! Right here in East Bethany, NY!

I...

This episode we were joined by Don Brown of Charles Men Shop and Batavia Bootery. 

Family owned & operated since 1947, Charles Men's Shop, Inc. has been Batavia's number one choice for fine men's clothing for many years. Due to a partnership with PW Minor, they have also operated Batavia Bootery in Downtown Batavia since 2017.

Don speaks of his expertise in the business and how over many years t...

This episode we were joined by Judy Hysek from Eden Cafe- Genesee County's first and only vegan eatery!

Judy got her start with Eden in 2017 in a foodie challenge competition where the winner got to utilize space inside of Eli Fish Brewing as a "restaurant incubator kitchen." This allowed her to build the business and benefit from the advice of people who were already in the business.

Now, after a f...

This episode we were joined by local businessman and artist, Brian Kemp. Brian's business, T Shirts-Etc,  is celebrating 25 years of existence this year with its history of multiple locations across Batavia.

Brian grew up in Batavia and highlights his start in the Harvester Center and how he has grown and changed the business in it's lifetime. He talks about his passion for art and his different projects across t...

In this episode we were joined by local business owner, Noah Whiteford of Whiteford Dental Lab. Whiteford Dental is a fixed prosthetic lab in Batavia NY that specializes in implant and digital dental services- but as Noah would say in layman's terms, "They make teeth".
 
In this spirited conversation, Noah details the immense growth of the business in its short lifetime, and their incessant need of more space...

This episode we were joined by John Roche, current owner of Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle Store.

John details the history of the iconic toy store in Downtown Batavia and the visitors that return year after year. He talks about how he got into the business back in 2000 and how his childhood passion for bicycles inspired him to take the leap into ownership.

To learn more about our Genesee County businesses, visit us at https://...

This episode we were joined by local businessman, Kent Ewell, owner of O'Lacy's Irish Pub in Batavia.

Kent details his life and career before the pub and his inspiration for opening it up 25 years ago.  He talks about the research he did and the importance he placed on making it look and feel like a true Irish Pub. 

O'Lacy's has become a local staple and gathering place for the people in Genese...

Season two officially launched after a slight delay.

This episode we were joined by Jon Mager, of the Mager Family, the people behind Arctic Refrigeration in Batavia. He details the history of the family owned business that has spanned over 75 years and was started by his grandfather in his garage on Otis St in Batavia.

Jon goes on to speak about his newest venture, the famous Eli Fish Brewing Co, located on Main ...

This episode we were joined by long time local business owner Mike Hodgins. Mike and his family have owned and operated Hodgins Printing and John's Studios since the late 50s. Mike's father, John, started the business and in this episode Mike details the story behind their business. He also speaks of the change in the industry and how they have adapted over the past twenty or so years.

To learn more about our Genesee Count...

This episode we were joined by local entrepreneur Brandon Armstrong, of Royals Barbershop in Batavia. Brandon has operated his own business since his early 20s and has always wanted to use his creativity to provide for himself and his community. 
Brandon talks about his younger days and his inspiration to be a barber, and the few different opportunities that have come his way over his time as a local business owner in Batavia. ...

This episode we were joined by the newest dynamic duo of local business in Genesee County, Chris and Shelly from Empire Hemp in Batavia. The new health and wellness shop opened up in April of 2021 on Main St in the Masonic Temple building.

Empire Hemp Co. produces a wide range of Hemp Derived CBD products for the purpose of providing happiness, health, healing and wellness.  In this episode they detail their standards on c...

This episode we were joined by a member of our prominent agricultural community here in Genesee County.: Tim Call, of Empire Tractor. He joined us to detail his time at the business in Batavia and how he impulsively got into ownership. He goes on to detail his family's long history of agriculture businesses and various community support in our region.

To learn more about our Genesee County businesses, visit us at https://genese...