Economy Builder Partner Stories:
Dr. Susan McCartney and the Small Business Development Center at SUNY Buffalo State
Helping Entrepreneurs Move from “What Now?” to What’s Next
For Dr. Susan McCartney, supporting small businesses is about helping entrepreneurs see what’s possible, then giving them the tools, guidance, and confidence to get there.
As director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SUNY Buffalo State, Dr. McCartney leads a team focused on assisting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey to build stronger, more sustainable businesses that contribute to a healthier regional economy.
Supporting Entrepreneurs Across Western New York
The SBDC at SUNY Buffalo State works with startups and established business owners who want to do something bigger.
“They are coming with passion. They want to get the job done,” Dr. McCartney says. “And we are honored to be able to work with them in all phases of their entrepreneurial journey.”
At the heart of the SBDC’s approach is confidential, one-to-one business counseling. Each entrepreneur is paired with a business advisor who takes a close look at their goals, strengths, and challenges. Often, the first thing entrepreneurs ask is simply, “What do I do now?”
That question becomes the starting point for a deeper assessment. Advisors help business owners clarify what they need to move forward and build a realistic plan to get there. From refining a business model to preparing for expansion, the process is tailored to each client.
Opening Doors Through Certification and Contract Readiness
Two of the SBDC’s most impactful offerings are its certification assistance and Marketing Solutions and Contract Readiness programs. Both programs are designed to help entrepreneurs access larger markets and new revenue opportunities.
Certification assistance supports Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certifications at the city, county, state, and federal levels. New York State certification, often considered the gold standard, can open doors to a wide range of contracts.
“It’s not for the faint of heart,” Dr. McCartney says of the process. “The certification process is multi-page, with lots of questions. It’s a tricky thing to fill out.”
With investment from the Center for Regional Strategies (CRS), the SBDC has a full-time certification specialist to guide entrepreneurs through the process, significantly increasing their ability to compete for contracts.
The Marketing Solutions and Contract Readiness program helps entrepreneurs secure contracts with anchor institutions across Western New York, including hospitals, universities, municipalities, and major employers.
“Our contract readiness program is absolutely an economic development generator,” Dr. McCartney explains. “You only engage in this because you want more business. You’re looking at creating more wealth—for you, your family, and the employees that you hire.”
From Individual Growth to Community Impact
As entrepreneurs grow, the impact extends beyond individual businesses. Dollars earned are spent locally. “The more wealth that we generate for the entrepreneurs who are living here and operating here,” Dr. McCartney says, “it enhances the wealth of the community. It gives people hope that they might not have had before.”
That impact is visible in the experiences of SBDC clients.
Junk Free Skin, a sustainable personal care manufacturing company, graduated from the Marketing Solutions and Contract Readiness program. Through SBDC, the company was also introduced to the Buffalo Purchasing Initiative, which is a business cooperative that introduces larger employers to small businesses for purchasing opportunities.
After years of research, development, and refinement of their environmentally friendly packaging, Junk Free Skin is now preparing to scale, projecting growth to 30–50 employees in the coming years. “Working with the Buffalo State Small Business Development Center has been pivotal in our growth,” says co-founder Mike Constantine.
For Alaina Smith, founder of Hydras Engineering, the SBDC helped turn three decades of experience into a viable business. After spending the majority of her career in corporate roles, Smith wanted to serve clients more directly.
With SBDC support, she secured her Women-Owned Business Enterprise certification and completed the Contract Readiness program. “Without the help of the Small Business Development Center, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Smith says. “I’m not sure Hydras Engineering would’ve ever gotten off the ground.”
A Partnership Focused on Growth
The SBDC’s work is amplified through its partnership with CRS via the Small Business Growth Initiative (SBGI), which coordinates trusted community-based organizations to strengthen the small business ecosystem and make resources easier to navigate.
“We feel very aligned with CRS,” Dr. McCartney says. “We’re on the same page about making Buffalo more economically stable and helping neighborhoods grow.”
After more than 40 years at SUNY Buffalo State, the SBDC is experiencing unprecedented demand. For Dr. McCartney, that surge represents an opportunity to help Buffalo-based entrepreneurs compete not just locally, but regionally and nationally.
With the right support, the question, “What do I do now?” becomes the beginning of what comes next.