January 2016

Newsletter
Entrepreneur of the Month
Leticia Villagran
Aura Salon


 Think of Aura Salon as a safe
 haven for your hair. Leticia
 Villagran's boutique has a
 relaxed, romantic feel

 thanks to crystal chandeliers,
 brick floors, antique settees,
 vases of French tulips, and
 mini-mullioned windows all
 couched in a charmingly
 historic building on
 Chappaqua's King Street. And
 since hair is never just hair for
 women-it can be political, personal, exhausting and restorative - hers is the kind of salon where you never leave half-happy.

Thanks to a small business loan from Community Capital New York, Leticia was able to buy into the business she helped to build, now employing 15 stylists and cosmetologists. Earning a degree in her native Guatemala, and studying hair and beauty since age 14, her specialty is working with natural products: Aura Salon is certified with Aveda and Organic Salon Systems. So not only is the cut, color, hair extensions, and mani pedi experience perfect, it's also healthy.
 
Click here to read the full story on how Community Capital helped the business grow. Then call to make an appointment: (914) 238-0091, visit them at 191 King St. Chappaqua, NY 10514 or visit the business' website at http://auraboutiquesalon.com/.
News to Use in your small Business
New Year's Ideas for your business

The New Year is always a great point in time to look back and then start afresh - are you ready to make 2016 be the best year yet?
Are you planning a whole list of resolutions for your business or just looking for small improvements? Here are a few suggestions to help you start the year off right.

No time or energy to plan for an entire year? Try our initial "quick fixes" and just focus on them for a day or a week; if they work, you can always repeat them and before you know it, you might just create a new habit. Succeeding in smaller bite sized challenges might get you motivated to try the "deep dive" - just read on and see what works for you:

Focus for a day:

Design your day around essentials
"If you got three important things done every day in your professional life, would that be a good day?" Most people say yes, but few actually design their days to realize that outcome. Try to start your day asking, "What are the top three most important things I want to do today?" By doing so, it enables you to be intentional with your choices, and stay on track.

Give Back

Helping others can help you both in your business and in your life. Setting time away to give back can be incredibly positive and rewarding. Consider opportunities where you can offer your business's services or products. Not only will you feel good about helping out, it may expose your business to new audiences and enable you to meet others, who like you, are dedicated to doing good. Donating your "time, talent, or treasures" also just feels good. It can lift you up and put a positive spin on your business that will be reflected in everything you do.
 
Did we pique your interest? Click here to see our suggestions for a week or a longer time frame, then let us know what your plans are on our Facebook page!

We hope you make 2016 your best year yet! 
Best of Westchester

 
It's that time of year again - voting is open for the Best of Westchester!

 Please click here and consider voting for some of our clients as you cast your ballots. If you are undecided here are a few suggestions to make your selection easier:

Food and Dining: Lalibela / Yonkers Brewing
Health & Beauty: Aura Salon / Vajza Salon / Mode A Salon
People and Media: Multi-Marketing USA             
Shopping: Posh Pretzels / Hudson Valley Hockey Company / Run on HV
Fun & Leisure: Rise Above Flotation       
Kids: Talk of the Town   
Weddings: The Booth
 
As always, you can find a complete list of our clients here.
 
Have fun casting your votes!



Support

 
Consider shopping  on Amazon Smile and support Community Capital by doing so. 0.5% of your purchases are automatically donated. Click here to find out more



Opportunity is our mission.

Creating Opportunity is our mission. Community Capital is an economic catalyst that strengthens the prosperity of our communities. Through education and innovative financing we enable underserved people to become stakeholders in a more inclusive economy.

We believe:  

Access to opportunity is a path to prosperity and successSafe, decent, affordable housing create stronger communitiesFinancial and business education fosters economic independenceHardworking people willing to invest in their businesses deserve our support.
Community Capital New York
Wells Fargo
SBA
Empire State Development
  914 747-8020| 914 747-2049| www.communitycapitalny.org