Mancuso Business Development Group held a Women in Small Business event on Wednesday evening at Moonjava Café on Harvester avenue, highlighting three women owned small businesses in Batavia along with North Ridge Distillery owned by a husband and wife team in the Medina area.
https://www.facebook.com/Moonjavacafe
Kathy Ferrara/Owner of Batavia’s Original started as a server/pizza maker when the Pontillo family started the business at East Main and Harvester avenue. People always told Kathy, “You run it like you own it.” as she waited on tables in the early years.
http://www.bataviasoriginal.com/
Jill Kratz, who is owner of Commit to Well/Eat Well Grill, started making weekly meals for a few people in her kitchen. She now serves over 300 people a week and works out of the YWCA kitchen. “Its a commitment,” says Jill.
Link on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/committowell/
Photojournalist Alecia Kaus of Video News Service, who has been working in the TV news business for 30 years, also participated, letting women know they should follow their path and trust their gut.
North Ridge Distillery from the Medina area was also on hand with samples of their hand crafted spirits made from local produce. Ray Wendling and Kimberly Plummer Wendling have been working on perfecting their products over the years and they are officially out on the market.
Link on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthRidgeDistillery/
Assemblyman Steve Hawley was also on hand discussing the importance of women owned businesses in NYS.
