A young man in business for himself was the leading speaker at the June meeting of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, and he came with advice for others running or thinking about starting their own businesses. The man, Josh Springer, founder of NorthSide Web Services, said that any such persons must be seriously committed not only to business Web sites but also to social media. Having made the commitment, they must stick to it and make no excuses to slack off, because the cyber-world of business is always renewing and enlarging itself and they must keep up with it. Springer did not design SCC’s new Web site but the designer who did, Sonia Mylonas, was in attendance, as were Reg Tiu, a physical therapist and new SCC member, and Nick Gulotta, aide to Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, who had news about a couple of local playgrounds.
SCC President Swain Weiner introduced Springer, who immediately quizzed the luncheon attendees at Dazie’s restaurant on Queens Boulevard about their Web sites and their use of such social media institutions as Facebook and Twitter. Though several did have them, Springer proceeded as if everyone was pretty much on the ground floor. He told them not to feel intimidated by it all, this is something they simply have to learn. He did not launch a business pitch but did tell them that he specializes in getting organic traffic for those in need of it, adding that NorthSide provides instructional classes and best practices workshops that make one “sharable” through one’s Web site and business product. New platforms emerge constantly, he said. He recommended one of the latest, Vine. With it, you can take six-second videos repeatedly, and develop advertisements with them. He said he was skeptical when he first heard of it but became an enthusiast after learning to understand its approach to advertising. As for applications—or apps, in a world dominated by i-Phone and its rivals—he told his listeners that they have to steep themselves in them to see what useful functions they perform—and that is not nearly as confusing or time-consuming as the uninitiated might think. He was trying to tell them that they remain uninitiated at their peril. As for online hostility, it can be countered by setting up a dummy site to collect undesirable email while letting good email go to a bona fide receptacle.
Springer’s Web site is www.northsidewebservices.com and his phone number is 347-217-1656.
Weiner indicated a coming format when he said more local businessmen such as Josh Springer should speak at SCC luncheons. He introduced Sonia Mylonas as the designer of SCC’s new Web site and she thanked all relevant persons for the opportunity she was given to design it. Jeanette Newman of Queens Vocational High School, who has spoken at past luncheons, said she met Mylonas at a trades fair in Long Island City and had her speak at the school. She said Springer has spoken there too.
Ralph Santiago, assistant principal at Aviation High School, spoke to the luncheon guests to say that if issues come up involving Aviation students, please notify the school. He said he wants his students to realize that in their travels they represent the school, and dubious behavior reflects poorly on Aviation, which has had an “A” rating for the past six years on Mayor Bloomberg’s school performance chart.
Nick Gulotta, Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s representative at SCC luncheons, said that the reopening of Lou Lodati Playground, at Skillman Avenue and 43rd Street, was delayed but is now on schedule to take place next week. Also on 43rd Street, but at Greenpoint Avenue, is Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan Jr. Playground, which is to undergo partial reconstruction, mainly to make the children’s play areas safer. That will take place in coming weeks and, unlike the situation at Lodati, is not expected to necessitate the closing of the playground.