Open For Business

Birdsbesafe
Nancy Brennan of Birdsbesafe is making sure cats in the Champlain Valley and beyond don’t end up looking like the infamous “cat that caught the canary.”

Brennan began selling her brightly colored cat collars in March. As a bird lover, she said she was distressed when her cat, George, began bringing home dead songbirds.

While doing some research, Brennan learned that birds can see more colors than humans, and a bird’s eye structure also allows it to see bright colors more easily.

Brennan said she made George a tube of bright colored fabric, which he wore around his neck. He hasn’t killed another bird since.

“Someone should start a business,” Brennan said she remembers thinking. “I’d solved the problem for myself, and thought everyone should have one.”

Currently, Brennan makes the collars herself; however, plans are in the works to turn this task over to a New England-based factory in the near future. Nylon webbing inside the collars, adjustable size options and a safety buckle that prevents a cat from getting strangled on branches or other objects, have all been included in the Birdsbesafe collar design, said Brennan.

The collars are currently available at Guy’s Farm and Yard in Williston and Montpelier, the Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington and Shaw’s General store in Stowe; they also are available online. Brennan said she’s in the process of adding more stores that will carry Birdsbesafe, and intends to have them in national chain stores throughout the country in the future.

Brennan has worked previously in the nonprofit conservation field, including for the Green Mountain Club. Though she has no formal business training, she finds her past work in this arena has been an asset to her business.

“It seemed that all the elements were there,” said Brennan regarding her start up. She also utilized the services of the Small Business Administration’s SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) office in Montpelier and Essex Junction, which she found helpful.

Having a deep interest in nature along with her background in nonprofit work has also helped Brennan: she said if she were creating a product only to make money, she wouldn’t have started her business. It was her interest in bird safety and her love of the natural world that was a driving force behind her business.

Birdsbesafe recently participated in the International Migratory Bird Day, held at the Birds of Vermont Museum. The annual event was co-sponsored with Vermont Audubon. It included bird banding demonstrations, bird programs for children, live bird shows and games and activities. Brennan said she was pleased Birdsbesafe was included in the daylong event.

The mailing address for Birdsbesafe is 861 Mountainview Drive, Duxbury, VT 05676. The Web site is www.birdsbesafe.com. The email address is birdsbesafe@gmail.com.

Vermont Sustainable Exchange
Vermont Sustainable Exchange (VSE), a business-to-business network located in Burlington, was recently opened by Amy Kirschner.

The company, conceptualized in 2007, officially launched when it began signing up businesses throughout the state this past January.

Several businesses are currently members, including Main Street Landing, Big Heavy World and the Sammel Sign Company. More than a dozen other companies are in the process of becoming members, according to Kirschner.

Kirschner summarized VSE as “an online marketplace for Vermont businesses and nonprofits to match resources and buy local.”

VSE also extends credit to businesses for capital and projects. “It’s a tool that can be used by every size and type of business,” said Kirschner. The format is somewhat similar to a business bartering system. VSE hopes to have 100 members signed up by this summer.

Kirschner’s early career was focused on sales and marketing. She has also worked with various nonprofits since graduating with a degree in business management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. Kirschner is currently completing a graduate degree in natural resources with a concentration on ecological economics at the University of Vermont.

A member and volunteer of the Burlington Time Bank since its inception in 2006, she said she’s excited about the possibilities for alternative commerce available for businesses in today’s market.

Several local businesses were utilized in VSE’s startup. These include PMG Creative for Web site and public relations work; the services of Double Entry Bookkeeping; and the legal firm of Timothy King.

Using local services, said Kirschner was “the most important thing” in VSE’s start up. The company’s mission is heavily influenced by meeting local needs with local products and services. Kirschner said keeping capital local isn’t only good for business, but also is beneficial to the environment and the community.

By keeping money circulating in a local market, VSE looks to assist more Vermont businesses and individuals. “I see this as a tool to actually buy local,” said Kirschner.

The company’s marketing has mostly been through word of mouth recommendations. Kirschner is also a member of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), the New England Women Business Owners (WBON), Local First Vermont and the Vermont Fresh Network. “I’ve been very happy with the support of WBON and VBSR through networking opportunities,” said Kirschner.

There are plans to expand VSE’s staff in the future, according to Kirschner, who said she hopes to hire employees next year. VSE currently has participating members in Chittenden, Franklin, Bennington and Washington counties.

VSE’s mailing address is P.O. Box 344, Burlington, VT 05401. The e-mail address is info@changethemarket.com. The telephone number is 802.399.4210. The Web site is www.changethemarket.com.

The Spot
Entrepreneur Russ Scully is branching out with a new restaurant, The Spot, opening in July in a remodeled Phillips 66 gas station at Shelburne Road and Alfred Street.

A first-time restaurateur, Scully is a partner in Propeller Media Works, a Burlington Internet technology and marketing company. At press time, the restaurant was scheduled to open July 6.

Scully will remain The Spot’s owner and business manager. Sisters Chantal Beliveau and Lia Beliveau, owners of the Outer Space Café, will manage the food and service end.

“They were a great find for me,” Scully said of the Beliveaus, whose café is located in the building that houses Propeller Media Works at 208 Flynn Avenue.

“They do a lot of fun things at Outer Space — movie nights, theater, experimental. And, they had the capacity for growth in their business.” He said the sisters will split their time between the Outer Space and The Spot.

Opening a restaurant is an unexpected entrepreneurial direction for Scully. An East Coast native who attended school and worked in California, Scully came to Vermont to raise his family. A technology specialist, in 2004 he merged his own computer technology and marketing company with Propeller Media Works, founded by Dave Gibson. Scully said he expanded into commercial real estate “to get on the other side of the rent check.” He purchased the old Maynard Auto Supply Building, a 10,000-square-foot structure on Pine Street to convert into four rental units.

The iconic Phillips 66 gas station building caught Scully’s attention. “I loved the building, I loved the lot and I loved the location,” he said. “The building was unique and screaming with creative potential.”

The distinctive mid-20th-century building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of its historic status, the exterior can’t be substantially altered.

But, with its soaring V-shaped overhanging roof and excellent visibility on Shelburne Road, Scully knew he could capitalize on its location and look. The structure is too small to be profitable as rental space, he said, but it could be remodeled into a profitable restaurant if he remains involved in the business.

The building was owned by JAR Properties and had been part of a group of Kaigle Citgo stations, Scully said. He purchased it in 2008 after addressing groundwater and other issues.

He said he went “pedal to the metal” to get the project ready to open for the 2009 summer season. The building is slightly less than 500 square feet, Scully said, with a seating capacity for about 50 patrons.

Prime Construction in South Burlington was general contractor; other contractors include Plumbing and Heating, Richard Electric and Dubois Excavating.

Chantal Beliveau said her sister will handle most of the restaurant’s daily operations, but both sisters will keep a hand in each location.

Chantal Beliveau said The Spot will have a staff of four, including Lia Beliveau. The menu will be influenced by a passion for fresh local foods, and will reflect Scully’s love of seafood with a California twist.

“Russ’s concept is to have fresh California style surf-themed food,” Beliveau said. “Pineapples, avocados and he’s a fan of fish tacos.” Breakfast will be available seven days a week, and lunch will include salads, sandwiches and soups.

The group made a conscious decision not to install a fryer. “All the food will be good for you,” Beliveau said.

The Spot restaurant is located at 210 Shelburne Road. Scully can be reached at 208 Flynn Avenue, Burlington, or by telephone at 802.540.1086.


Lilly Belle’s
Rosemary Lawyer set out to create a shop that celebrates women, and that she has.

She opened Lilly Belle’s boutique in early May in Essex Junction. The cozy shop of about 450 square feet contains everything from home décor and fashion accessories, party dresses and no-wrinkle travel wear, to Vermont made soaps and body products.

Lawyer’s background is in interior design, a talent that is evident by the way she has decorated the shop. Vintage framed record albums by the likes of Carole King and Bette Midler grace the walls alongside photographs of Amelia Earhart and other female icons.

Though amply stocked with merchandise, the shop has a comfortable flow that makes browsing a breeze. White walls give Lilly Belle’s an airy feel.

“I used to design window treatments for customers. What I brought was an eye for color, pattern and texture,” she said. “It’s the same with clothing and store presentation.”

Lawyer, who previously was co-owner of the Copper Cauldron gift shop for the past year, said she had always wanted to open her own shop. When the gift shop went out of business earlier this year, she finally got her chance.

Business thus far has been good, she said, adding that every day is better than the last. One of her first customers was a woman from New York City.

“I had always dreamed of opening a shop in New York City,” said Lawyer. “The woman said, ‘This reminds me of a little boutique right out of SoHo.’” Lawyer said the compliment validated the goal she was trying to achieve.

“I’m not mainstream. If someone is doing (a particular thing), I’m going to do something else,” she said.

That independent streak translated well into her new venture. The boutique is filled with unique finds. Vera Bradley beaded evening bags that are leather rather than quilted, Liz Soto bags from California and Vermont-made Booby bags – small evening bags handcrafted from a lacey bra cup – round out the full selection of pocketbook options.

Among Lawler’s goals was the creation of a boutique where generations could shop side-by-side. Reflecting on the pattern that typifies mother and teenager excursions whereby both may head out together to the mall but then part ways at mall’s entrance, Lawyer set out to create a mutually satisfying and affordable experience.

“It’s a place where a grandmother can take her teenaged granddaughter, or a mother and her daughter can shop together,” she said.

Prices at Lilly Belle’s range from scarves at $12.99 and T-shirts at $24.99, to one-of-a-kind dresses priced at $100 and up.

Lilly Belle’s is located at 38 C. Park Street, Essex Junction, 05452. The phone number is 802.316.4250. The Web site is www.lillybelles.com. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.