His vision for 516/631 Ads (the area codes of Long Island's two counties, Nassau and Suffolk), was to create a tool that Long Island's small businesses could use to promote their services and companies, while networking with other small business owners and Long Island organizations. He began by hosting small networking events at local restaurants, where small business owners could come and exchange their business cards, learn about Long Island events, and ultimately network with one another. Simple exchanges, like “If you need someone to paint your house, call Tony,” can be really helpful to help small business get on and stay on their feet. People attending the 516/631 Ads events were giving referrals, promoting their business, and ultimately helping one another get though the hard times of the recession. Then, at home or at the office, the networkers could visit the 516/631 Ads website, where people post ads, classifieds, news, discounts, and any other information about their business. These small events, and 516Ads.com and 631Ads.com, grew into something greater than anyone could have expected.

Today, hundreds of small businesses and entrepreneurs belong to this 516/631 Ads community, which helps raise thousands of dollars each year for local charities, and provide a large support system for emerging and existing small businesses. Small businesses can subscribe for yearly membership to the 516/631 Ads advertising, marketing, and networking services, while the networking events remain free to attend in order to encourage attendance of new and potential members. Many attribute the current success of their small business to being part of this community network. Really built from the ground up, I am proud of my father for creating an environment where businesspeople work and collaborate with one another, not in competition, but really look out for the best of their local small business neighbors. Each time I attend one of these networking events, I am overwhelmed by the praise and accolades people give to my dad. From simply things like "You're lucky to have David as your dad" to "Your dad helped transform my business," I am always amazed at how enthusiastic people are about the power of networking between small business owners.

I am a currently a senior studying biology, and as of now have no plans to become a small business owner. However, I have learned several valuable lessons from my dad’s endeavors in the Long Island small business community network. First and foremost is the value of hard work and perseverance. Nobody could have predicted what 516/631 Ads would grow into, but my dad always followed his vision and put in the long hours necessary to create both an online and face-to-face community that has really had a profound effect on Long Island. Second, I have learned the value of collaboration and networking. Whether it’s a butcher collaborating with a limousine rental owner, or two scientists discussing current research, we all have lessons to learn from one another, and communication is essential for inciting creativity, innovation, and progress no matter what the field. As a future scientist, I hope to use my experience in networking to better communicate and spread ideas both with other scientists, and with members of different communities. Watching my dad build his business from an idea to a large, tangible network of individuals, I have seen firsthand what one can achieve when they are passionate about making a difference and really making things happen.

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Igniting Business Recap ...

Panera/ Suffolk .... last Thursday of each month!!!

516Ads.com & 631Ads.com proudly teamed up with  event sponsors The Law Offices of Fred Kramer,  Bill Haile - Air Quality Solutions  & Norman Wasserman - Friend Entertainment USA  for a top notch morning of smart business activity  @ Panera/ West Babylon. New faces, old friends, LOTS of quality connections!!!

FRIDAY: 516Ads.com & 631Ads.com teamed up with sponsors Bobby Bass - Inbrook Capital, Ben Indiviglia - American Debt Advisors & Anthony W Russo, Esq. - Burns, Russo, Tamigi & Reardon, LLP for an excellent Real Estate/ Business Luncheon @ The Jones Beach Hotel. LOTS of smart seeds planted. Excellent Luncheon!!!

Thanks to our sponsors for their support!!! Thanks to Panera & The Jones Beach Hotel  for their generosity/ hospitality!!! Thanks to all who came out!!!