By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Eight companies participated in this year’s Laine Business Accelerator Showcase in the Cutco Theater at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus.
The showcase was the fifth group of business owners since the inception of the first business accelerator for entrepreneurs in 2021.
A total of 38 entrepreneurs have now been involved in the Laine Business Accelerator, named after the late Erick Laine, the former CEO and chairman of Cutco who died in 2020.
Laine Business Accelerator is funded by the Erick Laine Entrepreneurship Fund, created as a memorial to Mr. Laine by the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. It is administered by the Olean Business Development Foundation.
Jamestown Community College President Dr. Daniel DeMarte and St. Bonaventure University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich, welcomed the more than 100 people in the audience at the theater.
Tom Cullen, a director and co-founder of the Laine Business Accelerator, spoke of the group’s impact over five years. This year’s cohort spent three hours on Fridays over a 14-week period of entrepreneurial instruction.
The owner of each business involved this year made a presentation to the audience.
The presenters and their businesses are:
- Josh Fuller, owner of Fuller’s Fabrication, a metalwork operation.
- Shaina Griffin, owner of Adored Boards, creator of beautifully crafted food boards from locally sourced ingredients.
- Jeff Andrews, Pine Hill Cattle Co., providing locally raised meats on his family’s farm.
- Brian Rodman, co-owner of Turbo Machining, which is looking to build a manufacturing legacy in the region.
- Molly Vaughan, owner of 1907 Wax, LLC, is focusing on expanding the brand and increasing access to solon services.
- Jacob Alianello of MDA Consulting Engineers, spoke of expanding the company started by his father.
- Sharon Alexis Tom, co-owner of Olean Carpet Cleaning LLC, spoke of expanding the business into new quarters.
- Dave Preston, owner of Preston Personal Training, had clients relate their experience with the growing company. Besides one-on-one training, the company is expanding into company wellness programs.
Each one of the eight participants received a $5,000 check from the business accelerator presented by Jim Stitt Sr., and Marianne Laine, widow of Erick Laine.
In addition, the participating businesses selected Preston Personal Training to receive the Jim Stitt Sr. Award. That award was presented by Stitt.
Early next year, the Laine Business Accelerator will receive applications from entrepreneurs for the 2026 cohort. For more information, go online to lainebusinessaccelerator.com
