MVCC’s thINCubator and the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center are a hub for small businesses in the greater Mohawk Valley region. Through our business advisement, mentoring, programs, workshops, and coworking space, we offer services to help you start or grow your small business. Whether you need assistance forming your business, building a business plan, applying for funding, building a marketing plan, selling to the government, or just someone to help vet your ideas – we’re here to help your business succeed. Book an appointment to talk to one of our business advisors or attend one of our events to learn more about how we can help.
- We believe in upstate NY Entrepreneurs.
- We believe that entrepreneurs are key to remaking, reshaping, and regrowing the upstate economy.
- We believe that collaboration breeds success.
- We believe in giving aspiring entrepreneurs the tools, connections, and knowledge they need to succeed.
Our Team
Ryan Miller
Director, thINCubator
Ryan Miller connects big ideas, communities, stories, and people. He’s worked with over 400 entrepreneurs, want-repreneurs, students, makers, hackers, refugees and seasoned business owners to solve problems, build businesses and create opportunity.
He’s also the founder of Rust Belt Startup where he acts as a creative mercenary – building websites, videos, producing podcasts and marketing strategies for small businesses and great causes.
Ryan is a Figure-outer-er and has an addiction to learning and building. He’s one of the founders of TEDxUtica, The Utica Firefly Storytelling Series, and Utica Detour. He’s an, aspiring wine snob, curious traveler, recovering singer/songwriter and most importantly a husband and a dad.
Zach Steffen
Director, Mohawk Valley SBDC
Zach Steffen is the regional director of the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center. He oversees the center’s programs and advising, and provides business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Steffen has been with the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center since 2019.
Previously, he was the general manager of North Country Books and the co-owner/president of Pyramid Publishing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from the University at Albany.
Gina Hayduk
Government Contracting Coordinator
Gina Hayduk is the New York SBDC’s Government Contracting Coordinator. She offers advisement and expertise to local businesses on the fundamentals of government contracting at the local, state, and federal levels and also assists businesses in identifying bidding opportunities, understanding the procurement process, and applying for various certifications. Hayduk brings a strong background in project management, communications and engineering, having worked for over 28 years for telecommunications companies. She also has years of management, training and contract experience. Hayduk holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
James Willey
Business Advisor
James Willey provides business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Willey has been with the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center since 2022. Willey previously worked for Mohawk Valley Community College’s Advanced Institute of Manufacturing since 2018 as a Coordinator of the SUNY Apprenticeship Program. Willey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.
Sharrone Sofer
Business Advisor
Sharrone Sofer provides business advisement services to a variety of small businesses and entrepreneurs engaged in starting, managing, growing, or purchasing a business. Sharrone has been with the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center since 2023. Prior to this position, they were a serial entrepreneur, working as part of the founding team at Cooper Botanicals, selling real estate with Jay Groah, and co-founding both food enterprises “the Compound” and “She Fancy.” Sharrone brings their background in business, advising, consulting, project management, and restaur-entrepreneurship. They hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin.