Greenpoint Reformed Church Pastor Ann Kansfield, 36, had to come through a lot of hurdles because of her sexual orientation. In 2004 she went to Massachussets to get married to her Co-Pastor Jennifer Aull, 38. Ann’s father, Norman Kansfield,  a Reformed Church of America minister, was suspended from his post as a president  of New Brunswick Theological Seminary for officiating the wedding that violated the church law. He was only reinstated this year.

Ann’s own career was also complicated by her openness about being gay. In the following video piece she recounts the story of her ordination by the denomination, different from the one she currently serves…

The purpose of my survey was to find out what small businesses would be most welcome in the neighborhood and have more chances to succeed. Target audience was Greenpoint residents, that’s why I promoted my survey in two relevant facebook groups: Welcome to Poland LOL JK you’re in Greenpoint and I GREW UP IN GREENPOINT. My blog post was also accepted by the major blog in my CD – The Greenpointers, but at the time of this analysis, it hasn’t been published yet. In total, I have got five responses. 40 percent of respondents identified themselves as Greenpoint residents. Their responses are the only relevant to the purpose of my survey, so first, I would like to present the quality data analysis.

(Click on the exhibit to make it larger)

Cinema appears in responses of both Greenpoint respondents: as a small business to open and as a desirable venue. Thus, it could be a good type of small business to consider for local entrepreneurs.

  Both Greenpoint residents express some discontent with the neighborhood food spots. Shops that don’t satisfy their needs are meat markets and grocery stores lacking fresh fish. So, based on the survey results, a small business selling fresh meat and/or fish in the neighborhood might also be a good option. In spite of the expert opinion about the advantage of businesses with no employees, most respondents said that they would open a business with 3-5 employees.

Respondents also showed they are not afraid of additional taxes per employee. Their responses could represent confidence and motivation for doing business or ignorance of the expert advice on the subject Meanwhile, it seems that most of the respondents considered Michael D. Jenkins’ point about the Unincorporated Business Tax exemption relevant.

Moving to the quantitative data analysis, a small business that may be good to run in such a neighborhood, as Greenpoint is a music shop.

40 percent of the total number of respondents referred to it either as about a business to open (specifically in Greenpoint and in general) or to see in the neighborhood. Tearooms and Natural food stores were also mentioned in both categories.

However, quantitative data analysis results are not representative considering the purpose and the target audience of the survey. That’s why, based on the relevant survey results, the most compelling new business in Greenpoint would be a small butcher’s or fresh fish shop. Still, this data is not sufficient to make business conclusions. To make them, the survey needs more responses.

Shawn Westfahl, 33, has lived in Zuccotti Park since Sept. 17. He came to New York from Philadelphia to support the Occupy Wall Street movement. A former construction worker Westfahl started volunteering with street medics in Pittsburg about a year ago. He said, he learned about the protest on the list serve, and decided to join. Westfahl helped to start a medical group in the park. Now it’s a team of 30 people, both certified professionals and volunteers. About a third of them were arrested. Some medics were arrested twice, said Westfahl.

Westfahl was arrested while he was treating people exposed to pepper spray near the Union Square on Sept. 24. After he spent 12 hours in jail, his resolve only strengthened.

He is protesting for better healthcare against the occupation of Afghanistan and military aid to Bahrain and Israel: “They can continue arresting, but they’re not going to stop me.”

- Shops signs in Greenpoint. Photo by Flickr member Anna Majkowska

If you are going to open your business in Greenpoint, be ready for a red tape – city, federal and state taxes, both personal and corporate. Besides, learn about types of business that have more chances to succeed in the neighborhood.

Ed Veneziano, the owner of men’s clothing store Cato’s Army & Navy and one of the co-chairs of the Greenpoint Business Alliance, said many businesses – new and old – struggle with rent.

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Brooklyn Woodwind and Brass shop at Bedford Ave., Greenpoint. Photo by Natalia V. Osipova

Brooklyn Woodwind and Brass is the only shop in Brooklyn that sells and repairs jazz players’ instruments.

The owner, Eric Downs, 42, opened his niche business about 10 months ago. He sells saxophones, flutes, trumpets and other instruments. He said the shop has been profitable since the first 30 days of operation.

“There is no competition,” he said. Located in Garden Spot – a residential area where creative community and many young families live – Brooklyn Woodwind and Brass serves professional musicians and all the high schools in the area.

He said he was confident about launching a startup during the economic downturn. Downs is a professional saxophone player. He said it gives him an advantage, because most craftsmen who work on music instruments are not.

He saved to open his shop in Greenpoint for 10 years. The rent security deposit was $20,000. Downs said he still needs time for a payback. In terms of payroll and balance sheets, he hopes to recover his initial investments in the shop in one or two years. His business is yet in transition stage. “I am nearly at the point to start hiring people,” said Downs.

He said he was lucky to get a commercial lease in Greenpoint. In New York City, in general, there’s a fight for a good place to rent. The landlord is in restaurant business, so he didn’t consider Downs a competitor. There’s no possible way to try to open a restaurant in this area, – said Downs. “A usual lifespan of a new restaurant in New York is six to nine months,” he said. “Competition is ridiculous”

Blue ocean strategy worked perfectly for Downs. In case you are a businessman planning to launch a start-up in Greenpoint, here’s a bunch of helpful resources.

The Greenpoint Business Alliance (GBA) is an association of merchants, businesses, property owners and community organizations of the neighborhood. Its mission is to support the economic development through collaboration of businesses within the 11222 zip code.

If you have not yet come up with your business idea, a local blog could inspire you to bring the neighborhood something everybody is longing for.

The New York Times offers an efficient tool to find recent real-estate prices in Greenpoint. Another helpful website mns.com has recent rent statistics.

Finally, a good way to save up is to explore the waterfront area. Developments there are eligible for a 25-year tax exemption if 20 percent of the on-site units are provided for low-income households or 25 percent of the on-site units are provided for low- and moderate households, New York City Greenpoint-Williamsburg inclusionary housing program reports.

Are you planning to launch a start-up in Greenpoint? Why do you think it’s the right/wrong time?

Huron Street, Greenpoint. Photo by Natalia V. Osipova

HED:

Being customer-friendly in a cool economy

eHED: Social media interaction and Customer loyalty in the financial crisis.