Why I stayed and created my own job in Utica!
Over the years Utica, NY has not always had the best reputation, but this small city in Upstate New York along the I-90 thruway is the place I love and call home. I love this city and that is why I started my Nutrition Counseling practice to serve my local community. I am a dietitian who accepts health insurance and it is my goal to accept as many insurance policies as possible. You might ask, why? I believe increasing access to excellent preventative healthcare will help serve the local community of Utica, Herkimer, Ilion, Clinton, Syracuse, and even as far as the Albany, NY areas! Yes, I care about people in Central New York and creating affordable healthcare that will keep them out of the hospital because they are preventing disease by following the correct individualized, research based, medical nutrition therapy.
I was kind of born into private practice
Private practice and running a small business is somehow in my blood, and I didn’t even connect the dots until recently. You see, my Dad was an attorney who had his own private practice law firm located in the 258 Building on Genesee Street in Utica and the day I was born they were moving his office furniture into the building. Today my own private practice is located at 2615 Genesee Street in the heart of South Utica and every day on my way home from work I drive by the 258 building and remember fondly the times going through the fun spinning doors and up the cool elevator to visit him at his office. I also have distinct memories of his secretary taking me to get chicken nuggets for the first time (strange how memorable this was 😂). Let’s just say Genesee Street in Utica, NY has been a big part of my life so far and I’m happy to see my clients here today.
The City that Loves Refugees (and Italian immigrants too!)
So many of my best friends moved to Utica, NY as refugees from other countries where they waited to come to America in refugee camps. This has been such a blessing to me personally as I have been truly blessed by these people in so many ways. I love the cultural diversity of Utica, NY and I truly cherish hearing about the life experiences of people who are not too different from myself. My family immigrated to Frankfort, NY from Sicily many years ago and some of them actually came through Ellis Island in New York which is pretty wild. My grandpa used to say they were getting away from the Mafia and I always thought he was kidding, but maybe he wasn’t! The other side of my family came to America as poor Irish farmers fleeing from the potato famine. Let’s just say that it is not always the easiest life situations that lead people to the USA, but it is what we do with the freedoms we now have here that truly matters. I know my ancestors would be so proud that the sacrifices they made to come to a scary new country where they did not know the language has allowed me to have the freedom to start my own business as a female entrepreneur and see it grow right here in Upstate, NY.
Italian Roots and Italian Food
Like I said I am a solid ¼ Sicilian and this means a few things: #1) I always get my eyebrows waxed every two week and #2) I love pasta! Yes, I am a dietitian with a family history of diabetes/high cholesterol and I still eat pasta, BUT I know my carb counts and saturated fat limits and stick to them…most of the time! I also enjoy eating out at places like Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse, Babes, Maria’s Pasta Shop, It’s a Utica Thing, Chesterfields, Danielle’s, Bella Regina, Ancora!, Georgio’s Village Cafe (great Caesar Salad…just saying), and so many more! I have just learned some tricks and tips to not get diabetes and not eat out too often to negatively impact my health. I will share all of my tips with you in our appointments, so if you are Italian and have Diabetes I’m sure we would get along really well. I will teach you how to eat out right and manage your blood sugar.
And honestly that is only ONE of the amazing cultural foods you will find in Utica! You could go to an amazing Bosnian restaurant Yummilicious Cafe & Bakery or get incredible Mediterranean food at: Symeon’s Greek Restaurant, Lafa (FYI the kids plate is portioned so well), or even The Grapevine (love the chicken tauk). Then we also have as many: Dominican restaurants (Joel’s is so good), Lebanese, Indian, you want it, we have it in Utica! We are one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US. The trick is to portion well and not eat out too frequently. Use mindful eating techniques to slow down, enjoy the moment and the food and take leftovers home for lunch the next day.
A Great Place to Operate a Small Business
Can I just say that I never knew what an amazing community existed in Utica for female entrepreneurs?! It’s incredible the support I have received since I decided to start my practice in 2019 from local places like:
- MVCC’s ThINCubator: Offers a FREE program and FREE business coaching which still continue to this day. They taught me the importance of creating a 10 star experience for my clients and I am so thankful for their support and guidance. Stacey, my business mentor while I was there even helped guide me to selecting the name of my business: Bloom Nutrition Solutions and it was a great choice!
- Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC): When I am not sure what to do next in my business or I am feeling stuck I always call up my local SBA and they are always there to provide incredible support and guidance all at no cost to me. Thank you SBA for all you do!
- The Genesis Group in Utica NY is a civic organization that unites Business and Community Leaders working to advance regional economic, social and cultural interests. Last year I applied for a grant to have a new website built (I made my first one by myself)! And to my surprise they said yes and fully funded the beautiful new website I now have. I can’t thank them enough!
- Other local business owners. From talking to business people at my local church to meeting people at networking events the community support of business owners is felt in Utica, NY! Other business owners genuinely take pride in doing business in our city and they also want to see others succeed.
Family, Friends, and Church
Another big reason I wanted to stay in Utica, NY is to be close to friends, family, and my local Redeemer Church on Herkimer Road in Utica. I am lucky enough to have several local friends that I have been close with since I was a baby, which in this culture is unheard of. I have also been a member at my church since I was 18 years old. There is a lot to be said for having roots and establishing yourself in an area to serve them and work for the growth and benefit of your city. I think that is a lot of what Utica has become, a place where entrepreneurs are able to create culture instead of criticizing it. Over the years I have seen so much change and growth in Utica from most recently watching the artist paint a beautiful new Mural in LIberty Bell Park to the incredible renovations and revamping of our downtown area. Most of the rejuvenation of our city is a result of local creative business owners who felt like they could take a financial risk in Utica and I’m sure they are not disappointed!
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Hello Alex. Thank you for sharing your story. Namaste. I look forward to working with you and being accountable to myself as well as you. I appreciate your good heart for having a real desire to help people in the realm of nutrition. My health is my wealth, and I certainly want to tap, if not, drill into that. I am excited to begin this journey with you. Again, I thank you.