CONGENIAL Realtor Gina Molinet, of RM Farm Real Estate, reviews a document in her Livingston Manor office. Dawn Seeno, below, tends the grill at Cafe 43, her eatery in the hamlet. Both women feel supported by the Manor’s other businesswomen. Marge Feuerstein photos
Pioneering business women led the way
Feminization of downtown started in the ’80s
By Demi Budd | Manor Ink
Livingston Manor, NY – Last month’s article regarding women-owned businesses created a great deal of interest in our readers. With that in mind, Manor Ink felt it was only appropriate to speak with some of the first women who opened businesses in Livingston Manor that are still going strong. Female-owned businesses in the state number more than 725,000, according to the New York Small Business Development Center, and the hamlet seems to be a leader in this trend.
‘It can be done’
Dawn Seeno is the owner of Cafe 43. Some may know her as the previous owner of Moose Be Morning, the coffee shop that unfortunately was destroyed by a gas explosion a few years ago.
Despite this setback, Dawn continues to work hard here in the Manor. She has been working in restaurants since childhood and owned a pizza place in the ’80s in the same spot she is now. Although she had moved away from the Manor for a while, she happily returned and had no hesitation going into business as a woman.
“The other businesswomen are helpful and work very nicely together,” she said.
It isn’t just the businesswomen she feels work well together, but the entire community. After her previous establishment was destroyed, the whole community came together to help her rebuild her business. Dawn is incredibly grateful for this.
When asked if she had any advice for upcoming female business owners , she said, “Try it! It can be done. Don’t ever say you can’t do it – because you can.”
Feeling supported
Vivian Green Gleason, owner of Viv’s Cuts and Creations, has similar advice. “Just do it. When you do something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.”
Vivian, known as Viv, has been running her business on Main Street for 18 years now. She has been cutting hair since she was young and even cut her friends’ hair for free. After getting professional training, she worked for a beautician in Roscoe for five years. This inspired her to open her own at-home salon.
“Opening my own salon at home allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom and still pursue the career I loved,” she said.
A CUT ABOVE Viv Green, of Viv’s Cuts & Creations, styles a customer in her shop on upper Main Street.
Viv has lived in the Manor her entire life, and there was no doubt she would locate her salon here. She, too, feels the women are very supportive of one another.
Gender not a disadvantage
Gina Molinet of RM Farm Real Estate feels this way as well, but says it’s thanks to their like-mindedness. “There is a very congenial atmosphere here,” she explained.
Gina originally had a teaching job in the Hamptons, but due to high living expenses, took the plunge and bought a farm in the Manor. She was urged to get a real estate license, and she found a job in the business. Eventually, she bought the building on Main Street which now houses her own real estate business.
She has never felt being a woman in business is disadvantageous, but she said it affects her way of doing business. She follows the advice of law enforcement: always meet a potential client in the office, get to know them, and never meet a man alone in an empty house.
Gina believes the Manor is a good place to run a business. She is appreciative of how the community and organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and the Renaissance Committee have kept the town in great shape over the years.
Her advice to women looking to start a business is, “Be aware of what is going on in the community and support the people.”
These women, like the newer business owners, all love the Manor and feel the female support system shine through.
Women-owned Businesses in Livingston Manor*
Sole proprietorships
Jessica Amback, Beth’s Headquarters; Anna Bern, Nest; Maria Bivins, Life Repurposed; Ninze Chen-Benchev, Long Weekend; Claire Coleman, Plunk Shop; Carole Edwards, Carole Edwards Realty; Shirley Fulton, Wildlife Gift Shoppe; Vivian Green Gleason, Viv’s Cuts & Creations; Lisa Lyons, Morgan Outdoors; Ann Manby, Sugar Blossom Flowers; Meg McNeil, Upstream Wine & Spirits; Gina Molinet, RM Farm Real Estate; Jan Pekny, Robin Hood Diner; Dawn Seeno, Cafe 43; Luann Steele, Luann Steele Veterinarian; Sonal Trivedi, Manor Pharmacy; Carolyn Walton Brown, Willow & Brown
Partnerships
Kelly Buchta & Joe Fox, Dette Flies; Sarah & Errol Flynn, Brandenburg Bakery; Sarah & Kurt Madison, Madison’s; Jennifer & Ben Grossman, Smokehouse
*Tabulated by Manor Ink staff. If you know of other women-owned businesses in the hamlet’s business district, please let us know.