Celebrating CTSBDC's Success Stories

Explore CTSBDC's impact on the small business economy. From Main Street to manufacturing, these are the stories of some of the small businesses our advisors help to start, grow, and thrive.

 

Michael Palladini standing next to a TapThat Vending machine

Tap That: Combining Coffee and Community

In 2024, despite a successful career in finance and years of service in the Army National Guard, Michael Palladini found himself searching for something more fulfilling. Like many before him, he found inspiration abroad. While visiting his grandfather in Italy, Michael noticed an entire country slow down to enjoy a good cup of coffee. “Why can’t we have that here?” Michael wondered. It was during another trip — this time to Austin, TX — he answered that question […]

Michael Palladini

Michael Palladini standing next to a TapThat Vending machine

Tap That: Combining Coffee and Community

In 2024, despite a successful career in finance and years of service in the Army National Guard, Michael Palladini found himself searching for something more fulfilling. Like many before him, he found inspiration abroad. While visiting his grandfather in Italy, Michael noticed an entire country slow down to enjoy a good cup of coffee. “Why can’t we have that here?” Michael wondered. It was during another trip — this time to Austin, TX — he answered that question […]

Michael Palladini

Milave founder Ivanny Soto in front of a promotional banner

Milave: A Family ‘Recipe’ Becomes a Successful Business

Many women struggle with hair loss, few turn that problem into a thriving business—but that’s exactly what Ivanny Soto did. More than a decade ago, her mother started to experience significant hair loss related to a health condition, and Ivanny recognized the potential in the homemade hair mask her mother created. “She combined natural ingredients… […]

Ivanny Soto

Milave founder Ivanny Soto in front of a promotional banner

Milave: A Family ‘Recipe’ Becomes a Successful Business

Many women struggle with hair loss, few turn that problem into a thriving business—but that’s exactly what Ivanny Soto did. More than a decade ago, her mother started to experience significant hair loss related to a health condition, and Ivanny recognized the potential in the homemade hair mask her mother created. “She combined natural ingredients… […]

Ivanny Soto

A group of people gathered for the ribbon-cutting at Cucina Daniella

Cucina Daniella: From the Farmers’ Market to Main Street

For many, food is synonymous with comfort, and that includes Daniella Brooks, owner of Dani’s Pantry LLC and founder of Cucina Daniella. “I grew up in an Italian family where sharing food was a form of love,” she said. After growing up surrounded by the warmth of Italian cooking, she found she wanted to turn […]

Daniella Brooks

A group of people gathered for the ribbon-cutting at Cucina Daniella

Cucina Daniella: From the Farmers’ Market to Main Street

For many, food is synonymous with comfort, and that includes Daniella Brooks, owner of Dani’s Pantry LLC and founder of Cucina Daniella. “I grew up in an Italian family where sharing food was a form of love,” she said. After growing up surrounded by the warmth of Italian cooking, she found she wanted to turn […]

Daniella Brooks