March 2010 Edition
It was during a recent coffee chat with local author and historian, Terri Gay, that I found myself inspired to be a part of March, 2010 and Women’s History Month. We are fortunate to be a part of a community that is so rich in history and so active about preserving and showcasing it, yet I realized how challenging it was to find information about the “fairer sex” that played important roles in our hometown.
For example, as a long time Saratoga County resident and , I had no idea that Susan B. Anthony was a resident of a neighboring county AND that her distant cousin, Sarah Anthony Burtis, was the very first woman to work in a retail establishment in the City of Saratoga Springs. As I poked around some more seeking notable women of history, I took the time to learn more about who Katrina Trask was and her powerful influence on the haven and popular tourist attraction of Yaddo Gardens.
Fast forward to the present, it was that few minutes with Terri, a softer spoken but powerful personality, that opened my eyes to the women in Saratoga making history and shaping the course of Saratoga Springs today. Our Chamber of Commerce, our Economic Development figure heads, our specialty retail store and boutique owners: dynamic women. Creative, passionate and progressive….its very exciting when you look at what is happening behind the scenes.
As career women and moms, we are busy than ever, managing more than anyone ever thought possible, facing struggles that our great-grandmothers would never have dreamed of yet day in and day out, it has been my honor to meet and work along side women who embrace the neighborhood we call home and possess the determination and power of Susan Anthony Burtis and Katrina Trask. It is with hope that I should have the privilege of looking up Women’s History, in 25 years, and see records and memories of the women I’ve come to know in this neighborhood over the past year.
Angela McFarland
Owner and Publisher
Featured Business: Free Yourself Concepts
Q. Describe your business and how you got started
Free Yourself Concepts is a full service Administrative and Organizational services company. Inspiration came from talking to friends, many of whom are solo entrepreneurs and consultants. They all complained that they spent so much time doing administrative and organizational work they didn’t have time to actually do their business. Seeing a need and an easy solution, therefore Free Yourself Concepts was formed. Giving you the Freedom to Focus on What You Do Best!
Q. Are you known for anything special?
My willingness to help, and efficiency
Q. What do you like most about your business?
I love what I do. Just to help small business owners be able to have the freedom to concentrate and grow their business is such a great feeling. My Client’s just know that they can pass off any task to me and know that it will be accomplished in a efficient timely manner. Its great to leave a client’s office and know that you have helped them with tasks that they feel are taking up their time when they could be focusing on developing their business.
Q. What do you feel is your biggest challenge with your business?
Trying to appeal to the “do it yourself” entrepreneurs. They are not used to asking for help and some people have a hard time with that. Therefore by time some people contact me they are beyond stressed out and overwhelmed.
Q. What do you want the community to know about you?
I try to support the local economy as much as possible. When I started Free Yourself Concepts last year I realized how hard small business owners work and I have a new found appreciation for their work and products.
Q. Anything Else?
I am constantly volunteering in my spare time. I am a Committee Chair for Rebuilding Together Saratoga County and I work with H.O.P.E. on various projects.
Ali R. Anechiarico
Free Yourself Concepts
73 Trottingham Road
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
518-538-5941
www.freeyourselfconcepts.com
info@freeyourselfconcepts.com
