In a world with Internet connectivity more and more people work alone at home.  While that work style suits some people, others miss the camaraderie and interaction they had in a physical office.  In Ithaca these people have an option to work alone, but with other people at Studio West.  Owner Greg Kops calls Studio West a coworking community that he says provides resources to people who want to be part of a community of self-directed creative entrepreneurs and freelancers."

"The idea of calling it a studio came from my experience having worked in an office," he says.  "I worked in a business that ended up in the Bank of America building.  The office we were in was very cubicalized and compartmentalized.  I felt that killed the culture of the company.  I ended up leaving, not primarily because of that, but in part because of that.  I did not like the idea of everyone off in their own little office with doors that could be shut.  It really changed the way that we all related to each other."

There's a new health club in Lansing, and it has hit the ground running.  Lake Shore Fitness Center is located in the Lansing Community Recreational Center (LCRC -- better known as "The Rink/The Field") on the balcony overlooking the two soccer fields.  The 4200 square foot space features "Cardio Theater,"  a row of flat screen TVs that members can watch while exercising, a large free weight area, and classes that include aerobic, Hip-Hop and Step, cycling, and Pilates sessions.

"I use a different approach because of my nursing background," says Director Frank Willis.  "It's more prevention and therapeutic.  It's being real, being honest and letting people know we're here for them.  It's a life style.  Changing habits.  Getting active and watching what you eat.  You can read all the books you want and watch all the TV programs you want, but the bottom line is you have to get active and watch what you eat.  It's that simple."

Laura Capparelli wants business owners to know that ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is in the Ithaca area, and it's about more than payroll.  Capparelli is an Associate District Manager specializing in small business.  While she is based in Syracuse, she spends four or five days a week here, meeting with clients and talking to potential new ones.  Her biggest hurdle is making it known that the company offers its services here, and that ADP is not just about outsourcing payroll.

"Many think that we just do payroll," she says. "20% of our business is payroll.  We handle the whole life cycle of an employee and help businesses grow.  I handle small business risk management, employee engagement, cash flow.  We help with those three aspects."

Dentistry without pain or stress doesn't fit the stereotype.  But that is exactly what the people at Advanced Dental Technology of Ithaca II, PLLC work to provide.  They do it with a combination of modern technology, matching the best treatments to individual patients, and a down to earth attitude that patients can relate to.

"I have great staff," says Dentist Marcia Zax.  "They are very, very knowledgeable, very personable.  I think the thing that sets us apart from most medical and dental offices is that we're very down to earth.  When you come in you can talk to the staff.  There's no small glass window where you present yourself and then have to sit down.  People are nervous enough when they come to the dentist.  I think it makes a huge difference that you can feel at home here.  People tell us all the time that they come here because they laugh and they feel comfortable."

Most people don't talk about electrolysis.  After all usually they seek it out because they are embarrassed about unwanted hair.  They want a discreet, calming place to take care of it.  That is what Jill Bush provides at AfterImage Electrolysis located in the Invigorations Massage and Wellness Center in Cortland.

"It doesn't sound very exciting, but it really is," she says.  "I've been through it and it really does so much for your self esteem and confidence.  Particularly for women, it's empowering."

Al Myers State FarmWhen you walk into an insurance office you hope that there will be somebody there who will explain your options in language you can understand.  That means people you know, or would like to know, who not only can answer your questions, but will take the time to do so.  "It's about helping people," says State Farm agent Al Myers.  "That may sound corny but that's what the role really is."

Myers likes to blend personal service with being part of his community and its history.  In fact, his building was the first fire hall in Cortland, and the city's first town hall was on its third floor.  Ceilings for the second and third floors were supported by ropes and cables for the horses that pulled the old fire equipment.  "They could raise or lower those to accommodate whatever, so when the fire happened it was no longer an option," Myers says.  The building burned in the 1990s.  "The first floor here was totally redone and I think most people think it's a beautiful office place.  On the second and third floors there is nothing in them yet because they wanted to focus on the first floor which was dealing with the public."

People who are good at business are, in many cases, not great writers.  Yet businesses relies on good writing to portray them as professional, viable, and legitimate.  Shannon Myers plans to tap that market by offering editing and writing services to local area business people.  She will even help them improve their business writing.  "Part of my service is offering guidance throughout the process," she says.  "It is designed to be comprehensive if they want to know what I've done and why.  Or if they just want me to do the job I do that."

Myers has been writing for publication and professionally for about twenty years.  She works for the Cortland Area Tribune for about five years, writing over 55 business profiles, copy editing, selling advertising, and working on layout.  She is also a contributor to Tompkins Weekly.  She has dreamed of starting her own business so she can work from home, and decided a year ago to build a business and offer her experience to businesses that need it.

You probably don't think too much about bottles when you buy your laundry detergent, but that is about all they think about at the ALPLA plant in Cortland.  Housed in part of what used to be the Rubermaid factory, the plant primarily makes laundry detergent bottles, though it is not limited to that.  They make bottles for many for brands you would recognize like Fab, Final Touch, and Dynamo, Nivea, and Sunlight Dish Detergent, among others.

"We're a people-friendly company," says Operations Manager Bill Bowering.  "We do lean manufacturing, so it's a lot of work.  Nobody's sitting around here with nothing to do, but our employees are treated very fairly.  It's a really good company to work for."

Andrew Silbiger was a consultant for a downtown Boston company.  He was allotted $25 for meals when he worked late, which was often.  But by the time he was done paying charges, delivery fees, and built in tips there wasn't much left for the food.  Chatting with his friend Peter Burton about the problem they decided there was the spark of a business idea there, and America To Go was born.

"America To Go is a Web-based food ordering and accounting solution," explains Vice President for Business Development Audrey Emmer.  "You don't think technology goes with the food industry -- they're very different.  But in fact they go very nicely together."

Some families share special holiday traditions, some share favorite foods and recipes, while others treasure family stories. For Amy Lin and her family, preparing and selling Taiwanese foods at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market is a family tradition that’s threaded through the generations.

Since its creation in 1973, the Ithaca Farmers’ Market has showcased the cultural diversity and talents of local people throughout the area. Currently located at Steamboat Landing on the scenic waterfront of Cayuga Lake on Saturdays, and in downtown Ithaca on Tuesdays, the Farmers’ Market is a cooperative venture of about 150 vendors who live within 30 miles of Ithaca. Visitors can buy a variety of locally grown fruits, vegetables and flowers, homemade baked goods, wines and ethnic foods as well as handcrafted items.

Ancient Wisdom ProductionsAs you walk into the ample third floor office suite you immediately feel the energy. The atmosphere is professional, yet casual -- serious about the work in a casual environment. The sun comes through large windows into an attractive work space with green plants and pictures on the walls. Work stations are placed at the perimeter and design work is being done at two of them. Frog figures are found everywhere, echoing the red frog company logo.  This is the home of Ancient Wisdom, a communications company that specializes in Web site design.

While specializing in Web site design, the company has evolved into a marketing firm that builds a corporate identity for it's clients using whatever medium is appropriate. "The thing that unifies all of these technologies that we're working with is the sense and the business of marketing and helping our clients form a strong brand and identity," says the company's founder and President Christopher DelCollo.

Anticipation AntiquesSome people are looking for a bit of history.  Others want a piece to match something they already have.  "The average person who collects antiques or thinks about it does two things," says Bud Shattuck.  "One is that it is important for them to know value, to know how this fits in with what they have.  And it is also important for them to collect things that they remember."

Shattuck and his wife Gina opened Anticipation Antiques in a small Lansing shop a year ago.  Both have full time jobs, Gina at BOCES and Bud for the county in the Workforce Development.  On top of that Bud serves as Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Lansing.  The couple opened the shop planning for an eventual retirement business.  "Both of us have been collectors off and on," Shattuck says.  Certainly I started as a child with baseball cards and did that right up to the '80's at a pretty high level selling a very large collection."