Jesse Singh
Chief Executive Officer of Maadho
The son of emigrants from India, Jesse Singh was born and raised in Mount Kisco. It was there that he got his first lessons in business, watching his dad run a local gas station. “I was exposed to the business at a very young age, which allowed me to learn the basics of entrepreneurship,” he says.
After college, Singh landed a job as an investment banker at JPMorgan. For his day-to-day, he covered diversified industries, mostly a combination of manufacturing and logistic companies. Through his research, he began to see inefficiencies and holes in the market — holes that he knew how to fill.
In 2018, he founded Maadho to cater to organizations with diversified supply chain needs in the health care, retail, and service sectors. Think surgical gloves, recyclable food containers, boxes, and more—all custom designed and produced to meet each company’s individual needs.
Singh says past experience led him to develop a more efficient and price-effective way of doing business, which companies took notice of. Locally, Maadho’s work can be seen at several ShopRite locations with patent-pending meal and food packaging. Nationally, Quest Diagnostics calls on the company for specimen collection containers.
“We provide a custom and tailored approach to the typical supply chain,” Singh says. “Our process allows us to consistently support our customer from the manufacturing origin through to consumption.” This unique approach landed Maadho as No. 814 on the Inc. Magazine 5000 list, an annual ranking of the fastest growing private companies in the United States.
For Singh, having the right customer is an important part of his success. “We’re not a company that sells thousands of types of products to thousands of companies,” he says. “We aim to provide a tailored approach to a handful of companies.” And that statement isn’t just lip service from Singh. Maadho, which translates to “greatness” in Gurmukhi, a script used by Sikhs, currently works with 20 to 40 customers and is looking to add just 20 to 30 more as they grow. —JBG
Patrick Mata
Owner & Co-Founder of Olé & Obrigado
At just 19 years old, Patrick Mata, then a student at St. Thomas University in Miami, FL, embarked on an ambitious journey to share his passion for wine with the world. Today, the Larchmont resident boasts an impressive list of prestigious wine accolades, including being named both a Wine Enthusiast and Food & Wine Magazine Tastemaker, Wine & Spirits Importer of the Year, as well as a Wine Advocate Personality of the Year.
In 1999, Mata co-founded Olé Imports with his friend and fellow wine enthusiast, Alberto Orte. The company’s inaugural offerings were three wines from Orte’s family estate in Montilla, Andalucía. The company focused on Spanish wines until 2018, when they purchased Obrigado Vinhos and the company’s collection of outstanding Portuguese wines.
Today, Olé & Obrigado, based in New Rochelle, has grown into a leading U.S. importer of premium Spanish and Portuguese wines and spirits, representing more than 60 producers and importing 200,000 cases of wine annually to wine shops and fine-dining establishments.
Olé & Obrigado prioritizes quality, sustainability, and authenticity, working with artisanal wineries that embody the unique terroir and cultural heritage of each region. “The wines need to communicate a sense of place,” Mata says.
Beyond business success, Olé & Obrigado is driven by a strong sense of social responsibility. Their ethos, “wine and spirits with heart and soul,” speaks to the company’s philanthropic efforts.
“In 2014, we created the Liquid Geography brand,” Mata says. “It was not only an economic endeavor, but a way we could leave something behind. It is extremely important for us to measure our success by how much we give back to our community.”
Through the sales of the Liquid Geography collection of rosé wines, the company has donated more than $1 million to charitable causes, including cancer research, disability support via Wine on Wheels, and hunger relief with World Central Kitchen. In 2022, Olé & Obrigado became one of the first importers in the U.S. to achieve carbon-neutral certification.
“It was just another way to give back, this time, to the environment,” Mata says. —KS
Daniel Sabia
Creative Director & Founder of Wood Fire Food
A Wood Fire Food dinner is a multisensory experience. The warmth of the fire, the tantalizing aroma of smoke-kissed dishes, and the skillful choreography of the kitchen staff create an atmosphere of anticipation. Then, Chef Dan Sabia steps forward, masterfully connecting you to the local purveyors, the intricacies of open-fire cooking, and the community at your table—a truly transformative journey.
Since the company’s launch in 2018, when the first grill was just six cinder blocks and a metal metro shelf, Sabia has continued to evolve, building more intricate pop-up kitchens and sourcing local ingredients for menus in New England and beyond. In 2024, the team hosted events in West Virginia, Virginia, Utah, and Florida. This year, they have backyard events booked in California, Wyoming, Montana, and Mexico.
Sabia sharpened his culinary skills under the tutelage of such renowned chefs as Michelin-starred Jean-Georges Vongerichten and James Beard Award-winner Michael White. These experiences cultivated a deep appreciation for local ingredients and a desire to connect diners with the producers. But it was during his 6-year tenure at the Bedford Post Inn that Sabia’s curiosity for outdoor cooking ignited, particularly when working in the hotel’s expansive outdoor kitchen.
“I realized that I don’t like the disconnect of being in the kitchen and separated from the people in the dining room,” Sabia says.
Driven by this passion, Sabia envisioned a unique dining experience that transcends the traditional restaurant setting. By collaborating with local farmers and purveyors, he aimed to create an immersive culinary journey to connect diners with the source of their food. This vision involved moving the dining experience out of the confines of a restaurant and into nature, allowing guests to witness and participate in the ancient art of open-fire cooking. “Everything is inspired by community, quality, and fire,” Sabia said.
The concept has caught on. Wood Fire Food’s catering division has experienced an average annual profit increase of 18% since its inception, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, with last year generating roughly $1.2 million in sales. Those figures don’t include sales from the company’s product line—a collection of smoked olives, salts, and other gourmet goodies sold online and in local markets.
In line with his environmental ethos, Sabia donates a tree to One Tree Planted’s reforestation project in Appalachia for every guest attending his events. Clients receive a certificate detailing the location of their planted tree, inviting them to visit the site. Since starting the effort, Wood Fire Food has contributed more than 4,000 trees. —KS
Joe Meyer
President & CEO of Execthread
ExecThread is a groundbreaking online marketplace revolutionizing how professionals access the “hidden job market” for C-suite and board-level roles. Launched in 2014 by CEO Joe Meyer, the platform leverages a peer-to-peer job-sharing network where more than 850,000 of the world’s top professionals contribute and discover confidential executive-level career opportunities.
What’s worth noting is that 50% of ExecThread’s community is comprised of underrepresented groups, underscoring its commitment to democratizing access to leadership roles. By enhancing transparency at scale, ExecThread shows that the most coveted career opportunities are accessible to candidates of all backgrounds, reshaping the landscape of executive hiring.
Founded by the serial entrepreneur and “entrepreneurial operator” Meyer, ExecThread came from humble beginnings—a couch in a garage and a vision to disrupt traditional executive search processes. Meyer’s experience in launching and scaling startups, including stints at eBay (IPO) and two notable acquisitions by AOL and Apple, provided the foundation for building his platform. By 2015, ExecThread had secured outside venture capital, propelling it toward becoming a trusted resource for nearly a million professionals.
The past decade has shown that ExecThread stands out not only for its extensive network but also for its mission to create equity in hiring. As Meyer puts it, “We enable nearly a million professionals to tap into ‘the hidden job market’—a market that was previously inaccessible and impenetrable.” This innovative model connects candidates with career opportunities that might otherwise remain undisclosed, fostering diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of leadership.
Meyer’s leadership embodies versatility and creativity. “I wear many hats and [I] am a ‘jack of all trades,’ which is what makes [running ExecThread] so much fun,” he says of steering a nimble, scrappy company. The company’s growth reflects his dedication to turning “lightbulb moments” into a scalable, impactful business.
Today, ExecThread is a vital tool for career advancement, transforming how executives and organizations connect, while breaking barriers to entry in the world’s most influential roles. —FK
Jessica Lindsay & Meredith Heller
Co-Founders of Prospect Events
Whether you need to transform a yacht on the French Riviera into a custom meeting space to showcase your brand’s Cannes Lions activation, or you want a teambuilding experience to conclude with a night of stargazing with an astronomer in the red rocks of Arizona, or if you just need to throw a damn good party, the team behind Prospect Events has your back.
The women-founded full-service event design, planning and production firm has exploded in popularity since its inception in 2019. And that’s no surprise with co-founders Jessica Lindsay and Meredith Heller at the helm. Together, the team has planned more than 1,000 in person and virtual events, working in more than 35 countries.
Their skill at creating buzz and making a brand stand out is why their client roster is filled with big names like Pinterest, Deloitte, Experian, Stonepeak, and Airbnb—just to name a few.
With offices in White Plains and Los Angeles, they’re easily positioned to curate elaborate executive offsite events and VIP retreats, offer support for annual conventions like the Consumer Electronics Show, or snag a Grammy-winning artist to wow your clients.
Their rapid growth and stellar reputation landed them the 146th spot in 2024 on the Inc. Magazine 5000, which also came with the designation of being the top ranked planning and production company on the list.
With end-to-end service, Prospect Events’ team aims to seamlessly execute their clients’ dreams — even if they don’t know what they are just yet—while remaining cost-conscious. And while their client roster is impressive, making it onto their roster isn’t a given. Since the founders are involved with each project, they can be selective about the projects they take on, ensuring the partnership is the right fit for them, as much as it is for the client. —JBG
Leslie Fields-Cruz
Executive Director of Black Public Media
Former President of New York Women in Film & Television
Artistic Director and Board Member for New Era Creative Space
Leslie Fields-Cruz wears many hats, and that’s just the way she likes it. “Many of them are attached to the things that I hold dear,” she says. “Representation is very important to me.”
Today, when people turn on their screens, they see a nice mix of representation, says Fields-Cruz, but that wasn’t the case when she first started in the industry some 30 years ago. The work she has accomplished with Black Public Media, New Era Creative Space and other organizations has advanced the storytelling of underrepresented groups and brought their voices to the mainstream. “I want people to say, ‘I didn’t know about that, let me go find out more,’” she says.
Fields-Cruz was drawn to performance and storytelling as an art form at an early age. “I loved watching television and movies, much to my mother’s dismay,” Fields-Cruz says. She eventually parlayed that love into a career after enrolling at New York University’s Cinema Studies Program, which opened a whole new world to her. At one point, she was an aspiring actor, but she joked that she wanted a roof over her head, so she worked behind the scenes as a theater director in the ’90s.
It was a good fit, and she was drawn to the collaborative nature of the arts. “Theater is an ensemble,” she explains. “The director often has a bigger vision, but you need all of the players in the right place to make the story happen.”
And having the right players in the right place is something that Fields-Cruz leans into when it comes to managing others. “I lead from behind,” she says. “I like to find smart people who know more things than I do. As a leader, I know I can’t do it all myself, I need a team to meet the mission.”
Born in Brooklyn, raised in southern California, Fields-Cruz has been in Westchester for more than 20 years, currently residing in Cortlandt Manor. —JBG
Steven Spitz
President & CEO of Core4Capital Corp.
Core4Capital Corp. (C4C) is a capital investment firm with a reputation for transforming the commercial real estate landscape in Westchester County and beyond. The firm manages a diverse portfolio, including rare art collections and more than 650,000 square feet of commercial and mixed-use properties in NYC and Westchester. Its primary focus lies in acquiring and modernizing professional and medical office buildings, which most new tenants seek in today’s market.
C4C’s approach is rooted in the belief that physical workspaces are integral to collaboration, culture, and client interaction. Westchester’s combination of proximity to NYC, scenic shorelines, and vibrant attractions makes it a prime location for their real estate investments. The firm capitalizes on emerging opportunities as aging properties are repurposed or replaced with modern facilities that meet contemporary tenant demands for smaller spaces, flexible layouts, and upgraded amenities.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Steven Spitz, who calls himself a “rookie” compared to some of his colleagues who have worked for more than 10 years at the company, C4C has honed its strategy to deliver top-tier work environments.
Their properties feature updated lobbies, well-appointed bathrooms, manicured landscaping, and state-of-the-art fitness centers. “Our workspaces are where you want to be, not where you have to be,” Spitz says.
By integrating rare art installations, they create workspaces that inspire and delight. Guided by their optimistic motto, “Onward & Upward,” C4C is committed to fostering a positive, forward-thinking ethos.
Spitz’ experience comes from a successful tenure at Cityside Archive s, Ltd., a document management company sold to private equity in 2018. This legacy of innovation, he says, is the engine for C4C’s continued success in Westchester. Before his career in management, Spitz worked in outerwear manufacturing and uniform rental at Cintas and Aramark.
When he’s not moving and shaking to revitalize Westchester’s real estate, Spitz enjoys playing tennis, boating, and indulging in a bit of “island time,” proof that even the busiest leaders know how and when to recharge. —FK
Bo DiBuono
Owner of Manor Sangria
If you’ve ever visited a farmers market in Westchester, you’ve probably run into Bo DiBuono and his Manor Sangria. The Larchmont native, with his iconic fedora hat and farmhousechic display, is a staple at the area’s top markets—lines at his booth wrap around the other vendors and his products often sell out. While the brand has a smallbatch feel, DiBuono’s passion has turned it into a million-dollar business.
Though Manor Sangria debuted at Muscoot Farm in Katonah in May 2021, DiBuono’s sangria-making roots trace back to his days running a tiki bar at Larchmont’s Manor Beach. Guests continually requested the alcoholic beverage, and it took DiBuono a decade of experimentation to perfect his recipe. With a lifelong fruit allergy—DiBuono has never tasted his sangria—he relied on taste-testers to help refine his blends.
Although he continually joked with beachgoers about bringing the sangria to market, it took DiBuono another 10 years (and a pandemic) to obtain a license to manufacture sangria. “I honestly didn’t know anything,” DiBuono says. “It took a lot of research and a lot of time, but before you know it, I was selling out at every market.”
The Manor Sangria line has expanded to eight diverse blends in the past four years. While varieties like the classic and mango habanero are available year-round, seasonal favorites, such as the summer blend with fresh peaches, and a holiday blend with fresh cranberry and cinnamon, have quickly become favorites. The newest addition, the mermaid blend with fresh coconut and strawberry was “the best-selling surprise of 2024.”
To date, DiBuono reports rapid growth, with annual sales exceeding $1 million since the company’s debut. To keep up with demand, DiBuono recently purchased a horse farm in Brewster, which he transformed into a state-of-the-art production facility. While he plans to automate certain processes, he remains committed to maintaining the small-batch, handcrafted nature of his product.
While farmers markets remain the core distribution channel, Manor Sangria is also sold online, shipping to 13 states, and is available in brick-and-mortar locations, including New Rochelle’s Wine Bazaar, and Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem. —KS
Peter Ciszewski
Publisher of CheckRare
Aveteran of health care media, Peter Ciszewski has carved a niche elevating issues, such as rare diseases and oncology, throughout his career. Today, he’s channeled his passions and decades of experience into an exciting new venture. Enter CheckRare, a digital platform and educational resource for patients, caregivers, and health care professionals to get the latest information on rare cancers and diseases.
Because they impact fewer people—about 30 million Americans—these types of diseases and disorders are often misdiagnosed, mistreated, and under researched, creating a complex road for patients and health care professionals to navigate. And more often than not, it becomes the job of the caregiver or patient to advocate for themselves, which can be frustrating and overwhelming for anyone who is suffering from a rare or undiagnosed condition.
CheckRare hopes to change that by providing an all-inclusive, peer-to-peer resource that brings together the latest on current and emerging therapies, clinical trials, and the biopharma companies behind them. Visitors to the site can easily see the latest information on a number of specific conditions, from diagnosing and treating rare diseases to emerging research, details on clinical trials, updated care guidelines, and more. The website also offers free, prerecorded courses led by medical researchers and professionals that provide a concise but easy-to-digest overview on a variety of topics, including Cushing’s Syndrome, Hereditary Angioedema, and others. Podcast episodes on similar topics appeal to those who want to learn while on the go.
Though CheckRare has a respectable team, Ciszewski has personally interviewed hundreds of health care professionals, industry leaders, and patient advocates. His goal is to raise awareness of rare diseases and improve patient outcomes while highlighting the challenges and opportunities of the rare disease and oncology markets. —JBG
Simone Joyce
Founder & CEO of Paypa Plane
Paypa Plane is a financial company that revolutionizes how banks and enterprises connect with their business banking customers through its proprietary Smart Payment Agreement technology. These agreements ensure payments—regardless of the method—are safer, more transparent, reliable, and fair. From local vendors to global insurance conglomerates, Paypa Plane enhances trust and efficiency in every exchange of value.
A member of the Fall 2023 cohort of the Element 46 Westchester Accelerator, Paypa Plane has scaled up rapidly in the past year, seeing expansion and scaling globally, based in Mamaroneck with a second office in Brisbane, Australia.
At the helm of Paypa Plane is Simone Joyce, CEO and co-founder, whose deep expertise in payments and fintech has made her a prominent voice in the industry. As chair of FinTech Australia and a member of multiple regulatory advisory boards, Simone is a leading advocate for real-time, account-to-account payment innovation and its benefits for banks, businesses, and consumers.Simone’s passion for refining the financial ecosystem complements her approach to handling banking infrastructure with meticulous care. Just as a chef would source ingredients from local, home-grown farms for recipes, Simone and her team take an incredibly granular approach to financial services, ensuring that their clients receive and send payments safely and effectively.
Paypa Plane’s technology works to make sure payers and payees can track their agreements in real-time, using an “event-based” software that allows users to see live updates on every deal from start to finish. At a time when payments and financial transactions have felt increasingly unstable, Joyce’s company is improving the efficacy of finances one distribution at a time.
—FK
Nicola and James Stephenson
Founders of Ohho
When Nicola Stephenson faced a cancer diagnosis in 2016, it was a life-altering event that would profoundly impact her family. Her husband, James, took on the role of caregiver, balancing the demands of parenting their two young sons with the challenges of supporting his wife. As he sought ways to manage his own stress and anxiety, James discovered the potential of CBD.
Inspired by the positive impact of CBD on their lives, the Stephensons embarked on a mission to create accessible and effective cannabis products. In 2019, while living in New York City, they began developing a line of products with a wholesale business model in mind. The pandemic accelerated their plans, prompting them to relocate their family and business to their Bedford weekend home, where oHHo quickly gained momentum in the retail space.
The couple’s journey began with a product addressing a universal issue: sleep deprivation. Their Rest Oil tincture, a bestseller to this day, set the stage for their brand’s focus on wellness and approachability. Leveraging their personal investment and a seed round of venture capital funding, oHHo has achieved remarkable success, generating $4.5 million in sales last year.
One of the key factors behind oHHo’s success is its distinctive approach. While many cannabis brands cater to a specific demographic, oHHo focuses on a broader audience by offering transparent, low-dose products with a focus on taste and experience.
“We are very focused on experience, where many are focused on the effect only,” Nicola says. “We want our products to taste better and to smell better. It’s been slightly harder to achieve, but it has all been worth it.”
Their THC Seltzers, for instance, have revolutionized the industry by providing a refreshing and enjoyable alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages.
“The balance of flavors and low dosing profile creates a product that is perfect for those who don’t want to drink, but do want to be part of the party,” Nicola says. “Plus, there is no hangover. We started carrying it last April and now we can’t keep it in stock.”
The couple’s vision for oHHo extends beyond product innovation, aiming to create a brand that fosters a sense of community and well-being in their four shops (Bedford is the flagship), as well as what’s to come (a pop-up shop recently launched in West Palm Beach, Florida).
By prioritizing quality, transparency, and a customer-centric approach, oHHo is poised to continue its upward trajectory and shape the future of the cannabis industry. — KS
Alicia Grande
CEO & Founder of Grande Cosmetics
Leaving an influencer beauty event in Norway last year, Alicia Grande found herself on a street lined with four of the country’s most prestigious beauty stores, each one stocking her products. It was a reminder of just how far she had come since 2009, when she was walking up and down Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains selling her lash-enhancing serum, GrandeLASH-MD, to local salons and spas.
After gaining experience in marketing at NAC Marketing (Floral Park) and BeeAlive (Congers), Grande was offered a radio show on WVOX in New Rochelle. It was during her Tuesday morning show, “The Health Buzz,” that she interviewed a chemist who had developed a lash-enhancing serum.
“I had just had my son,” Grande says. “Many people don’t know postpartum lash loss is a thing. I had short, brittle lashes. This product was transformational. When I started hearing all this positive feedback from family and friends, I knew I was on to something.”
Grande Cosmetics made its trade show debut in 2009 at the International Esthetics, Cosmetics and Spa Conference at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC. Grande quickly sold out her products, taking home $8,000 in sales.
In the early years, Grande primarily focused on the business-to-business space, selling to professionals and directly to consumers until 2016, when she was scouted by Sephora for her GrandeLips Hydrating Lip Plumper. “I asked them to also take on GrandeLash-MD as well,” Grande says. “When it quickly sold out online, they fast-tracked it to stores.
The visionary founder of Grande Cosmetics transformed the beauty industry with her innovative products, entrepreneurial spirit, and “level of grit.” Grande Cosmetics has blossomed into a global empire with GrandeLash-MD, the brand’s flagship product, still a bestseller.
Today, Grande Cosmetics is a leading beauty brand sold in 67 countries. The company’s products are available at major retailers, such as Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. Grande Cosmetics has also made significant strides in the television shopping industry, appearing on multiple QVC channels in the U.S. and the U.K.
In 2023, Grande Cosmetics achieved a major milestone, surpassing $100 million in sales.
“I am still so grateful to the spas and salon owners in Westchester County who gave me a chance,” Grande says. “They really gave me a start.”
While Grande recognizes the impact her beauty products have on women’s confidence, she is ready to do more. With her philanthropic initiative, Grande Gives Back, she raised over $250,000 for Feeding America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Grande Gives Back also supports Dress for Success, Working for Women, cancer research, and Katz Institute for Women’s Health. “I am hyper vigilant to make this world a better place for women,” Grande says. —KS
Anthony Fico and Michael Bilt
Co-Founders of Atlas Adjustments
Atlas Adjustments, co-founded by Anthony Fico and Michael Bilt nearly a decade ago, began in a single-room office with a single desk and a shared mission: to help people failed by their insurance companies. Born and raised in Westchester County, Anthony and Michael saw how families and businesses were often left struggling after such disasters as fires, floods, or lightning strikes. Hoping to make a difference, they formed Atlas Adjustments to ensure homeowners and business owners receive the fair payouts they deserve.
Specializing in navigating the complex claims process, Atlas Adjustments has successfully assisted thousands of clients over the years. Their dedication to advocacy and fair settlements consistently doubles or triples claim payouts for their clients, earning the firm a 5-star rating across all platforms. Anthony credits the firm’s growth to a hands-on, personalized approach that treats every claim as a priority.
As Fico puts it, “We saw firsthand how insurance companies prioritize cutting costs over customer service. Our mission is to stand up for homeowners and business owners and help them get back on their feet.”
From a humble start, Atlas Adjustments has expanded to three large offices in the region, employing a team of more than 20 professionals focused on providing exceptional service to the local community. Their team of CPAs is always ready to build a strong case for anyone who believes they could get more out of an insurance claim, covering everything from building collapses to frozen pipes. In a world where more than 90% of insurance claims are underpaid, Atlas demonstrates a commitment to working to increase payments and will work for free until they get you paid. —FK
Sandra Nam and Lucas Cioffi
Co-Founders of Qiqo
Sandra Nam and Lucas Cioffe are making waves in the tech industry with their innovative platform, Qiqo. Their story, however, began with a shared passion for community building.
Cioffe, a decorated Army veteran, noticed a gap in the world of civic technology conferences. While events brought people together, a solution for sustained connection was missing. Enter Nam, a talented landscape architect with a keen eye for fostering thriving communities. Together, in 2015, they embarked on a side project building online conferences.
Little did they know, their efforts would position them perfectly for the unexpected challenges of 2020. As the pandemic hit, Qiqo emerged as a vital tool, enabling virtual connections for over 200,000 participants. This success underscored the platform’s potential, prompting Nam and Cioffe to evolve.
Their vision went beyond simply replicating in-person events online. In 2020, they pivoted, harnessing their platform’s capabilities to create year-round, online communities and marketplaces. This innovative software, geared towards trade associations, extends the reach of annual conferences by fostering continuous engagement and interaction amongst members year-round.
“Qiqo empowers trade associations to bridge the gap between events,” said Nam. “Large conferences are fleeting and expensive, and Qiqo creates a platform for year-round interaction, making it easier for smaller companies to get noticed.”
This collaboration software operates akin to a content management system, allowing trade associations to seamlessly integrate email newsletters, blogs, and podcasts with their Qiqo platform, maximizing their reach and engagement. The solution is still in its early stages, with successful demonstrations to over 100 vendors and the first official trade association launch happening this month. To fuel their vision, Nam and Cioffe have actively utilized and leveraged resources from veteran’s communities, NYU Tandon Future Labs, and Element 46, Westchester’s accelerator program.
Fueled by their deep roots in Westchester, the couple’s dedication extends beyond the trade industry. Inspired by their return to Edgemont in 2019, they launched Qiqo.org, an online platform for residents to connect with their local community. “Awareness leads to interest,” Cioffe said. “Interest leads to engagement. Ultimately, Qiqo.org aims to create larger community impact by fostering a sense of trust and belonging.”
Having successfully piloted Qiqo.org in their hometown, Nam and Cioffe have ambitious plans to expand the platform across Westchester County, further solidifying their commitment to building vibrant online communities both locally and across industries. —KS
Robert Coverdale
Founder & CEO of Khonsu
In 2024, the global gig economy had a market share of US$556.7 billion and is expected to continue expanding. Put simply, the industry is booming and lots of people want a piece of the action. One limitation Robert Coverdale noticed is that so much gig work depends on someone having transportation (rideshares and deliveries) or property (shortterm rentals). “Not everyone who wants to take advantage of the flexibility of gig work has had the means to do so,” he says.
Lucky for Coverdale, wannabe gig workers without gigs became the answer to another dilemma he was seeking to solve.
As a tech consultant who spent as much time traveling as he did at home, he often found himself with a few hours to kill in an unfamiliar city.
Searching online for a cool new restaurant or an attraction that wouldn’t be too touristy often yielded less than desirable results. He wanted insight from someone who knew the city so he could maximize his time there—he wanted to know what the locals know.
In January of 2020—imagine that timing—he launched Khonsu, an online platform that disrupts the status-quo, allowing travelers to collaborate directly with locals to build a custom travel itinerary. Based in New Rochelle, where Coverdale grew up, his team focused on travelers with New York City on their bucket list.
In the early days, the site offered its services for free, mostly to travel nurses who were flocking to the city where they were needed during the early days of the pandemic. Now, his “experience designers” as he calls them, create itineraries at a variety of price points for travelers, often families, who want to make the most of their time in the Big Apple.
The contract workers he employs must meet a few criteria before he’ll considered hiring them. They must have lived in the city for at least five years, and they must love living there. Other than that, he’s mostly looking for people who are good at listening. On the backend, Coverdale has developed proprietary tools that can help the team excel, by analyzing the ever-changing popularity of various locations throughout the city, for example.
With thousands of New York-based itineraries completed, Coverdale has his sights set on expanding to Washington, D.C., in early 2025, and then Los Angeles and Las Vegas. “No two itineraries are ever the same,” he says. “People want to make sure they’re getting the most bang for their buck and their time, and we can do that for them.” —JBG
Lighting/photo assistance: Alfredo Fernandez
Hair/Make up assistance: Monica Montagnese of De Cara Makeup/Salon Posh and Ashley Cermele of Ashley Lauren Beauty Lounge
Related: The 5 Best Standing Desks for Your Westchester Home Office