One person and two businesses received regional awards Wednesday, May 6, as part of the national and local celebration of Small Business Week, which began May 3.
The Small Business Administration’s Buffalo District selected these award winners in Monroe County: Shannon Halligan, director of Halligan Creative Arts Therapy, was named Small Business Person of the Year. The Small Business of the Year award went to CatPrint, whose CEO is Jon Weaver, and the Veterans Small Business of the Year award honoree was Nairy Mechanical LLC, led by owner and President Ray Holtz.
Art-based mental health therapy offered
Halligan Creative Arts Therapy consists of a team of licensed therapists who offer art-based mental health services to people 5 and older at 757 University Ave., Rochester, and 317 N. Aurora St., Ithaca. Halligan, a native of Ithaca, has more than 20 years of experience in art, play and cognitive behavior therapy. She often speaks at events and workshops and coaches therapists on ways to build their own practices.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said during the ceremony at the Ann Burr Business Center, which is located at City Place on West Main Street, that the practice “blends traditional psychotherapy with creative expression. They provide individual and group therapy for all ages, using art as a tool to help clients process trauma, manage anxiety, and improve emotional well-being.”
Halligan Creative Arts Therapy also offers continuing education and community classes. Among the latter, Summer Art on the Porch: Painted Straw Totes will be offered at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, in Rochester. For information, go to halliganarts.com.
“I believe I was selected because over the past eight years I have grown my business from a solo private practice into a group practice by advocating for insurance contracts that support hiring additional therapists and expanding access to insurance-based mental health services in Rochester and throughout New York State,” Halligan wrote in an email.
“I chose the field of art therapy because it combined two things that have always been central to who I am: helping others and being an artist. The integration of creativity and mental health work deeply resonated with me and continues to shape the work I do today.”
Specialized printing
CatPrint prints a wide range of products, including wedding invitations, fine art prints, flyers, brochures, postcards and posters. It specializes in short-run printing for artists, designers, photographers, small businesses and the general public. It’s at 100 Photikon Drive, Perinton, but primarily accepts orders online at catprint.com. “They are known for their eco-friendly paper options and personalized customer service for everything from wedding invitations to professional art prints,” Bello said during the ceremony.
Weaver, who accepted the award, said in a phone call that the company ships 2,000 to 2,500 orders a week across the nation. The business spread “happened organically,” with artists and designers spreading the word that they were pleased with its work, he said. People can order one item or many, and local customers get free shipping.
Large-scale commercial, industrial projects
Nairy Mechanical, 155 Donovan St., Webster, offers a variety of services, including HVAC and plumbing for schools and large-scale projects in design build engineering, building controls, metal fabrication and refrigeration for businesses and industries. Holtz has spent more than 20 years in mechanical construction, starting after he left the Army.
Small businesses’ role in economy
“Shannon, Jon, and Ray represent the very best of our community – innovation, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving others. Their success stories are proof that Monroe County is a place where you can turn a great idea into a thriving reality,” Bello added.
In a news release, Bello and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said small businesses promote the growth of the local economy and make the community more resilient and robust. “I encourage our residents to shop local and support our small businesses,” Bello said
Evans praised local entrepreneurs’ dedication, innovation and provision of employment opportunities.
“National Small Business Week celebrates the innovators and job creators who keep communities like Monroe County thriving,” said Matt Coleman, SBA Atlantic regional administrator. He said that in 2025, the SBA “delivered over $60.3 million to 255 local small businesses, supporting 1,810 jobs.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: These Monroe County businesses were honored for Small Business Week
Reporting by Laura Nichols, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
