Staten Island business owner says he helps people solve challenges ‘they perceive as insurmountable.’

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Since Grymes Hill Resident Marc Kachtan, 38, was a kid he has been fascinated with “all things tech.”While still in middle school he found himself “going down rabbit holes” on the internet using service provider platforms, like AOL, to dig deeper into the tech world.“I was always on the computer, and wanted to learn as much as possible…. I was on AOL constantly,” he admitted. “I wanted to become as tech savvy as possible. It’s like anything you’re passionate about, you just pursue it without thinking about it.”Since Kachtan has always had a knack for technology, he realized early on that he could utilize his tech savvy skills to make a living.“I remember in eighth grade, people came to me for advice. I was known as ‘the computer guy’ back then…Being proficient in something that’s bewildering to others makes you unique, and gives you the opportunity to be sought after for your service and advice,” said Kachtan. “I genuinely enjoy helping people with their technology. It’s an incredible feeling to be able to easily help someone with a challenge they perceive as insurmountable.”After working professionally in IT for more than 20 years at a variety of companies, primarily in the creative and production industries, Kachtan’s passion led him to launch his own business.In August 2023, Kachtan opened KRNL Technology in West Brighton, a company that offers fully-outsourced IT services to companies.“I had always wanted to start this business, but I had an amazing job that I absolutely loved, so it was just a dream. The dream quickly became a reality when my former job asked me to move cross country. I decided right then that I would quit and start my own business,” he said.In August 2023, Marc Kachtan opened KRNL Technology in West Brighton, a company that offers fully-outsourced IT services to companies.Courtesy of Kyle Amerantes,Drive to SucceedKachtan’s “drive” to succeed stems from his youth when he spent countless hours riding his BMX bike on the North Shore. He and his pals — many of whom are still his friends today — loved the sport so much, they built a skate park in South Beach.“It was a transformative period of my life. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have discovered BMX, and I credit it with helping me become a more well-rounded person,” he said.Marc Kachtan’s “drive” to succeed stems from his youth when he spent countless hours riding his BMX bike on the North Shore. He and his pals — many of whom are still his friends today — loved the sport so much, they built a skate park in South Beach.Courtesy of Marc KachtanServices OfferedKRNL Technology is a Managed IT Services provider, which offers cyber security, technical support, backup and disaster recovery, and proactive monitoring and maintenance. Kachtan said company employees are certified Apple IT professionals and members of the Apple Consultants Network.“Our expertise with the Apple device ecosystem sets us apart from our competitors,” he said.Kachtan loves his job so much it doesn’t ever feel like work for him.In August 2023, Marc Kachtan opened KRNL Technology in West Brighton, a company that offers fully-outsourced IT services to companies.Courtesy of Marc Kachtan“I’ve always been very personable and friendly and I love to help others, especially with technology. I make it a point to highlight the support side of the service offering to my prospects. There’s a stigma about IT people being slow or rude. I’m doing everything in my power to undo that stigma,” he said.“I wake up every day excited to get to work on building the business. I love to learn new things and starting a business has exposed me to so much. I also really enjoy providing service to my clients and helping to improve their businesses technology,” Kachtan added.KRNL Technology at a GlanceWebsite: krnltech.comInstagram: @krnltechnologyLinkedIn: krnl-technologyNew Businesses in Focus is a column that relates the stories of new Staten Island business owners.If you have a new business on Staten Island, e-mail [email protected].

Halloween Candy and Book Pairings: Here’s Which Treats Match Our Favorite Books

Whether you’re going trick or treating yourself, doing the ol’ “one for me, one for you” while handing out the goods or, ahem, “helping” the kids with their haul, we all love a good Halloween candy pairing. This spooky season, get your bookshelf in on the fun.

We challenged PEOPLE staffers to match their recent favorite books with a Halloween candy based on, well, any criteria from how the characters behave — Are they salty? Sweet? A little sour? — to the plot, overall vibe and even spice level (romance and romantasy fans know what we’re talking about).

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Read on for our totally opinionated, deeply unscientific Halloween candy and book pairings and this year. Feeling inspired? Share your own in the comments!

‘Intermezzo’ and Dark Chocolate with Raspberry

‘Intermezzo’ and a raspberry chocolate bar.
Farrar, Straus and Giroux ; Ghiradelli

Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo is a little sultry, a little sweet and totally decadent. An intense dark chocolate bar with raspberry strikes just the right tone for the Irish supernova’s newest hit.

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ and Snickers

ACOTAR and Snickers.
Bloomsbury Publishing ; Snickers

Snickers has a lot going on: there’s salty nuts, sweet caramel, that soft nougat layer all encased in chocolate — and just like setting out to read Sarah J. Maas’ ACOTAR, you’ll probably indulge in more than you planned before turning out the lights.

‘Long Island Compromise’ and Laffy Taffy

‘Long Island Compromise’ and Laffy Taffy.
Random House; Laffy Taffy

This one works on two levels. First, the obvious: Long Island Compromise was written by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, also the brains behind Fleishman is in Trouble who shares a name with the candy. But this novel about the fallout from a patriarch’s kidnapping is also a delicious slow burn, just like the iconic boardwalk treat.

‘The Paradise Problem’ and Starburst

‘The Paradise Problem’ and Starburst.
Gallery Books; Starburst

Not only do the candies and the cover of The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren look absolutely adorable together, but the story has its sweet, sour and slightly habit-forming elements as the chewy treats. It follows a free spirit artist and a grocery store heir embroiled in a ruse that may all come crashing down. But we won’t spoil what’s at the bottom of the bag.

‘Fangirl’ and Almond Joy

‘Fangirl’ and Almond Joy.
VIZ Media LLC; Almond Joy

Sometimes you feel like a nut … you know the rest. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell is all about twin sisters Cath and Wren, an obsessive fandom, family drama, relationships, the works. It’s sweet and just like the sometimes-divisive candy, has a dedicated cadre of fans all its own.

‘Down the Drain’ and Fun Dip

‘Down the Drain’ by Julia Fox.
Simon & Schuster ; Fun Dip

If you haven’t dipped into this fun and wild ride from pop culture icon Julia Fox, what are you waiting for? It’s vulnerable, complicated and more than a little messy.

‘Big Swiss’ and Bit O’ Honey

‘Big Swiss’ and Bit O’ Honey.
Scribner ; Bit O Honey

First of all, the friends at the center of the hilarious Big Swiss by Jen Beagin live in a house full of bees. And then things get a little, shall we say, sticky when one of them becomes obsessed with a woman she knows only from transcribing a sex coach’s notes. This book will get stuck in your head the same way this throwback candy might loosen a molar or two.

‘The Idea of You’ and Kit Kat

‘The Idea of You’ and Kit Kat.
St. Martin’s Griffin; Kit Kat

Not only is The Idea of You by Robinne Lee a great way to take a break from your real life, the book also saw a whole new audience discovering it through the refreshing screen adaptation this year — just like the classic candy got a fall branding update just in time for Halloween.

‘Fourth Wing’ and Lindt Dark Chocolate with Chili

‘Fourth Wing’ and Lindt dark chocolate with chili.
Entangled: Red Tower Books; Lindt

Anyone who’s read Rebecca Yarros’ smash hit Empyrean series is probably also familiar with the chili pepper scale popularized by Booktok. In brief: The more chili peppers, the spicier the romance. Pick up this one for a hot treat — on the page and your palate.

‘A Visit From the Goon Squad’ and Nerds Clusters

‘A Visit From the Goon Squad’ and Nerds Clusters.
Vintage; Nerds

With its colorful cast of characters, Jennifer Egan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A Visit From the Good Squad fits right in with one of the hottest candies of the year. And much like the bag of crunch-coated gummies, you won’t be able to put it down.

‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Werther’s Original

‘Pride and Prejudice’ and Werther’s Original.
Fingerprint! Publishing; Werthers Original

Even though Werther’s isn’t quite as old as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — they came out in 1909 and 1913, respectively — both are timeless classics. And just like the butterscotch candies beloved by grandparents everywhere, everything Austen writes deserves to be savored.

‘Beach Read’ and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

‘Beach Read’ and Reeses.
 Berkley; Reeses

Emily Henry’s books are as beloved as the peanut butter cups that often hit the top spot in favorite Halloween candy surveys. Her breakout 2020 hit Beach Read — which just got a sparkly, stained-edge new edition — often ranks high on readers’ favorites, too.

‘Spare’ and Candy Corn

‘Spare’ and Candy Corn.
Random House; Brachs

On the other hand, candy corn brings out the haters, the lovers and the online discussers, often ranking high as trick or treaters’ least favorite candy despite its iconic association with Halloween. Prince Harry, who’s weathered life under a microscope and the associated media scrutiny over every aspect of his existence, might know a little something about that. And in this stunning memoir, you can read all about it.

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Australia, United Kingdom, United States Tout Drone Networks At Autonomous Warrior 2024

The three partner countries constituting the AUKUS trilateral security partnership on October 25 have concluded this years Autonomous Warrior (AW) exercise. The event lasted one month, testing thirty capabilities provided by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Autonomous Warrior dates back to 2018, held annually between the three nations with further partners for selected events. Notably for the 2024-iteration Japan participated as an observer. The step is in line with Japan’s interest in joining the Pillar 2-element of AUKUS. Pillar 2 focuses on advanced capabilities and technology sharing among partners. This element of AUKUS complements Pillar 1, which aims to provide a nuclear powered submarine-capability to the Australian Navy (RAN).

Large range of drones included some unidentified systems

Swift Sea Stalker and MAPC GARC at AW 2024, Image via Australian Defence.

Ocean Aero Triton dual USV/UUV at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

Unidentified large UUV at AW 2024, reminiscent of Kongsberg Hugin series. Image via Australian Defence.

Remus 600 series UUV at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

The Ocius Bluebottle featured prominently at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

High altitude balloon providing communications relay at AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

Notable systems featured in AW 2024 included the Ghost Shark, Remus 600 and Speartooth UUVs. The range of surface drones (USV) featured the Australian Ocius Bluebottle. US contributions included the Saronic Cutlass, the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, or GARC built by Maritime Applied Physics Corporation. Swift’s Sea Stalker and the Ocean Aero Triton, a combined USV and UUV, were further entries. Airborne systems included what the US DoD in a statement described as “a low-cost gondola, which supports operations in the upper stratosphere with minimum manpower or logistics requirements”. Another US-system were “T-200 high-altitude balloons, which provide resilient communications in denied environments from the stratosphere.”. Australia contributed the OWL-B loitering munition manufactured by Innovaero.

Footage released by Australia also showed a range of unidentified capabilities. These included a delta-winged UAV with pusher prop launched off a moving vehicle. An unknown large UUV resembled Kongsberg’s Hugin-range of underwater drones. Possibly related to the ASW-element of AW 2024 was an unidentified effector discharged from a Collins-class submarine at berth, presumably related to submarine countermeasure capabilities.

First appearance of Ghost Shark In Exercise

For Anduril’s Ghost Shark this years Autonomous Warrior exercise was the first published appearance in a complex testing environment. Image via Australian Defence.

Neither Anduril nor Australian Defence would provide further information on Ghost Shark within the scope of AW 2024. Image via Australian Defence.

For Anduril’s Ghost Shark AW 2024 represented the first publicised exercise in which the large uncrewed underwater vehicle has participated. Anduril earlier this year had also shipped a prototype from Australia to Hawaii, where the company promoted the design at RIMPAC 2024. Nevertheless information on Ghost Shark including basic capabilities and design features such as its propulsion remain unknown. Neither the manufacturer nor Australian officials have released more detailed information on the effort.

Networked Communication As Key Element Of AW 2024

Communications, command and control formed key aspects of AW 2024. Related PR material prominently included soft- and hardware such as an “AUKUS Common Control” workstation. Described as “Common Control System (CCS)” by the US statement the setup is “built on an open architecture to provide uncrewed vehicles hardware and software that works across several different systems. This effort supports future work to create an AUKUS-wide Common Control System, fusing best elements of the three countries’ existing systems.”

In this context the US also emphasized the “Multi-Domain Uncrewed Secure Integrated Communications (MUSIC) tested for its ability to enable seamless communication and coordination across diverse unmanned systems and operational environments.” Meanwhile the UK statement highlighted “Strike Net”, which also serves to integrate partner assets into national command and control-infrastructure. Additionally the Royal Navy contributed “SONIX”, an ASW information sharing-network utilizing sonobuoy-sensor data.

Joint operations centre at Autonomous Warrior 2024, highlighting trilateral efforts in command and control. Image via Australian Defence.

Australia and the United States also highlighted Autonomous Warrior in the overall series of AUKUS trilateral efforts dubbed “Maritime Big Play” (MBP). The US describe MBP as “a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises that are enhancing capability development, improving interoperability, and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems in the maritime domain.”. The three partners have not yet released schedule and planning information on next years Autonomous Warrior-iteration, or how it would evolve from the existing testing environment.

Is the United States on the brink of dictatorship?

“They say I’m Hitler. I am the opposite of a
Nazi.” From rumors about Haitians eating dogs and cats to rally jokes
about Puerto Ricans, it’s hard to say the Republican candidate’s campaign has
dispelled any misunderstandings, nor has it really tried. On the contrary, it
has played with the full range of dubious sentiments and populist emotions.
Isn’t white male discontent the raison d’être of Trumpism? 

While Donald Trump loves to paint himself as the victim,
his opponents have ample ammunition to depict him as the worst of demons. Among
many examples, consider his recent remarks about Xi Jinping, the most
authoritarian Chinese leader since the dark days of Maoism: “A brilliant
guy,” Trump opined. “He controls 1.4 billion people with an iron
fist.” His admiration for dictators is no secret. There’s reason to fear
that a second Trump term, surrounded by an even more submissive entourage, could
bring a wave of revenge and transgressions. The march of his supporters on the
Capitol after his defeat four years ago already had all the signs of an
attempted coup. Disorganized, perhaps. But next time?

Many who worked with him behind the closed doors
of the White House have now expressed grave concerns. According to John F. Kelly, a
former Marine general and his former chief of staff, if fascism is defined as “a
far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology and movement,
characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism,
forced suppression of opposition, and belief in a natural social
hierarchy,” then, yes, “Trump is certainly a fascist.” Should we
take this accusation lightly?

Concerns for the future of American democracy are
widespread—and not only from the far right. Neo-puritanism on the left, in the
form of cancel culture, also has troubling characteristics. Trumpism draws much
of its strength, perhaps even its raison d’être, from this mirror game where
intolerance from one side fuels fanaticism on the other. Democracy only works
as long as opponents are not turned into enemies to be crushed. 

How far off seems the era when people prophesied “the end of history” with the universal triumph of liberal democracy!
Few foresaw—perhaps only St. John Paul II—that the system that had just overcome
communism would soon face its own moral turbulence. Military coups in Africa,
the “holy alliance” of Russian, Chinese, North Korean, and Iranian
dictators, “illiberal democracy” following the Hungarian or Turkish
models… To this troubling list, add “gray” tools for surveillance,
control, and manipulation of public opinion. These tools are being refined with
technological progress even as public attachment to freedoms declines. 

Trump is merely another name for an existential
crisis. Can this be resisted? The answer falling to a few thousand voters in
Pennsylvania or North Carolina is hardly reassuring, even though American civil
society still has powerful mechanisms in place.

Jean-Pierre Denis, a veteran journalist
and editor, is the publisher of La Croix International.

Montana State scientists study how wild oats become resistant to herbicides

With new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, scientists in Montana State University’s Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology will seek to fill knowledge gaps surrounding an agricultural weed that has caused problems for Montana producers for decades.Jennifer Lachowiec, an associate professor in MSU’s College of Agriculture, received two grants from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture totaling more than $900,000 to study how wild oats develop herbicide resistance and to explore management techniques for the weed.Lachowiec’s work blends several disciplines including plant genetics, remote sensing and molecular biology. The project, which includes collaborators William Dyer and Barbara Keith in the Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology and Tim Seipel and Paul Nugent in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, aims to give agricultural producers recommendations for either precise herbicide applications or alternative management practices.“By understanding how herbicide resistance can be induced by stressful environments, like high temperatures, we can inform the development of new tools and strategies to overcome weeds and prevent ineffectual use of herbicides,” said Lachowiec. “This will contribute to better environmental health and economic outcomes for agricultural markets.”By Reagan Cotton, MSU News Service

Diwali 2024: 5 must-watch movies to enjoy with family over the festive long holiday

Bollywood movies are the perfect way to spend the long Diwali holiday with your loved ones. Filled with a blend of festivity, family drama, action, and laughter, Bollywood provides wholesome entertainment that adds to the warmth of Diwali festivities. Here are some timeless movies you can watch with you loved ones this Diwali from the comfort of your home: Chennai ExpressChennai Express, released in 2013, is an action-comedy following Rahul, a man journeying to immerse his late grandfather’s ashes, who finds himself on an unexpected adventure through South India after meeting Meena. Together, they face humorous mishaps, thrilling chases, and romantic twists. Directed by Rohit Shetty, the film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul and Deepika Padukone as Meena. Known for its blend of action and comedy, it’s available to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.Kal Ho Naa HoThis 2003 movie is an emotional romantic drama set in New York, following Naina, a woman grappling with family troubles, who finds her world transformed by her lively neighbor Aman. While helping her discover love and happiness, Aman hides a heartbreaking secret. Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan. Known for its iconic songs and tear-jerking moments, Kal Ho Naa Ho is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.Kabhi Khushi Kabhie GhamThe 2001 family drama *Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham* follows Yash and Nandini Raichand as their son Rahul defies tradition by marrying a woman from a different background, leading to family tensions and separation. The story unfolds with emotional reunions, exploring sibling bonds and the enduring strength of family values. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor, this Bollywood classic is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV.3 IdiotsThis 2009 release is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that follows three friends navigating college life, pressures, and self-discovery. Through humor and life lessons, Rancho, Farhan, and Raju challenge societal norms and the education system, inspiring each other to follow their dreams.Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film stars Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, and Sharman Joshi, with Kareena Kapoor and Boman Irani in key roles. Filled with memorable quotes and laughter, 3 Idiots is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.Golmaal SeriesThe Golmaal Series is a popular Indian comedy film franchise directed by Rohit Shetty. It includes Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Golmaal Returns (2008), Golmaal 3 (2010), Golmaal Again (2017), and the upcoming Golmaal 5. The films revolve around a group of friends embroiled in humorous and chaotic situations, often featuring elements of mistaken identity and supernatural themes.Cast: Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemu, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Tabu.The series is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.MoreLess

Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 review: A business laptop that shines where it matters

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is the definition of a business laptop, but not in a bad way.It excels in a few key ways that matter most to professionals, despite a few drawbacks. While it might not have a fancy design, the ThinkPad T14s is surprisingly lightweight, features a comfy keyboard, offers strong overall performance, and boasts over 20 hours of battery life. In fact, it’s the longest-lasting laptop we’ve tested at the time of writing. Those are the makings of a great business laptop.Unlike its predecessors, the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 features a Qualcomm processor. It’s one of a growing list of Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. Is the switch from Intel to Qualcomm a wise move for the ThinkPad? Can it keep up with its Intel-powered rivals and deliver the performance professionals need?Let’s deep dive into how the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 performed in our testing and what you should know before buying one.Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Specs (as reviewed)Swipe to scroll horizontallyPrice$1,475 (starting price $1,036)CPUQualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 GPUQualcomm Adreno integrated graphicsRAM32GBStorage 1TBDisplay14-inch WUXGA 1920×1200 Battery life21:03Dimensions12.35 x 8.64 x 0.67 inches Weight2.72 poundsLenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Price and configurationsOur review model cost $1,475 and featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, a 14-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1080 IPS display, and Windows 11 Pro.The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 starts at $1,036, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, a 14-inch WUXGA 1920 x 1080 IPS display, and Windows 11 Home.There are several upgrades available. You can max it out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100 processor, up to 64GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, Windows 11 Pro, and an OLED display. Of course, all of these increase the price of your configuration. The configuration with every upgrade available costs $2,022.If you’re customizing your own ThinkPad T14s Gen 6, I would strongly recommend increasing your storage to at least 512GB and opting for the Snapdragon X Elite processor. The base 256GB of storage offers barely any space for apps and files and the Snapdragon X Elite CPU will offer far better performance than the more budget-oriented Snapdragon X Plus option. However, we cannot vouch for benchmarks like battery life, since we didn’t test that model.Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: Design(Image credit: Stevie Bonifield)If there’s one word that describes the ThinkPad T14s Gen 6’s design, it’s “utilitarian.” This is a business laptop first and foremost and it looks the part. It features the plain black plastic chassis ThinkPads are known for, complete with the red rubber track point in the center of the keyboard.Beyond the undeniably business-centric design, there are a few features worth noting, like the top-firing speakers along the edges of the keyboard deck. I love to see these on laptops since they usually offer far better audio quality than bottom-firing speakers, which are easily muffled.The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is also much lighter than it looks. I was surprised when I picked it up for the first time. It weighs just 2.72 pounds, making it effortless to carry around this laptop in the office, on your commute, or on long treks through the airport. The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is pretty compact, too, measuring 12.35 x 8.64 x 0.67 inches.While some of the ThinkPad T14s’s competitors are thinner, none of them are lighter. The Asus ExpertBook P5 comes close at 2.84 pounds, though:Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: PortsImage

Lower Mifflin woman turns crafting into business

Rachel Andreoli
For The Sentinel
Cumberland County has no shortage of residents with unique talents and independent spirits.From artists to mechanics, office workers to outdoor professionals, these entrepreneurs showcase the best of what businesses in the county have to offer.Every week, The Sentinel’s Small Business Spotlight will feature these people and share their stories.Discover your local connection through this series that focuses on small business owners in your own backyard and highlights the services they provide for their community.Carrie WhiteBusiness Name: B and C CreationYears in business: 2 yearsLocation: Newville

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Contact: 717-404-0936Q: Why did you want to start this kind of business?A: It is something that I like to do, and, plus, it is a hobby of mine. My grandmother was also very crafty. I also have a creative mind.Q: How did you get your start?A: I did a few crafts and people were telling me that I should start selling my crafts.Q: What does your business sell or provide?A: We sell handcrafted items (snowman night lights, wristlet keychains, custom cups and shirts).Q: What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?A: I would like to have a website, because I am not able to sell online. Be able to purchase the machine that I need to print for the shirts. More storage than I have so I can make more of my crafts. I think the website would reach more customers.Q: What is your favorite thing to do or place in Cumberland County?A: My favorite things to do is to go to craft shows and to meet other vendors, and to support local firehouses when they have breast cancer shirts for sale.
With Christmas right around the corner, products from Meadowbrooke Gourds in Upper Frankford Township are a popular gift to give and receive in Cumberland County and  Wholesale Sales Manager Emily Bear helped break down the step-by-step process it takes to create each hand crafted product.

Maddie Seiler

Rachel Andreoli is the owner of Love Where You Live LLC.

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British Business Bank response to Autumn Budget 2024

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe British Business Bank welcomes the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement at today’s Autumn Budget confirming over £1bn of funding for the Bank to continue its programmes supporting access to finance for smaller businesses and thereby driving sustainable economic growth across the UK.The Chancellor announced additional support for smaller businesses in the form of housing guarantee schemes to support the private housing market, which includes an increase in guarantee capacity of the Bank’s ENABLE Build programme to support further finance for smaller house builders, and allocated additional funding to the Growth Guarantee Scheme, the successor to the Recovery Loan Scheme. The announcement includes funding for Start Up Loans over the next financial year as well as additional funding for three of the Bank’s equity programmes that back innovative, high growth businesses and early-stage start-ups.In line with the ambition of the Invest in Women Taskforce to expand access to funding for female entrepreneurs, the British Business Bank will invest £50m in female-led funds through its existing programmes. Louis TaylorThis ongoing commitment to the Bank complements the announcement at the International Investment Summit which confirmed the establishment of the British Growth Partnership to encourage more UK pension fund investment into the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative companies. In addition, reforms announced to the British Business Bank’s financial framework will put its £7.9bn for commercial programmes on a permanent footing, meaning the Bank can flexibly re-invest in the long-term to further increase its impact. Louis Taylor, CEO, British Business Bank, said: “We welcome today’s announcement by the Chancellor which is a further demonstration of the confidence in the British Business Bank to deliver access to finance for smaller businesses across the UK to help them start, scale and grow.“Today’s package of measures will provide more guarantees to housebuilders, more loans to start up businesses, more funding to the UK’s high growth innovative companies, support for businesses to recover and grow, and to maximise women’s contribution to the economy.”ENABLE BuildThe Chancellor announced additional support for smaller businesses in the form of housing guarantee schemes to support the private housing market, which includes an increase in guarantee capacity of the Bank’s ENABLE Build programme to support further finance for smaller house builders. This will increase the credit available for smaller housebuilders, helping to support the building of thousands of new UK homes. ENABLE Build has supported the finance to build thousands of new homes across the UK since 2021. Start Up Loans The government will provide funding for the Bank to continue the Start Up Loans programme. Start Up Loans delivers financial and business support to new businesses and aspiring under-represented UK entrepreneurs who have struggled to secure finance. Future Fund: BreakthroughThe government will increase funding for the £425m Future Fund: Breakthrough programme to co-invest in high-growth, innovative firms.The programme, delivered by the Bank’s commercial subsidiary, British Patient Capital, makes equity co-investments with private sector investors in growth stage R&D-intensive UK companies operating in breakthrough technology sectors. Future Fund: Breakthrough supports the growth of the UK’s most innovative companies and will help to provide an investment pipeline to pension fund investment through the work to develop the British Growth Partnership.Life Sciences Investment Programme The government will increase funding for the £200m Life Sciences Investment Programme. The Life Sciences Investment Programme is designed to address the growth equity finance gap faced by high-potential UK life sciences companies. Through the programme, managed by British Patient Capital, the Bank makes cornerstone commitments to later stage life sciences venture growth funds with a strong UK focus. Regional Angels Programme The government will provide funding for the Regional Angels Programme to continue its aim of reducing regional imbalances in access to early-stage equity finance for smaller businesses across the UK. Managed by British Business Investments, the £285m programme seeks to increase the aggregate amount of early-stage equity capital that is available to smaller businesses with high growth potential across the UK, focusing on those outside London.Invest in Women Taskforce The Bank is expanding access to funding for female entrepreneurs and will invest £50m into female-led funds through its existing programmes. This investment will support the aims of the Invest in Women Taskforce, which is an industry led, government backed initiative committed to increasing finance for female entrepreneurs. Continue Reading