The 'Power Up Sales Series' is a collaboration to support small local businesses. Left to right: Julie Marchesella, President of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, Yaryl Gonzalez, Community Engagement Manger, National Grid and Cheryl Fajardo, President of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber.

A powerful new program designed to equip local entrepreneurs with high-impact strategies for business success has launched in Nassau County. The “Power Up Sales Series,” a three-part business seminar presented by the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with National Grid, is energizing the small business community in New Hyde Park and Elmont.

“These seminars are designed to do more than inform—they’re designed to ignite momentum,” said Cheryl Fajardo, President of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. “Business owners walked away with real strategies they can implement immediately, plus new connections with peers from across the region.”

Held over the course of three weeks, the series provided business owners with practical tools to scale, strengthen their brand, and grow their networks. Led by seasoned business trainers Zaleena Schooler, Eric Mingorance, and John Tudisco, with strategic insight from Susan Gatti of Disruptive Spark, the sessions delivered actionable techniques on sales, communication, personal branding, and negotiation.

“Supporting small businesses strengthens our communities and drives local economic growth,” said Brian Sapp of National Grid. “By investing in entrepreneurs, we help ensure that businesses and the jobs they create stay and grow right here on Long Island.”

The program drew participation from hundreds of business leaders throughout the area, offering a rare chance to connect across community lines. Local entrepreneurs shared stories, exchanged resources, and developed partnerships that could lead to long-term collaboration.

“These meetings allowed business owners to connect in ways that wouldn’t have happened otherwise,” Fajardo added. “It’s about building a regional business ecosystem where everyone thrives.”

 Attendees reported strong takeaways, including insights into brand positioning, negotiation tactics, and multi-platform networking. One participant, Leon William, co-owner of Mr. Flavors Ice Cream, described the impact of the series on his business:

“One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of personal branding—how you present yourself and what makes you stand out,” said William. “I also learned that your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room. That really stuck with me. The seminar also taught me how to hold my value in negotiations and the power of building partnerships both online and within the local community.”

 The “Power Up Sales Series” is part of National Grid’s ‘Grid for Good’ initiative which support and strengthen Long Island’s small business ecosystem through education, access, and community collaboration.

News Coverage: Power Up Sales Series teaches businesses strategy, branding in New Hyde Park, Elmont

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.