Tony's Canvas and Leather Wins Manufacturer of the Year from SBDC

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Tony O’Geen, owner of Tony’s Canvas and Leather in Massena and 1984 SUNY Canton graduate, mends a hockey glove in his shop. O’Geen won the SBDC’s Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year award.

CANTON, NY (05/19/2011)(readMedia)-- If you rip it, Tony O'Geen can stitch it.

O'Geen, owner of Tony's Canvas and Leather in Massena, has been selected by the New York State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year after working with the SBDC office at SUNY Canton. He will receive his award at a recognition dinner on May 24 as part of the SBDC's Annual Conference at the Crowne Plaza in Lake Placid.

The 1984 SUNY Canton graduate started Tony's Canvas and Leather from his home in 2001 after realizing the demand for local sports equipment repair services. He traveled to Montreal, Canada, to learn the art of re-palming hockey gloves from Eagle Hockey and began posting flyers in the local hockey arenas and sports facilities. His grass roots efforts paid off and he quickly expanded his offerings to manufacturing and repair of all variety of sports bags and equipment. He soon began repairing hockey equipment for local colleges, including SUNY Canton.

"Tony represents the idea of a true American entrepreneur," Dale Rice, SUNY Canton SBDC director said. "He saw a need in the market and found a way to fulfill it, beginning as a part-time, home-based business and growing gradually to become a force in the global marketplace."

O'Geen began working with the SBDC in 2008 on a variety of business development initiatives. Over time, he amassed an impressive menu of services worthy of his slogan, "You Rip It, I'll Stitch It."

He gradually expanded to work on leather saddlebags, boat and trailer covers, tack repair and shoe repair. He also began creating custom printed and embroidered apparel, fire bags, hunting bags, signs and banners.

Several years ago O'Geen worked with the Northern Adirondack Trading Cooperative to develop his website, www.tonyscanvas.com. It immediately gave him access to a global market and in recent years he has attracted customers from as far away as Australia. His success is even more notable considering that up until this year the business was a part-time venture in addition to his full-time employment as a New York State Corrections Officer.

Upon retirement earlier this year, Tony set out to further expand his company by seeking grant and loan funding through the St. Lawrence County IDA. The funds allowed him to purchase new equipment that will greatly expand his printing logos and sign services.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 150 courses online each semester. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years. Construction of the College's new Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center nicknamed Roos House is nearing completion, while the new apartment-style residence hall, featuring single-occupancy rooms, is under construction and will open in August 2011.

-www.canton.edu-