Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1519605
HW Green Company Inc. HW Green provides sustainable solutions through customized recycling programs focusing on quality service and collaboration. Metal recycling is the cornerstone of circular economies and the pathway to conserving precious natural resources of our world. Tell us about your recent accomplishments. HW Green Company takes pride in being part of the manufacturing and recycling ecosystem in Connecticut. It continued operations improvements and yard expan- sions/updates throughout 2023/24. Annual revenue increased 160% from 2022 to the end of 2023. The team is close-knit and has grown exponentially over the past two years, from an initial six to the current 22. As a women- owned business (WBE State of CT certified), Green's is an active member of the commu- nity through outreach and metal recycling initiatives. It was recently named a 2024 Central CT Chamber Outstanding Community Business Award winner. What are your family values and how do they contribute to your business success? We have instilled the importance of honesty and integrity in all facets of life and business operations. We were raised in family busi- nesses, further strengthening our commit- ment to make each employee and customer feel valued as an important part of our team. We feel fortunate to do this every day. Where do you see your business in the next five years? We are continuing a positive trajectory and leading the recycling industry by highlighting the importance of metal recycling throughout our community. We are looking forward to facility expansion, including a new processing building and scales, which will further enhance customers' experiences. New equipment and additions to our fleet will further optimize what the team can accomplish. Do you have a business succession plan? It is our hope that the next generation will even- tually continue to run and operate HW Green. HQ: PLAINVILLE INDUSTRY: METAL RECYCLING YEAR FOUNDED & FOUNDER: 2021, KRISTA OSTUNO FAMILY MEMBERS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AT COMPANY: KRISTA OSTUNO, PRESIDENT; JEFF OSTUNO, VP, HUSBAND; RYAN FOURNIER, NON-FERROUS BUYER, SON; BEV, STAFF SUPPORT, KRISTA'S MOM; DILLON & DOMINIC OSTUNO, YOUNGER CHILDREN; TODD FOURNIER, SON GENERATION CURRENTLY RUNNING COMPANY: 2ND FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: 20 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: 2 WEBSITE: WWW.HWGREENCO.COM 2024 FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS CATEGORY WINNERS: 1-50 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES B8 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 29, 2024 Chris Cote's Golf Shop LLC Chris Cote's Golf Shop is a one-stop golf shop specializing in custom-club fitting, club repair and golf lessons. Golfers can also hit balls at Chris Cote's Toptracer ranges and indoor golf studios in Portland and Southington. Tell us about your recent accomplishments. Since 2019, Chris Cote's Golf Shop purchased the former Golf Quest in Southington, built a driving range in Portland, expanded the square footage of the Portland retail store for an indoor golf studio, and added golf lessons and tour-level fittings to an already extensive list of services. In January 2024, the golf shop was again named by Golf Digest as a Top100 Club Fitter in America for the 10th year in a row. Chris Cote's Golf Shop also acquired Prove It Golf, a boutique club-building studio in Wethersfield. What are your family values and how do they contribute to your business success? Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. We treat our customers with the attention and care that we would want walking into a store. We have trained our staff to provide technical expertise with a friendly and approachable touch. Our clubs fitters are honest with customers who are better off sticking with the clubs they have instead of upgrading to a new set. We take the Chick-Fil-A approach and close our retail stores on Sundays. This gives our employees the chance to play golf together and enjoy time with their family. Our employees are why we are so successful and hope that they feel like they are a part of the Cote family. Where do you see your business in the next five years? Over the next five years, we hope to reach people who have never played golf, or who haven't picked up their clubs in 20 years. If we can reach them, we can reintroduce them to this great game we love. HQ: PORTLAND INDUSTRY: RETAIL YEAR FOUNDED & FOUNDER: FOUNDED BY CHRIS COTE, 2008 FAMILY MEMBERS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AT COMPANY: CHRIS COTE, CEO, DAD; DONNA COTE, CONTROLLER, MOM; DANIELLE COTE, PORTLAND STORE MANAGER, DAUGHTER; BRYCE COTE, CLUB REPAIR, CLUB FITTER AND INSTRUCTOR, SON GENERATIONS CURRENTLY RUNNING COMPANY: 1ST AND 2ND FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: 15 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: 9 WEBSITE: CHRISCOTEGOLF.COM Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre (Soupspoon LLC) Heirloom Market at Comstock Ferre is a cafe, bakery, coffee shop, event space and retailer of specialty organic produce, groceries and heirloom seeds. Everything is made from scratch with local and organic ingredients. Tell us about your recent accomplishments. Heirloom opened in 2016, and Julia and Spiro bought the property in 2021. Since then, they have renovated the kitchen, bar/barista area and greenhouse. They have also added heat- ing and cooling to all the common spaces. Recently, they applied for a facade grant from the Town of Wethersfield to update and renovate gutters, siding, doors and painting. What are your family values and how do they contribute to your business success? Spiro and Julia try to instill and foster the values of honesty, hard work, compassion and understanding in their son, business and employees. Integrity in one's personal and professional life is the most important thing for the Koulouris family, Heirloom Market, and their team. Where do you see your business in the next five years? HQ: WETHERSFIELD INDUSTRY: HOSPITALITY YEAR FOUNDED & FOUNDER: 2016, JULIA & SPIRO KOULOURIS FAMILY MEMBERS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AT COMPANY: SPIRO AND JULIA KOULOURIS, HUSBAND-AND-WIFE OWNERS; KOSTA, 11, SON GENERATION CURRENTLY RUNNING COMPANY: 1ST FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES: 18 PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: 6 WEBSITE: WWW.HEIRLOOMMKT.COM The Koulouris hope to continue growing their business by expanding and bringing back to life some of the unused spaces on the property. The back barns are in disrepair, and they hope to revitalize the buildings and parts of the property that need it most. By preserving and bringing new life into this property, the Koulouris hope to keep thriving in their current and future business endeavors. Sustainable Solutions Today for Tomorrow's Generations RETAIL & INDUSTRIAL METAL RECYCLING Proud to be a Hartford Business Journal Family Business Award winner 276 S WASHINGTON ST., PLAINVILLE, CT hwgreenco.com