For 2009, I'll be highlighting selected small businesses.

Today: Next Step Publishing
Next Step Publishing, Inc. located in Victor, started in 1995 as a magazine helping Rochester teens with college, career and life planning and is led by Founder and CEO, David Mammano. Since then, Next Step, which employs 15 people, has gone national reaching 800,000 teens per month in more than 20,500 high schools. Next Step also publishes a transfer student guide that helps community college students transfer to a four-year college.

The online magazine, at www.nextSTEPmag.com helps more than 180,000 teens per month with a college planning community, hundreds of articles, career videos, a step by step college planning guide, a college match tool and more.

Recognitions
The past two years (2007, 2008) Next Step has been an Inc. 5000 Company and in 2007, Next Step was a Rochester Top 100 Company.

Next Step Publishing, Inc. won a national award for Youth Periodical of the Year in 2007 from the Association of Education Publishers beating out Wall Street Journal Classroom edition, New York Times Upfront Magazine and Scholastic Art Magazine

Challenges
The biggest challenge Next Step is facing today is adjusting to the rapidly evolving technology associated with the print and advertising industries coupled with the challenging economy. In order to combat these challenges, "we have to constantly have our fi nger on the pulse of media and advertising, or get left behind
quickly," says Mammano.

Rochester Business Alliance Member
Next Step Publishing, Inc. has been a member of the Rochester Business Alliance and its predecessor, the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, for 13 years. Next Step has been an active participant in our Staples Offi ce Supplies buying group for more than two years. Mammano has been active in an affi liate, The Small Business Council, and has been nominated twice for their Business Person
of the Year Award - a recognition that "has been a good morale booster for us" says Mammano.

What's Next
Next Step is planning a sister publication in Puerto Rico, set to launch in early 2009. Additionally, Mammano promises "something big is coming soon to help adults with the continuing education plans!"

Contact Info
Next Step Publishing
86 West Main St.
Victor, NY 14564
(585) 742-1260
www.nextSTEPmag.com

By Kevin Donahue, director of membership and business development

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Did You Know...?
The average company is saving more than $1,700 per month off of Staples list price by participating in the RBA's Staples Offi ce Supplies buying group.

Need more info? Contact Kevin Donahue at (585) 256-4651.