A Tradition of Entrepreneurship

Editorial

In 1996, BusinessWest created a new recognition program, its Top Entrepreneur Award. We did so to acknowledge this region’s deep history of entrepreneurship and to recognize those that are continuing that tradition today.

As for that history, you know the names — or many of them, anyway: Milton Bradley, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, Charles and Frank Duryea; Everett Barney (clip-on ice skates), George Hendee (Indian Motocycle); Curtis and Prestley Blake (Friendly’s); Paul and Gerry D’Amour (Big Y), William Skinner (the Skinner Silk Mill) … the list goes on. And the people on that list created tens of thousands of jobs and helped shape the region.

Today, this tradition continues, although mostly with people creating dozens, and perhaps hundreds, of jobs, all of them vitally important to this region’s future. Indeed, entrepreneurship creates more than wealth — although it does that, too. It creates vibrancy in our communities, jobs (sometimes for generations of people), and opportunities for others to make their own mark.

This is why we recognize those that continue this region’s proud tradition of entrepreneurship with our annual award. Over the years, we’ve honored some traditional entrepreneurs — the Balise family of auto dealers, the D’Amours, the Falcone family (Rocky’s Hardware), and people like Paul Kozub, founder of V-One Vodka. We’ve also honored some non-traditional entrepreneurs, such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Andrew Scibelli, former president of Springfield Technical Community College; and Craig Melin, former president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

For 2024, we blend the past with the present and future by honoring John and Chris DeVoie, founders of the Hot Table chain of panini restaurants (see story on page 12).

Their story echoes many of those from the past. They started with an idea and started small, and eventually grew the venture. Indeed, from humble beginnings in the Breckwood Shoppes in Springfield, they have grown the chain to 13 locations across this region, into Eastern Mass., and also into Connecticut, with plans to continue growing and taking the concept to new markets.

Beyond growing their venture, the brothers DeVoie, along with third partner Rich Calcasola, have succeeded in creating a culture of giving back as well as a pattern of providing employment opportunities, especially to young people. These include all-important first and second jobs to high school and college students, who need the experience as well as the paycheck, but also opportunities to advance and take on leadership positions.

While doing all this, the partners have exemplified the traits of all successful entrepreneurs — vision, persistence, imagination, perseverance, and the ability to overcome adversity and learn from mistakes.

They share traits with Smith, Wesson, Bradley, Skinner, Barney, and three generations of the D’Amour family, and, like those others, they have become true inspirations to others.

They are making their own mark, but they are also carrying on a proud tradition, and that’s why they’re the Top Entrepreneurs for 2024.