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Next Presentation in the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Lecture Series is March 7
Daemen College Alumna, Entrepreneur Only a Few Weeks After Graduation, Will Share Her Knowledge and
Experience March 7 Through Nancy Haberman Gacioch Lecture Series
February 8, 2012
Event
Information: Daemen Conference
and Events Office
716.839.8253
Entrepreneurship
Program: Cathaleen Curtiss
Coordinator-Daemen Interdisciplinary
Minor in Entrepreneurship Program
716.566.7877
ccurtiss@daemen.edu
Media
Contact: Mike Andrei
Director-College Relations
716.839.8472
mandrei@daemen.edu
With the help of an entrepreneurial partner and the support of Daemen faculty and her classmates, Daemen alumna Samantha Tagliarino, Class of 2011, successfully turned her senior project into a business only a few weeks after graduation. Offering a variety of reconditioned and repurposed furniture and gifts, OffBeat Emporium had its grand opening on June 18, 2011.
On March 7 in the Nancy Haberman Gacioch Lecture Series at Daemen College, Samantha will discuss how she and her business partner were able to make Offbeat Emporium a reality. Samantha’s talk will be held 5 p.m. in Alumni Lounge in Wick Center on the Daemen campus, 4380 Main Street, in Amherst. This event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a discussion and light refreshments.
“The goal of the OffBeat Emporium is to change the system by which people furnish their homes,” said Samantha. “OffBeat Emporium was created with the idea that a person could get fun creative furniture with more character, and more originality that is made to last longer, for less money. We do this by taking secondhand and classic furniture and making it fresh and new again!”
In 2009 Samantha left Villa Maria College with an AS in graphic design, and transferred to Daemen. She graduated from Daemen with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design in 2011. The concept for the store grew from her senior graphic design project – incorporating her graphic design skills with sustainable practices, Sam reconditioned a dresser as part of the project.
“OffBeat Emporium sells furniture that was made in a day when things were built to last,” Samantha explained. “What sets us apart is that we transform the furniture into something fresh and new, and, most importantly, our pieces offer a lot of value for money. This is what’s becoming more and more known as the ‘OffBeat Movement’ and we are excited to be a part of it.”
Offbeat Emporium became a reality with assistance from Samantha’s business partner, Brandon Tallau. Brandon moved to Amherst, NY, when he was 13 years old. He attended the University at Buffalo, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Study, concentrating in film and video production; he now works in video production for the Buffalo Bisons. In talking about the idea of the OffBeat Emporium, Brandon and Samantha found that they felt so strongly about the concept that it didn't take long to turn it into a reality.
"Working together, with what I learned in graphic design and Brandon's background in media production, we have been able to brand the store all by ourselves. And, we would like to get involved in doing the same thing for other businesses in the future!"
Samantha points out that Offbeat Emporium carries a variety of reconditioned and repurposed furniture as well as gifts. She and Brandon invite anyone interested to stop by the store, located at 507 Elmwood Avenue. Or visit them online at www.OffbeatEmporium.com.
About Nancy Haberman Gacioch
Nancy Haberman Gacioch ’62 studied social studies and economics at the former Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College. Through a new lecture series that bears her name, Gacioch hopes to provide a significant incentive for students and others in the area of business entrepreneurship.
Widely known for their philanthropy in Buffalo and Erie County, Nancy and Bill Gacioch have had enormous success in creating a business that employs 300 people and provides housing for over 20,000 tenants around the country. National Property Management Associates (NPMA), now headquartered in Orchard Park, was founded by Bill Gacioch more than 45 years ago.