The ancestors of 2014 SUNY Oswego graduate Cara Hill Kaczor have called the lands of Central New York home for thousands of years. Having grown up on the Onondaga Nation, she knew she wanted to build something of her own while staying connected to the region that shaped her.

Today, she is the owner and manager of KB Boutiques in Marcellus and Skaneateles, a retail business focused on providing women across the region with a comfortable, affordable and confidence-building shopping experience.

“I chose to stay in the CNY region to establish my brand based on what suits Central New Yorkers in a fashion sense,” Kaczor said. “Staying close to my hometown helps me maintain a balance between family and work.”

That connection to place and people is a defining element of her business. At KB Boutique, Kaczor has created a space where customers feel empowered and valued.

“My work as an owner of a boutique impacts the community by offering a place to shop with confidence –- in yourself and in spending your hard-earned money on quality items,” she said. “I also help the economy by providing jobs to several young women looking to earn money throughout high school and college.”

Educational ecosystem

Kaczor has seen firsthand how CNY’s college ecosystem contributes to the vitality of the region. The steady flow of students and families helps sustain small businesses and allows for faster inventory turnover. She also appreciates the region’s distinctive four seasons.

“One season may last a little longer than we’d like, but then again, I went to school in Oswego,” she joked. “But we have four beautiful seasons to style all of our beautiful customers for. The presence of higher education institutions helps businesses like mine, as well as our customers.”

While she looks forward to future collaborations with local colleges, Kaczor is already passionate about economic education. She believes it is vital for students to understand how local spending allows small businesses to support individuals and community causes.

“I believe it is very important to educate students on how the economy works in a large and small scale,” she said. “It could help them understand the impact of more local spending, so small businesses can further support individuals and financially support local causes.”

Navigating a landscape dominated by online giants, Kaczor leans into what makes her business unique: the human element.

“I see the increasing reliance on online shopping and big monopolies as a challenge,” she said. “I focus on positive environments and the customer experience to help consumers differentiate between the two experiences.”

Kaczor credits her SUNY Oswego education with giving her the tools and confidence to run her business independently.

“SUNY Oswego helped me in many different areas,” she said. “As a graduate in accounting, I’ve been able to run my businesses' financials solely, which has allowed me to be confident in making further business decisions.”

Today, she continues to build her business in the region she proudly calls home.

“This is my home and been my ancestors’ home for thousands of years,” Kaczor said. “It means a lot to give back to my community in any way I can.”