Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community.
Our spotlight today is on Frank Bastone.
Business: Pinnacle Trips
Owner: Frank Bastone
Website: www.pinnacletrips.com
Address: North Salem, NY 10560
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My target market are busy professionals and active retirees. Since they have achieved the "Pinnacle" of their careers and success, they deserve to experience lifetime vacation memories. Our staff will plan their dream trips. Our motto is: The Vacation Therapists - We Plan You Relax!
Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
I have been living in the Somers/North Salem area for about 35 years. It is a great place to raise a family, build my business and serve the community.
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Briefly, what business are you in?
Travel Consulting
What's the most difficult moment or challenge you've faced as a business owner?
My biggest challenge would be the transition from a corporate IT executive to being an entrepreneur.
Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
Absolutely not, I love what I am doing in making my clients dream travel plans into realities
What's been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
The positive experiences and feedback received from my first few clients. One family went on their first cruise which they loved and another client family witnessed their daughter's marriage proposal in the Bahamas!
What's the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
A few clients who are corporate executive and in the medical field recommended that I arrange corporate meetings and seminars at sea. My business has now expanded into the event management space and the response for this unique concept has been tremendous!
How do you deal with difficult customers?
In my early career, I was in retail for several years and had to deal with unsatisfied customers. Those experiences enabled me to appreciate the customer's point of view and resolve issues with mutual respect and agreement.
How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
My business is very involved in the community. I am a board member of the North SalemChamber of Commerce. We provide college scholarships to our high school seniors. Also, my business is an active participant of several community groups and charities in the area. We're also a member of the Somers, Mahopac, Ridgefield, Danbury, and Manhattan Chambers of Commerce.
The plan behind this new series at Patch is to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.
This is as much about supporting local businesses as it is about celebrating the places and faces that make our community special.
Here's a simple form where local business owners can answer a few quick questions to be part of this ongoing feature.
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