Welcome to WNY Thrive LLC

Published on December 4, 2024

Hello, I’m Ken Lockwood, the founder of WNY Thrive LLC, a community-based business in Orchard Park, NY. Along with my fiancée Lori, we run this initiative to support local enterprises, raise funds for charities, and spread goodwill throughout Western New York.

Our Story

WNY Thrive was born out of a life-changing experience in 2020. I felt a strong calling to create a platform that supports local businesses and fosters a sense of community and generosity. Unlike many large groups, we encourage positive self-promotion of local businesses. Our community members frequently visit to discover products, services, charities, and to network with like-minded individuals.

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Welcome to WNY Thrive LLC
Welcome to WNY Thrive LLC

Hello, I’m Ken Lockwood, the founder of WNY Thrive LLC, a community-based business in Orchard Park, NY. Along with my fiancée Lori, we run this initiative to support local enterprises, raise funds for charities, and spread goodwill throughout Western New York.

Our Story

WNY Thrive was born out of a life-changing experience in 2020. I felt a strong calling to create a platform that supports local businesses and fosters a sense of community and generosity. Unlike many large groups, we encourage positive self-promotion of local businesses. Our community members frequently visit to discover products, services, charities, and to network with like-minded individuals.

Join Our Facebook Group
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Starting at
Free
$

Hello, I’m Ken Lockwood, the founder of WNY Thrive LLC, a community-based business in Orchard Park, NY. Along with my fiancée Lori, we run this initiative to support local enterprises, raise funds for charities, and spread goodwill throughout Western New York.

Our Story

WNY Thrive was born out of a life-changing experience in 2020. I felt a strong calling to create a platform that supports local businesses and fosters a sense of community and generosity. Unlike many large groups, we encourage positive self-promotion of local businesses. Our community members frequently visit to discover products, services, charities, and to network with like-minded individuals.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to provide the local community with the resources necessary to make Western New York the best community on the planet. We believe in the power of community and the impact of collective efforts.

Our Achievements

Since 2022, WNY Thrive has raised over $15,000 for various causes, including cancer research support through the 11 Day Power Play, benefiting organizations like Roswell Park, Make-A-Wish, Camp Good Days, Oishei Children’s Hospital, and Kaely’s Kindness. We’ve hosted fundraisers at notable venues such as Hofbräuhaus Buffalo and The Roycroft and participated in numerous community-based networking and market events. Additionally, we have helped thousands of small business owners and non-profits in WNY connect, build partnerships, grow each other’s businesses, share lessons learned, and enhance each other’s brands.

Community Feedback

WNY Thrive LLC has garnered a wealth of positive feedback from its members, reflecting the significant impact it has on the local community. Here are some highlights:

  • Community Support
    • “WNY Thrive has been a game-changer for my small business. The support and promotion I’ve received here are incredible!”
    • “This group is amazing! The networking opportunities and the sense of community are unmatched. Thank you, Ken, for creating this platform!”
    • “In 2022, 30% of my business came from the WNY Thrive group. It’s been an invaluable resource for growth.”
  • Milestone Celebrations
    • “Congratulations to our friends at WNY Thrive for hitting almost 13,000 members! Thank you for everything you do for Western New York and helping businesses like mine grow and succeed.”
    • “Reaching nearly 13,000 members is a testament to the positive impact WNY Thrive has on our community. Proud to be a part of this group!”
  • Networking Events
    • “The ‘Network For a Cause’ events are fantastic. It’s great to connect with other local business owners while supporting important causes.”
    • “I always look forward to the networking events. They are well-organized and provide valuable opportunities to grow my business.”
  • Business Growth
    • “Thanks to WNY Thrive, my business has seen a significant increase in customers. The support and exposure from this group are invaluable!”
    • “Joining WNY Thrive was one of the best decisions for my business. The networking opportunities and community support have helped us grow beyond expectations.”
    • “In 2024, I generated $30K in business directly from leads that came from the group. The impact has been tremendous.”
  • Positive Impact
    • “WNY Thrive has been a fantastic platform for promoting my services. The positive feedback and referrals from group members have been amazing.”
    • “This group has provided my business with the visibility and connections needed to thrive in a competitive market. I’m grateful for the support and opportunities.”
    • “I received 8 months of appointments based on a review left in the group about my services. The community’s support is incredible.”
  • Community Engagement
    • “The events and initiatives organized by WNY Thrive have not only boosted my business but also strengthened my ties with the local community.”
    • “Being part of WNY Thrive has opened so many doors for my business. The community’s encouragement and support are truly unmatched.”

Reach and Engagement

Our community is thriving, with nearly 13,000 members. Some of our posts have reached an astonishing 100,000 people, showcasing the incredible engagement and reach of our group. WNY Thrive is a public group, allowing visitors who are not required to join. We simply ask that their contributions support Western New York in a positive way. Since 2023, we’ve had almost 5,000 visitors come to our community seeking support. Our members include WNY transplants who love to continue supporting our community and stay in touch. We have members from over 15 different countries, with two out of three members being female. Every single town and city in Western New York is represented in the group.

Media Recognition

WNY Thrive has been featured in numerous articles and on the news, highlighting our efforts to support local businesses and charitable causes. This media coverage has helped us reach a wider audience and further our mission.

Future Vision

My goal is to convert WNY Thrive from an LLC to a non-profit soon, while putting together a board of directors. I’m not in it for monetary gains whatsoever. I’m in it to help the community and leave behind a legacy. When I met Logan from Brass Ring in 2023, I quickly discovered that he shared the same values and had a genuine interest in helping the community. The work he has done with me in partnership to grow the brand of WNY Thrive has been nothing less than remarkable and deeply appreciated.

Personal Achievements

In addition to my work with WNY Thrive, my daughter Hannah and I have participated in the 11 Day Power Play since 2017. We have led a team of young hockey players, raising over $125,000 for their cause. I am also proud to have received the Volunteer of the Year award from this organization, which is a significant personal achievement.

It Takes a Village

A huge recognition goes to the team behind the scenes who make the group what it is: Logan Benjamin, Lori Coffey, Brie LaPrell, Kerry Martino, Lina Clark-Cammarata, Suni Vogel-Stachura, Christine O’Reilly, Patrick McGregor, Jennifer Rae, Steve Dorner, and Jennifer Subjeck-Fedus. Their dedication and hard work are the backbone of WNY Thrives success.

Join Us

We invite you to join us in our mission to support local businesses and make Western New York a better place for everyone. Whether you’re a business owner looking to promote your services, a consumer seeking local products, or someone who wants to contribute to charitable causes, WNY Thrive is the community for you.

Together, let’s thrive and make a difference in Western New York!

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