Starting a business is not an easy endeavor, so staying in business is worth of a celebration. Not only did Haven Jiu Jitsu celebrate their 3rd anniversary on September 8, we took the opportunity to present owner Ben Tallini with the 2023 Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award.

Awarded since 1988, the Business Person(s) of the Year honors a GBCC member or members who have demonstrated integrity, accomplishments in business, and business, civic, and/or corporate leadership.

In addition to owning Haven Jiu Jitsu and teaching classes, Ben also founded Haven Initiative, which uses law enforcement officers trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to assist in coaching at-risk children in Syracuse to improve community relations, provide positive role models, and enhance relationships between the youth and the officers.

Ben was nominated by many of his students. One nominator said in their statement of support: “Ben has not just built a successful business, he has also built a community with hundreds of members in a short time span. Being the person that he is, Ben will credit no one but the members themselves for creating this strong, supportive community but without him, the community would not be what it is.”

After we presented our award, Jimmy Oliver with the Syracuse Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) presented Ben with the Kids, Cops, and Communities Award in honor of exemplary participation and leadership essential to PAL success.

Congratulations, Ben!

Thank you to Cindy with PAC-B TV for taking photos.