What’s Your Story?
We buy and make decisions based on emotion.
Authentic storytelling can emotionally connect you and your small business to the community.
Your business is unique because nobody else has your story.
Own your uniqueness—tell your story.
Shovel the Sidewalk Philosophies
Branding = Everything
It’s not just advertising that affects your brand. Everything you do, every touch point a person has with your business—it all impacts your brand. If you don’t shovel the sidewalk to your business on a snowy day your customers carry that experience with them.
Message Before Delivery
What you say is more important than where you say it. If your advertising message is poor then the advertising medium is irrelevant. Clear the path by writing a good message first.
Advertising On Brand
An off-brand advertisement can hurt. Make sure you shovel the sidewalk by writing advertisements that are on target with the direction of your brand. You can’t be what you’re not. Your uniqueness is your best selling point. Own what will make you successful.
Get to Know Us
Branding = Everything
Message Before Delivery
Advertising On Brand
Steve Fortunato
Founder & President
Second-favorite quote: “Consistency is the hallmark of greatness.” – Jim Tressel, President, Youngstown State University
Favorite quote: “Consistency is the hallmark of greatness, unless you’re consistently bad.” – Cherisse Fortunato, Wife, Mother, Event Coordinator, Social Media Expert, Realist
Random facts about me: Bat left, throw right… two idols, Don Mattingly and Rick Jeanneret…top priority is my family, wife, Cherisse and two daughters, Ellie and Jules…Mike Tyson once saved me from getting beat up.
Contact Steve:
[email protected]
Direct: 716.465.5131
Maria Batt
Director of Client Relations and Design
Favorite quote: “If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room.” – Anita Roddick
Second-favorite quote: “While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
– Jack Kerouac
Random facts about me: I view chefs the way many view professional athletes. Eric Ripert would be my Michael Jordan. My favorite thing to do is to eat around Buffalo with my husband Jeremy. I have two kids, Teagan and Rocco, and live with the best dogs in the universe, Mr. Louie Valloucche, and Gordon Alfredo.
Favorite cocktail: The East Ender at Buffalo Proper.
Contact Maria:
[email protected]
Direct: 716.909.2032
Cherisse Fortunato
Brand Strategist
I watched Shovel the Sidewalk develop from an idea talked about at the kitchen table into a real, live company. Over the years, my role has increased, and I love being a part of this team. It’s truly gratifying when we work with a client to help bring its company brand to life. Every business has a story. Every business has a why. It just takes the right words to tell it.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my husband and two girls, working out, cooking up new recipes, and singing karaoke at any given chance.
Contact Cherisse:
[email protected]
Direct: 716.807.9776
Jamie Catania
Account Executive
Face to face is the purest form of communication because there’s less of a chance of misunderstandings versus text messages and email. I take these philosophies and apply them to my marketing strategies to create authentic storytelling for businesses to help them grow and learn from their audience.
Favorite quote: “You don’t have to be great to get started. You just have to get started to be great.” – Les Brown
Random Facts About Me: For the past few years, I’ve been practicing Judo and Muay Thai and have competed in tournaments. I also enjoy designing freshwater aquariums and breeding ghost shrimp with the help of Youtube. Since high school, I’ve collected vinyl from many different genres and have produced my own music through the use of computer software and drum machines.
Contact Jamie:
[email protected]
Direct: 716.949.0063

Shovel The Sidewalk, LLC.
P.O. Box 154, Clarence Center, NY 14032 | 716-465-5131
© 2012 All rights reserved.