Community Corner

Names in the News: White Plains Entrepreneur Finds Sweetness in Giving

Nicholas Primavera is looking to raise money to help local families with the "2013 Women of Westchester" calendar and proceeds from his latest book.

Giving is not only the right thing to do, but it’s a way of life for Nicholas Primavera.

“I’ve known all my life I wanted to something with charity,” said the 25-year-old entrepreneur. “I just like working with and helping families.” 

The lifelong White Plains resident’s knack for philanthropy began as a student in the White Plains School District collecting funds for UNICEF’s vaccination campaign. Primavera’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked in 1997 with “Sweet Nick’s” lemonade stand, where he sold soft drinks on the street after school. He would later combine his two talents in his college years.

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“I had to do my capstone for a bachelors degree at Mercy [College] and I didn’t want to do what they wanted me to do, so they let me start a business model and make a website,” said Primavera, who has a bachelors degree in marketing and masters degree in internet business from Mercy College.

From that project Primavera started his two websites sweethandbagdeals.com and sweetlingeriedeals.com, which sells handbags and lingerie.

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Some of the profits from the websites go towards benefiting Sweet Nick’s Inc., which sells various novelties, home items, handbags, belt buckles, lingerie, as well offer a wider variety of services; some of which include: birthday parties, business consulting, goodie bag creation and more.

“All my papers in business school had to do with a charity, they thought [his professors] that I was crazy,” said Primavera, who volunteers annually as an election poll worker. “I don’t know it’s [giving] is just something I do.”

In the past, proceeds from Sweet Nick’s Inc. have gone toward purchasing holiday gifts for families through Catholic Relief Services, and children at local children’s hospitals. Primavera—who has taught Sunday School at Our Lady of Sorrows for almost a decade—also takes the time to help out in his community and spends time each week visiting with 82-year-old former priest Richard Piacentino at Primavera’s Eastchester office.

“He’s [Primavera] always very nice and extremely helpful with information,” said Mount Vernon resident Richard Rifkin, 58, who is Piacentino’s uncle. “He’s always courteous and helpful and willing to listen. He also helps my uncle who has a memory problem. He reminds him of different issues, and has lunch with him to make sure he eats properly.”

Primavera said he is looking to expand his charitable works with his newest endeavor—the “2013 Women Of Westchester” calendar, featuring “real” local women, including mothers and business owners. Businesses will have the opportunity to advertise in and distribute the calendar.

“I’m trying to do more charity work and raise money to help families,” said Primavera.

Profits from the calendar will go towards purchasing food and gifts for needy families. Anyone who it interested in being in the calendar or sponsoring it can contact: 1-855-BUY-NICK.

“My goal is to show others that there are still caring people in this word and warm their hearts, as well as put a smile on their faces,” said Primavera. 

The 2004 White Plains High School graduate is also donating profits from his first book “365 Days in a ‘Normal’ Year, 365 Ways ‘You’ Get Screwed” a collection of unfortunate everyday occurrences over an entire year—such as, “you go to the shower, and the water is brown” or “work as a team, end up doing all the work.”

“I get screwed every day of my life—I really do, it’s unbelievable,” said Primavera. “There is never a dull moment in my life.”

Proceeds from the book, which can be purchased on Amazon.com, will go towards helping a family go on a mini-vacation or send a child to summer camp. Primavera says he hopes to continue to expand his charitable endeavors to eventually fulfill his lifelong dream. 

“I want to have a place where people can go, where they feel like they are welcome, can shower and have meals,” said Primavera. “A place that feels like home, that’s my goal.”

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