Three Minutes Across the Counter With Swan Bakery's Guy Gagliano

“Three Minutes Across the Counter” is a feature on Patch in which we chat with local business owners. If you would like to be featured, email ryan@patch.com with the name of your business.

Today we chat with Guy J. Gagliano, the owner of Swan Bakery, which is located at 15 S. Country Road in East Patchogue.

Patch: How did you get your first start in business?

Guy: I started working at a bakery when I was 15. When I was in high school I went into the BOCES program for baking, winning outstanding student baker. The owner of Benkerts Bakery offered me a job and after 20 years a chance came up and I bought Swan Bakery in February of 1993.

Patch: How did your parents influence you as a business owner?

Guy: My parents were very supportive of me going into business for myself. When the doors first opened at the bakery my own father who was 69, retired, and never worked a day in bakery was there helping me with whatever I needed.

Patch: How long have you lived here?

Guy: I moved to Long Island in 1963 from the Bronx.

Patch: What’s your favorite thing about living here?

Guy: I enjoy the idea that you can travel mere minutes in any direction and get whatever you need. The north and south shore are always a good place to go for entertainment.

Patch: What’s a business mistake you’ve made that later you were glad you did?

Guy: When I first bought the bakery I had a business partner. We always seemed to argue over simple issues and eventually I bought him out and became sole owner.

Patch: What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

Guy: Always follow your dreams and your heart. Make sure that the customers are always happy and have the best experience possible when they walk into my doors. Always support the community that you are in, in any way you can.

Patch: What advice would you give to a small business owner just starting out?

Guy: Always expect the unexpected. No matter how good a business plan you have problems WILL come up that you are not ready for. Learn from your mistakes to better yourself and your business. Talk to others in your field to get advice and recommendations.

Patch: What do you look for when you hire?

Guy: We look for people who have a neat appearance and have a good friendly personality. The workers are the reflection of how the business is received. Most of my own employees are recommended to me by people who have worked or currently do work for the bakery.