4/27/2018 12:00:00 PM
As part of National Small Business Week, April 29-May 5, 2018, the U.S. Small Business Administration highlights the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories through a series of mostly digital events, like Twitter chats, award ceremonies, and hackathons. Find out more.
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, recognizing the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.
More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three jobs in the US each year.
The Minnesota Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) help entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses. In 2017 the Minnesota SBDC provided 35,000 professional and consulting hours at no cost to more than 3,400 Minnesota entrepreneurs and businesses.
Client businesses of the Minnesota SBDCs created 215 new small businesses, accessed $125 million in new capital investments, created or saved more than 4,600 jobs and grew revenues by more than $72 million.
Minnesota’s small business award winners will be honored at the Small Business Awards Week luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 11 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis-Park Place. For more information.
The 2018 award winners are:
Small Business Person of the Year – Brenda Nolby, Jam Hops Gymnastics Factory, Inc.
Encore Entrepreneur of the Year – Mark Johnson, M D Johnson Consulting, dba Artisan Restoration LLC
Family Owned Small Business of the Year – Bert Kissoondath, Randy's Booth Company, Inc.
Minority Owned Small Business of the Year – Sergio Espinoza, E & H Piping, LLC
Minority Small Business Champion – Mary Lundeen, UMD Center for Economic Development
Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award – Barry Kirchoff, Central Minnesota Region SBDC
Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year – Clint Kruger, Preferred Electric, Inc.
Veteran Small Business Champion – Dennis Welch, Frandsen Bank & Trust
Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award – Sarah Pike, WomenVenture
Women in Business Champion – Marnie Ochs-Raleigh, Evolve Systems
Women Owned Small Business of the Year – Karen Schaar, Roca, Climbing and Fitness, Incorporated
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Katie Steller, Steller Hair Company
District Director's Award – Gail Ivers, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce
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