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SBDC Clients Dominate the SBA’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition

October 28, 2026

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently hosted its historic Million Dollar Pitch Competition—also known as the Patriot Pitch Competition—bringing together the most innovative and resilient small businesses from across the country. As part of the national Freedom 250 celebrations, a total prize pool of $1 million funded by Clover Network, Inc. was awarded to five exceptional companies.

We are incredibly proud to announce that the SBDC network left a massive footprint on the national stage. Nearly all of the top five finalists are long-term clients of America’s Small Business Development Centers, demonstrating how local mentorship and technical assistance translate directly into hyper-scale growth and national recognition.

Here is a closer look at the SBDC-assisted businesses that captured the attention of the judges—including Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia—and walked away with life-changing funding.

The SBDC Success Stories

🏆 Grand Prize Winner ($400,000)

Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc – Garner, Iowa

Long before Plas-Tech Tooling became a premier manufacturing entity in Iowa, founders Dean and Marcia Sonquist were entrepreneurs looking for a solid blueprint. They turned to the North Iowa Area SBDC, working closely with advisor Brook Boehmler. The SBDC helped them draft the initial, rock-solid business plan that successfully secured their very first bank loans. Decades later, that foundation powered them all the way to the top spot in the country, earning them the $400,000 grand prize from SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

🥈 2nd Place ($250,000)

Winton Machine Company – Suwanee, Georgia

Lisa and George Winton have built Winton Machine Company into a manufacturing powerhouse, but their scaling journey was supercharged by the University of Georgia SBDC. When the company wanted to expand globally, SBDC advisors guided them through the complex regulatory and contractual waters of their very first international trade contract with South Korea. Additionally, the Wintons utilized the SBDC’s specialized executive training programs like GrowSmart™ to continually refine their operations.

🎖️ 4th Place ($125,000)

VetPowered LLC – San Diego, California

For VetPowered, a veteran-owned advanced manufacturing firm, the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network has been what founder Hernán Luis y Prado explicitly calls a “battle-tested partner.” VetPowered utilized intensive 1-on-1 SBDC counseling to navigate the complex pathways of securing crucial SBA 504 and 7(a) loans. The SBDC also provided the critical legal and operational guidance needed to secure their 8(a) federal contracting certification, positioning them to win massive government projects.

🎖️ 5th Place ($75,000)

Compotech, Inc. – Brewer, Maine

Compotech, a defense manufacturer specialized in blast protection and composite materials, has long been recognized for its local economic impact. Their path to the national stage was paved by local advocacy; they were officially nominated for their regional SBA accolades by Jennifer Boutin, an advisor from the Maine SBDC network. Their $75,000 win highlights the deep, ongoing relationships between local SBDC advisors and the high-growth tech sectors they support.

Your Small Business is Next

The sweeping success of these companies at the Million Dollar Pitch Competition is proof that you don’t have to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone. Whether you are drafting a business plan like Plas-Tech Tooling once did, expanding globally like Winton Machine, or seeking federal certifications like VetPowered, your local SBDC provides the nocost consulting and low-cost training required to win.

The special broadcast event, hosted by Dean Cain, is currently available to stream on YouTube and Prime Video. Watch our incredible clients shine, and then take the next step for your own business.

Ready to write your own success story? Find your local SBDC advisors and resources today!

From Roadside Oasis to Retail Shelves: Stephanie Stuckey Brings Her Family’s Brand Home

October 21, 2026

With support from the UGA Small Business Development Center, Stephanie Stuckey is rebuilding the nearly 90-year-old brand her grandfather founded.

The Original American Road Trip Stop

For generations of American families, a Stuckey’s sign on the highway meant it was time to pull over. Founded in 1937 by W.S. Stuckey Sr., Stuckey’s was the first roadside retail chain in the country, a highway oasis offering a hot meal, a tank of gas, clean restrooms and a shelf full of kitschy souvenirs.

At its peak in the 1970s, the company operated over 350 stores in 40 states. It ran its own candy plant, distribution facility and trucking fleet, along with a billboard company that placed 4,000 signs along America’s highways. A road trip was not complete without Stuckey’s signature pecan log roll.

The founder eventually sold the company, and after decades of outside ownership, the brand declined. Stores closed, and many of the iconic buildings were left empty along the roads they once anchored. By the time Stuckey’s came up for sale, only about a dozen original stores remained.

A Call to Come Home

Stephanie Stuckey had built her career in public service. She served for many years as a Georgia state representative, practiced as an environmental lawyer and led sustainability efforts for the City of Atlanta. Then, seven years ago, she received a phone call: The company her grandfather had started was in distress and up for sale.

Stuckey invested her own life savings to bring the family business back. “It has been fun, but it’s been really hard,” she said. “Anyone who runs a small business knows that.”

From Roadside to Retail

With only a handful of stores left, Stuckey knew the brand needed a new way to reach customers. She moved the company into manufacturing and shifted its focus from the roadside to the retail shelf.

“Businesses are all about making changes, and that’s the beauty of being a smaller business,” she said. “You can be a little more nimble.”

Today, Stuckey’s produces flavored pecan snacks and candies and sells directly to retailers ranging from independent mom-and-pop shops to larger chains, with partners such as Food Lion and Bellews Market. Sales have grown from $2 to 8 million. The company works hand-in-hand with Georgia pecan growers and shellers to bring fresh, Georgia-grown products to market. Pecans are the only snack nut native to the United States, and Stuckey proudly calls them “the patriotic nut.”

Stronger Together

Not long after she took the helm, Stuckey received another phone call, this time from Steve Newton, a consultant with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in DeKalb County. Newton knew her father and had read about her plans for the company.

“He just called me one day and said, ‘Hey, I know your dad. I read about what you’re doing. How can I help?'” Stuckey recalled.

Stuckey is quick to credit the network of people behind the brand’s revival. “We could not do this without the support of SBDC, without our customers, without those retailers that sell our product, without the growers,” she said. “It’s a whole network, and it’s a network of other small businesses.”

That network reaches well beyond a single company. Every bag of Stuckey’s pecans supports Georgia farmers, shellers and the independent retailers who stock them, keeping dollars and jobs in American communities. In the 1970s, Stuckey’s built community one roadside stop at a time. Today, it is rebuilding that community through partnerships.

“The entrepreneurial journey can be very lonely,” Stuckey said. “But you’re not alone.”

Her advice to new business owners reflects that same spirit:

Build a small, deliberate network of personal advisors who are truly on your side.
Watch your cash flow closely
Treat every hard situation as a chance to learn something.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 90 Years of Stuckey's

As Stuckey’s approaches its 90th anniversary in 2027, the company is positioning itself for its next chapter. Stuckey’s is moving its manufacturing to a facility operated through a joint venture partnership, a change that will reduce overhead and strengthen the business for long-term growth.

Technology is part of that plan. Stuckey already uses AI for production planning and is exploring how it can streamline inventory management next. “If you’re not using AI, you’re way behind the curve,” she said.

From its first roadside stop in 1937 to today’s store shelves, Stuckey’s has always been part of the American story. With a committed entrepreneur at the wheel and the right advisors in her corner, that story is far from over.

Iowa SBDC Client Advances as SBA Patriot Pitch Competition Semifinalist

July 29, 2026

Plas-Tech Tooling of Garner represents Iowa among the nation's top 10 small businesses

America’s SBDC Iowa is proud to recognize Plas-Tech Tooling of Garner, Iowa, for being named one of 10 semifinalists in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Patriot Pitch Competition.

Featuring a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover), the national competition highlights eligible small businesses whose innovation, leadership, and growth reflect the promise of the American Dream. Out of 1,182 small businesses that submitted applications from every state across the nation, Plas-Tech Tooling advanced through district and regional judging to earn a place among the competition’s 10 semifinalists.

“The Patriot Pitch Competition is a celebration of 250 years of American free enterprise and the entrepreneurs carrying forward that legacy for our next 250 years,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Out of 1,182 small businesses that submitted pitches from every state across the nation, these 10 semifinalists emerged from a highly competitive process by demonstrating the ingenuity and willingness to take risks that drive economic and job growth and define American enterprise at its best. Their outsized impact reflects not only the contribution small businesses make across the country today, but also the role they are playing in driving America’s next era of growth and opportunity. We are excited to see them advance and compete for a place in the live finale in Washington this September.”

Founded by Dean and Marcia Sonquist in 1993, Plas-Tech Tooling began as a one-person operation working out of the founders’ garage, specializing in injection mold building and repair for manufacturers in the Garner area. Over the years, Plas-Tech has expanded to more than 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space on 15 acres and employs over 50 people.

Plas-Tech Tooling is a technology-driven advanced manufacturing company specializing in precision machining, injection mold design, mold building, and plastic injection molding. By combining innovative engineering, advanced CAD/CAM systems, rapid prototyping, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, they design, build, and produce high-quality custom plastic components and tooling solutions that help drive American industry forward. In addition, Plas-Tech Tooling provides production machining of plastic and metal components, guiding customers through the product design process, developing rapid prototypes, and utilizing advanced CAD/CAM and SOLIDWORKS technologies. Their quality assurance and reverse engineering programs are further enhanced through the use of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

Beginning in 1995, America’s SBDC Iowa has been proud to walk alongside Plas-Tech and the Sonquist family, to provide individualized business counseling, as they have grown and scaled this critical business into successful pillar of their community. The efforts of America’s SBDC Iowa helped Plas-Tech secure additional capital, increase revenues, and create new jobs.

America’s SBDC Iowa congratulates Plas-Tech Tooling on this national recognition and wishes the company continued success as it advances in the Patriot Pitch Competition.

For more information on America’s SBDC Iowa programs or services, call (515) 294-2030 or visit, https://www.facebook.com/AmericasSBDCIowa, or https://www.instagram.com/iowasbdc/.

North Dakota SBDC Helps North 9 Bar & Grill Revive Rural Community Gathering Spaces

July 22, 2026

Brian Gullickson describes himself as an entrepreneur at heart. For years, he envisioned owning a bar and restaurant that would serve as more than a business. He wanted to create a place where people gather, connect, and build community.

In 2023, he purchased and restored a bar in Kathryn, North Dakota. Through that experience, he saw firsthand how important local gathering places are in small rural towns. When historic bars and restaurants close, communities lose more than a business. They lose a place to meet.

That realization led him to look for additional communities where a bar and grill could fill a meaningful need. His search brought him to Valley City, where he took over operations of North 9 Bar & Grill, formerly a country club facility, in March 2025. After renovating the interior and stabilizing operations, he purchased the building outright in December 2025. North 9 is now open year-round, providing a consistent dining and gathering space for residents and visitors.

The restaurant offers a comfort food menu built around familiar, satisfying meals, paired with a welcoming bar atmosphere. For Gullickson, the most rewarding part of ownership is the people. He values providing local employment, interacting with customers, and building relationships that strengthen the community.

Planning Around Real Community Demand

Although Gullickson brings a background in marketing and prior ownership experience, he knew expansion required careful analysis. Through his lender, he connected with ND SBDC and worked with Southeast Center Director Paul Smith.

Together, they developed a formal business plan, completed market research and data analysis, and built financial projections to support financing. The process focused on understanding what services were already available in the area and identifying gaps North 9 could realistically fill. That clarity was instrumental in securing bank financing and gave Gullickson a stronger understanding of operational expectations.

A Model for Rural Revitalization

Running a restaurant in a smaller community presents challenges. Gullickson notes that finding reliable employees has been one of the most significant hurdles. Even so, he remains focused on steady operations and long-term sustainability.

Community response has been encouraging. Residents show up for specials, events, and entertainment. Many have expressed appreciation for the building’s facelift and the renewed investment in the property.

North 9 is not an isolated project. With assistance from the ND SBDC, Gullickson has since repeated the process in Fort Ransom, renovating and reopening another rural bar and grill. His broader vision centers on preserving the history and character of these gathering places while updating them with thoughtful improvements and restored vintage elements.

When asked what success depends on, his answer is direct: people. “Without customers and employees, you don’t have a business,” he said.

His advice to other entrepreneurs reflects his own experience. Understand the market. Identify what is missing. Do not get distracted by ego or aesthetics alone. A business succeeds when it meets a genuine community need.

For Gullickson, that mission continues. Through North 9 and future projects, he is working to ensure rural communities maintain places where neighbors can sit down, share a meal, and stay connected.

Safie Specialty Foods: How Michigan SBDC Helped a Family Business Expand Operations & Exports

July 8, 2026

Meet Mary Safie, president and owner of Safie Specialty Foods Company, Inc., a true go-getter and excellent entrepreneur who’s turning a family legacy into a modern manufacturing powerhouse.

More than just a job, this business is a century-long tradition of Michigan agriculture and pickled perfection. Located in Chesterfield Township, Macomb County, Safie Specialty Foods has expanded from a home-based startup—in the very house Mary’s grandfather began his business during the Great Depression—to a thriving enterprise, focusing on clean, natural, hand-packed specialty pickled vegetables while working with and giving back to the community. Her tenacious spirit and visionary leadership have been the driving forces behind the company’s incredible growth.

As the business grew, Mary and her dedicated team knew they needed strategic support. She relies on the exceptional talents of Chuck Drogosch, who runs Operations, and the incredible efforts of the Human Resources team, including Theresa M. Pavone and Sandra Collias. Their collective expertise and commitment are vital to the company’s success and expansion.

Seeking direction, Mary and her team turned to the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development team, who connected them with the Michigan SBDC and Business Growth Consultant Julie Oldham.

Julie began with a comprehensive assessment, helping Safie’s establish a stronger foundation and answer critical questions about growth, mission, and how the SBDC could help them achieve their goals. Julie’s extensive background in food & beverage, export and strategic analysis was instrumental in several key areas:

Financial Analysis: Securing crucial information to conduct a financial analysis to obtain a loan.
Export & International Growth: Assisting with export knowledge, connecting the company with the export community, and helping with foreign labeling compliance and landed costs analysis.
Market Expansion: Strategizing on gaining new accounts both domestically and internationally.
Digital Presence: Enhancing the company’s online visibility with domestic and international Search Engine Optimization (SEO) reporting.

The Safie’s partnership with Julie and the Michigan SBDC has been a game-changer. The result? A significant increase in revenue and staff expansion. Mary purchased necessary equipment, added an entire shift, and successfully branched into a new territory: food service (institutional sales). This division, primarily focused on peppers—an item Mary’s family was the largest U.S. producer of decades ago—is now a major area of growth, with a new dedicated production line being installed.

Julie shared that she has had the wonderful pleasure of being able to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people, including Mary, Chuck, Theresa and Sandra.

Mary extended her deepest gratitude to the Michigan SBDC, stating they were “instrumental in our foundation” and helped Safie’s “to grow and to achieve the success we have had.”

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