What is National Small Business Week (NSBW)?
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical 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 new jobs in the U.S. each year.
As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
Twitter Chat: Top Tips and Resources to Become Loan Ready
In celebration of National Small Business Week, please join Venturize and America’s SBDC for a Twitter chat — “Top Tips and Resources to Become Loan Ready” — on Tuesday, May 7, at 2 pm ET. This chat will cover financial planning and business strategy topics that a small business owner needs to understand before seeking financing. The conversation will cover issues like understanding your credit score and its relation to your small business, options for financing if you are unable to secure a bank loan, how to fuel long-term growth, and more.
The chat will last 45 minutes to an hour. If you would like to participate, please RSVP. If you reply before April 23, we will include you in our promotional efforts. We will also share questions in advance with organizations and individuals that RSVP. A sample promo tweet and shareable image will be included with the questions. We hope you will join us!
RSVP Now!
NSBW Awards
During National Small Business Week, SBA recognizes outstanding partners, entrepreneurs and small business owners from all across the 50 states and U.S. territories. Award categories include awards to SBA Resource Partners; Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery; Exporter of the Year; Federal Procurement Awards; and Small Business Persons of the Year.
Meet the National Winners!
★ Ohio SBDC at Cleveland State University – Export Assistance – Small Business Exporter of the Year, Jamie Stillman (Founder) and Julie Robbins (CEO), EarthQuaker Devices
★ America’s SBDC Arizona Network, Yavapai College SBDC – Small Business of the Year, Jeffery Lee and Jennifer Lynn Herbert, Owners, Superstition Meadery, LLC
★ America’s SBDC Arizona Network – 8(a) Graduate of the Year, Paul A. Smiley, Founder & President, Sonoran Technology and Professional Services
★ Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Phoenix Award for Outstanding Small Business Disaster Recovery, Stephanie Vitori, President, Cheeseburger Baby
★ America’s SBDC Arizona Network, Cochise College SBDC – SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award
★ Ohio SBDC at Youngstown State University – National SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award
District, State & Regional Winners!
Connecticut SBDC – Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year (State Winner), Mike Westkamper, President, WEI, Inc.
Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida – Minority Owned Smal Business Person of the Year (District and State Winner), Courtney Powell, President, Ace Applications, LLC
Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida – Woman Owned Small Business Person of the Year (District and State Winner), Wendy Romeu, Founder and Owner, Alluvionic
Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida – Veteran Owned Small Business Person of the Year (South Florida District Winner), Donald Williams, CEO, Widescope Consultig and Contracting Services
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year (Region 4 Winner), Jacquin Gilchrist, President and Managing Attorney, The Gilchirst Law Firm
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Small Business Person of the Year (South Florida District Winner), Jonathan Brinkman, Owner, BlackSky Technologies
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Exporter of the Year (District and State Winner), Gloria Martinez, Owner, Neo Broadband, Inc.
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Minority Owned Small Business Person of the Year (South Florida District Winner), Timothy Dunlap, Director, CEPODS, LLC
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Young Entrepreneur Small Business Person of the Year (District and State Winner), Mari Angeles Rubio, Owner, Casa Gioia
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Community Partner of the Year (District and State Winner), Accion East of Miami
Florida SBDC at Florida International University – Small Business Advocate of the Year (District and State Winner), Samuel Blatt, Economic Development Manager, City of Miami
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Small Business Person of the Year (District and State Winner), Jeff Turbeville, CEO, Sunshine Peanut Company
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Veteran Owned Small Business Person of the Year (District and State Winner), Frank Brewer, President, Alpha Omega Global, LLC
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Rural Business Owner of the Year (District and State Winner), Dallas Hart, President, Hart 2 Hart Academy, Inc.
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Woman Owned Small Business Person of the Year (North Florida District Winner), Laurie Morgan Lee, President, Elevate Business Law, PA
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Young Entrepreneur of the Year (North Florida District Winner), Brandon Stallings, CEO, SmartBox
Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida – Community Partner of the Year (North Florida District Winner), City of Jacksonville, Small and Emerging Business Program
Massachusetts SBDC Government Sales Program – SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award (State and Region Winner)
Massachusetts SBDC, Central and Western Mass Export Center – Small Business Exporter of the Year (District, State and Region Winner), Optim LLC
Massachusetts PTAC – Veteran Owned Business of the Year (District and State Winner), Robert J. Brown, President, Broco Oil
Massachusetts SBDC Southeast Regional Office – Homebased Business of the Year (District and State Winner), Stephanie Thompson, Owner, Warrior Runners
Massachusetts SBDC Berkshire Regional Office – Woman Owned Business of the Year (District and State Winner), Suzanne Merritt, President, Lenox Fit
Massachusetts SBDC, Norteast Mass Regional Center – Minority Owned Business of the Year (District and State Winner), Alma Moreno, Owner, El Huipil
Nevada SBDC – Nevada Microenterprise of the Year (State Winner), Denette Braud, Owner, The Funnel Cake Cafe
New Yor SBDC Staten Island – Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year (District Winner), David Fazio, President, DeVille Auto Collision, Inc.
Ohio SBDC at Hamilton County – Small Business Person of the Year (State Winner), Kristen Bailey, Owner, Sweets and Meats
Wyoming SBDC Network – Small Business Person of the Year (State Winner), Ryan Gregory, President, Wyoming Roofing, LLC
Wyoming SBDC Network – Spirit of Wyoming Award (State Winner), Dawn Stevenson and Kyleen Stevenson-Braxton, Owners, Fashion Crossroads, Inc.
Wyoming SBDC Network – 8(a) Graduate of the Year (State & Region Winner), Stacy and Devin Bair, Owners, Bairco Construction, Inc.
Participate in this free, online conference to listen to practiced advice on current business strategies, meet other business owners, and chat with industry experts! The Virtual Conference offers all the best parts of an in-person conference, but without the hassle of traveling. Learn more.
Friday to Sunday, May 3 to 5, Washington, D.C. SBA and Visa invite you to bring your ideas and your laptop to spend a weekend solving real business challenges as part of the kickoff of the National Small Business Week 2019. Register here.