OKSBDC clients Brett Bain and Brian Edwards, Co-Founders of Fair Wind, LLC, have been named 2015 Small Business Person of the Year, according to the Oklahoma District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The Lawton business was assisted by the OKSBDC International Trade Center Advisor Justin Hazzard, located at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade and Development at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater. Hazzard assisted Fair Wind with improved import capabilities and acquiring new capital for heavy machinery.
“We want to offer our congratulations to Fair Wind on their selection as the Small Business Person of the Year and pleased we could provide services through OKSBDC that could enhance their ability to utilize their domestic and international market while expanding business,” said State Director Bill Carter. “This is just an example of the high level of expertise and experience our OKSBDC staff provides to our clients and indicative of the difference we can make for a small business.”
Brian Edwards, President and Co-Founder had this to say about OKSBDC, “We have found OKSBDC to be a great resource for Fair Wind in all stages of the company’s growth. They provided valuable advice on a wide range of business decisions including the recent procurement of our new aerial lift platform trucks. The OSU International Trade Center SBDC was particularly helpful with our efforts in bidding for contracts in the Canadian market.”
In a recent announcement by SBA, Dottie Overal, Oklahoma SBA District Director said, “They are an example of entrepreneurs identifying a need and building a strong Oklahoma business to serve that need. These young men have built an environmentally friendly company employing Oklahomans and growing to meet the needs of our nation and eventually the world in the wind and oil industries.”
OKSBDC services are provided as part of a federal, state, and local economic development partnership. OKSBDC results for Oklahoma include successful business start-ups, stronger small businesses, increased business capitalization, and increased private sector job growth. OKSBDC’s goal is a stronger and more sustainable Oklahoma economy. Business owners in any of Oklahoma’s 77 counties can access the 16 statewide locations to receive business advising, training, and technical assistance on a broad range of business issues including capitalization, government contracting, and other operational challenges.
For more information and questions about OKSBDC services or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center Network office at 580.745.2877 or visit www.oksbdc.org.