Maria Contreras-Sweet, the SBA Administrator, kicked off National Small Business Week 2016 on May 1st at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The event celebrated various entrepreneurs, including small business owners, manufacturers, and innovators. The SBA hosted events in Washington, D.C., New York City, Denver, Phoenix, and the Bay Area, featuring special guests. These events were live-streamed, and the videos are available on the SBA’s YouTube channel.
In Washington, D.C., Helen Russell and Brooke McDonnell, co-founders of Equator Coffees & Teas, were honored as the 2016 National Small Business Persons of the Year. Russell highlighted their journey from starting in a garage to growing their business to 90 employees, 350 wholesale customers, and four retail stores.
Mark Cuban, an entrepreneur and Shark Tank judge, addressed small business owners, acknowledging their success and hard work. In Harlem, Mike Muse, the My Brother’s Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurs Champion, joined Administrator Contreras-Sweet at the Apollo Theater for a discussion on opportunities for young men of color to start their own businesses. Congressman Charles Rangel also made an appearance.
Later in the week, the SBA visited the Midwest, where Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper shared his small business story, including being turned down by 32 banks. Reed Silberman, the Colorado Small Business Person of the Year, described entrepreneurs as leaders-in-training.
A significant focus of National Small Business Week was on veterans and active-duty military personnel. In Phoenix, Arizona, the Administrator spoke with veterans who have successfully used SBA resources like the Emerging Leaders Initiative.
In Oakland, it was noted that 90% of businesses have 20 or fewer employees. Mayor Libby Schaaf declared Oakland a “city of small businesses.” The Bay Area remains a hub for small business owners, especially within immigrant communities in places like San Jose, where the Administrator spoke to New American business owners.
Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and the U.S. Small Business Administration team concluded a successful National Small Business Week, extending thanks and congratulations to all the 2016 award recipients, finalists, and small business owners nationwide.
