Categories

Small Business Awards

• New & Emerging: In business for less than 2 years AND shows evidence of growth and staying power
• Retail/Wholesale: Engaged in sales in either retail or wholesale arena
• Service: Product is a service (such as day care, office cleaning, lawn care, dry cleaners, etc.)
• Professional: Occupation is traditionally viewed as a "profession" (such as doctors, pharmacists, accountants, dentists, engineers, architects, lawyers, etc.)
• Construction/Contracting: Self-employed in building or contracting trades
• Non-profit Organization or Governmental Agency : Classified as nonprofit or charity by the IRS — 501(c)3 status or employee of local, state, or federal government agency/program
• Main Street Business of the Year: awarded to a small business person in a downtown district who has developed an outstanding, growing business, innovative products/services, increased jobs, overcame adversity, and contributed to his/her community
• Family-Owned Business of the Year: honors a small business that has been passed on from one generation to another and a demonstrated history of success with growth in sales, increased jobs, potential for future growth, and volunteer/community efforts
• Young Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur under the age of 30

Small Business Advocates

• Accounting/Financial Services Advocate an accountant/CPA or an individual employed in the accounting, banking, or financial services industry who assists small businesses in obtaining
  financing and/or advocates for changes in the financial services industry to assist small businesses.
• Legal Services Advocate: an attorney who has contributed to an improved legal/regulatory climate for small business.
• Women/Minority Advocate (nominee may be male or female): Engaged in improving the business and financial opportunities for woman-owned and/or minority-owned businesses.