The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially announced that National Small Business Week (NSBW) will take place from May 4-10, 2025, celebrating the resilience, innovation, and contributions of small business owners nationwide. The week-long event will highlight outstanding entrepreneurs, with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler set to present the prestigious National Small Business Person of the Year award in Washington, D.C., before embarking on a national tour to promote the role of small businesses in local economies.
“For more than 60 years, National Small Business Week has honored the risk takers, innovators, and job creators who are the backbone of the American economy,” said Loeffler. “I congratulate the more than 50 state and territory winners on their recognition and look forward to this week of education and appreciation for entrepreneurship – as we highlight the small business owners who fuel prosperity, growth, and opportunity in communities across our country.”
The NSBW opening ceremony on May 5 in Washington, D.C., will spotlight small business leaders from all 50 states and U.S. territories, culminating in the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year. Following the event, Administrator Loeffler will travel to Boise, Idaho; Phoenix, Arizona; Nashville, Tennessee; and Hartford, Connecticut, meeting with local entrepreneurs, lenders, and community leaders to discuss SBA initiatives, disaster relief efforts, and economic growth strategies.
In addition to the awards and roadshow, NSBW will feature a two-day virtual summit, educational sessions on topics such as manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency, as well as community events and online resources designed to support small business growth and innovation.
Small Business Award Winners
The following entrepreneurs have been named the 2025 SBA Small Business Persons of the Year for their respective states and territories, making them eligible for the national award:
- Alabama: Kimberly Lewis, ProjectXYZ Inc.
- Alaska: Christine Hopkins, ASCI Federal Services LLC
- Arizona: Virginia Saldivar, Metro Accounting and Professional Services
- Arkansas: Kimberly Stinson, Lil Lions Daycare LLC
- California: Qais Salem Alkurdi, HQE Systems
- Colorado: Larisa Hegenbarth, Novastar
- Connecticut: Michelle Nicholson, The Flour Girl Bakery Cafe
- Delaware: Alison Schuch, Tangerine Goods
- District of Columbia: Craig Williams, Cyber Synergy Consulting Group LLC
- Florida: Benjamin Nagengast, Point Summit
- Georgia: Patrick Wells, Piedmont Landscape Management
- Guam: Robert Salas II, Pacific Federal Management Inc.
- Hawaii: Pamela Cariaga, P&S Plumbing LLC
- Idaho: Patrick Buchanan, Buchanan Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
- Illinois: Eric Cup, Bridgewater Studios
- Indiana: Sudhansu (Sam) Yadav, Quest Safety Products Inc.
- Iowa: Jamie Jackson, Jake Oakland, and Joni Campidilli, Percival Scientific Inc.
- Kansas: Cang Quoc Phu and Tuan Lai, QuikTek Machining LLC
- Kentucky: Crinda Francke, ExecuTrain Corp.
- Louisiana: Ronald “Rocky” Ortego III, Red Bison Services LLC
- Maine: Carrie Gervais and Jennifer Cousins, Stepping Stones Montessori School
- Maryland: Jaqueline Lopez, Premier Enterprise Solutions
- Massachusetts: Pablah Ferraz Schwartz-Linhares, Fresscafe Inc.
- Michigan: Greg McArthur and Shelly McArthur, NTL Industries
- Minnesota: Beth Benike, Busy Baby
- Mississippi: David Kittrell and Karen Kittrell, Kittrell’s Industrial and Supply
- Missouri: Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s Creamery
- Montana: Jerry Stroot, Superior Meats Inc.
- Nebraska: Joseph Hodges Jr., Lion’s Gate Security Solutions Inc.
- Nevada: Kristen Corral-Marin, Carlos Corral-Marin, Dan Simmons, and Regina Simmons, Tacotarian
- New Hampshire: Tanya Lawson, Inbloom Health and Medispa
- New Jersey: Nichole Ann Bryson, FT Mobility LLC
- New Mexico: Victor D’Andrea and Jeffrey Giangiuli, TechSource Inc.
- New York: Melissa Baidme, C.K. Natural Fruit Juice, LLC
- North Carolina: Mamie Hoffer and Jason Futrell, Hoffer Flow Controls Inc.
- North Dakota: Dee Decimus, All Embrace Home Caring
- Ohio: Victor Omar D’Angelo, Barroluco LLC
- Oklahoma: Shawn Collins, Sisemore & Associates
- Oregon: Tadd Mick, Tradewinds Charters
- Pennsylvania: Sheree Beth Thomas, SB Thomas & Associates Inc.
- Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands: Yoel Rivera Santos, Ultimate Solutions Corp.
- Rhode Island: Kaitlyn Roberts, Easy Entertaining Inc.
- South Carolina: Michael Haldeman, SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop
- South Dakota: Tara Olson, Valley Ag Supply Inc.
- Tennessee: Reggie Polk, Polk & Associates Construction Inc.
- Texas: Gabe Wander, Wander Staffing
- Utah: Alfonso Porras, Sir Walter Candy Corp.
- Vermont: Christopher Swasey, Lewis Creek Builders
- Virginia: Donald Mills, Mills Marine and Ship Repair
- Washington: Courtni Doherty and Stephen Doherty, Circle Creek Therapy PLLC
- West Virginia: Cathy Jo Higgins, The Developmental Advantage LLC
- Wisconsin: Mark Bula and Shawn Bula, Signature Farms II LLC
- Wyoming: Lauren Heerschap, Brunton International LLC
