SBA to Small Business: It's Your Time to Shine

Despite labor shortages, sticky inflation, and a chilly credit environment, small business owners have persevered--and the last few years have boasted record numbers of people turning to entrepreneurship. At least 17 million new businesses applications have been filed since President Joe Biden assumed office. 

To crown the acheivements of the nation's founders, the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a series of events running through May 3. The agency announced on Wednesday that SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman will start this year's celebration with an opening ceremony in the nation's capital. The ceremony will honor those working at small businesses and supporting them. Among other honors, the SBA plans to fete the Women's Business Center of the Year and the Small Business Investment Company of the Year.

That leads up to another ceremony on Monday, also in Washington D.C., which will recognize the National Small Business Person of the Year. Past honorees have included Hamdi Ulukaya of Chobani and Under Armor founder Kevin Plank. Typically, the honor goes to entrepreneurs who have accessed SBA programs on their road to success. In Ulukaya's case, he used an SBA-backed loan to fund the purchase of a yogurt factory in upstate NY. Plank took out a $250,000 SBA loan from Abigail Adams National Bank, which helped him buy fabric and keep the company alive.

The agency will also host a two-day virtual summit that starts on Tuesday, April 30. The agency is partnering with those from Visa, T-Mobile, Square and more to offer sessions like the "Future of Commerce" and "Unlocking AI's Potential for Your Small Business." The summit is free to sign into, but interested attendees must register in advance. 

Make sure to look out for any local events hosted within your region as well. Local Chambers of Commerce often join in on the festivities, as does some local governments. The City and County of Honolulu will host its own Oahu Small Business Week while the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce in Saint Joseph, Missouri is propping up a week of programming that will include small business bingo and an incubator open house.