Hats Off to the Heroes of America: Small Businesses
By Cassius F. Butts, Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
Every year since 1963, the President has officially designated a National Small Business Week. This is a perfect time for us to renew our commitment to America's small businesses, the backbone and foundation of the strongest, most resilient economy the world has ever known.
This year, National Small Business Week will occur from May 1 – 7, 2016. The theme this year is "Dream Big, Start Small." Across the country, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will recognize the role small businesses play in building our communities. Small businesses today create two out of every three new private-sector jobs and employ half of the private workforce. Now, more than ever, we have an opportunity to help entrepreneurs as they continue to drive our nation's economy forward.
American innovation has sparked ideas that have changed the course of history and improved lives for millions. At SBA we are determined to ensure these enterprises continue to have the financial tools, resources, and expertise they need to succeed. Every day, SBA is working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America's global competitiveness.
We are proud to be hosting one of the National Small Business Week Events right here in our region. Day 2 of celebrations will take place in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia Tech Research Institute. For more information on this event, please visit www.sba.gov/ga.
For all of you that aren't able to attend a National Small Business Week event in person, please remember that each event will be live streamed through www.sba/gov/nsbw. Please tune in to support America's small businesses.
The small businesses that are being honored next week represent the unsung heroes of America. Together, let's seize the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories.
What's Happening In Your District For Small Business:
 | | Alabama District OfficeThomas Todt, District Director |
The Alabama District recently hosted an informational seminar on the Employer Tax Credit of the Affordable Care Act. The local IRS office provided a Subject Matter Expert to discuss the tax provisions of the credit to small businesses, as well as other small business services. In addition, the local Taxpayer Advocate Service gave an orientation on the services they provide to taxpayers.
 | | Beverly J. Thompson, Local Taxpayer Advocate and Kelly Farris, Senior Program Analyst, IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) provide information to attendees regarding the services provided by the Taxpayer Advocacy Services office. |
Nora Huffman, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Birmingham IRS Office, briefs attendees on the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit, Online Tax Calendar and Direct Pay. | |  |
 | | North Florida District OfficeWilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director |
Tisa Clark, Business Opportunity Specialist with the North Florida District Office hosted a workshop with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) on April19. The workshop focused on what firms need to provide the government in their pricing proposals. The workshop was delivered by Sherry Kobus with the DCAA. Topics included direct labor rates, materials, subcontracts, other direct costs, indirect rates, and best practices. The training was attended by almost 40 small businesses. Workshop is pictured below.
 | | Come join the NFDO at the 24th Annual Small Business Week Awards in Jacksonville! The 2016 Small Business Week Award Winners from the Jacksonville area and the top lenders for the district will be recognized at the Annual Small Business Week & Lender Awards Celebration on May 5, 2016 in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida's University Center from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. |
 | | South Florida District OfficeFrancisco "Pancho" Marrero |
The South Florida District Office hosted the ChallengeHER: Federal Procurement Opportunities for Women Business Owners on Friday, April 15th at Florida International University. Scores of women attended to gain insight and access to the local, state, and federal contracting marketplaces. SFDO Deputy District Director Jonel Hein offered welcoming remarks and later introduced representatives from the SBDCs of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami during a workshop discussion about "Doing Your Homework" and "Who's Who in Procurement Buying." After the plenary session on the WOSB Program there were two sessions of two concurrent workshops on various topics. Scott Nirk, PCR from the Office of Government Contracting Area III made the signature presentation to the group and offered illustrative examples that gave fresh insight into the workings of the WOSB program. He then joined the contracting professionals panel discussion moderated by Ivette Mesa-Bascumbe also from the Office of Government Contracting Area III who offered a clarifying and lively perspective to the intricacies of government contracting. The successful half-day event culminated in one-on-one matchmaking sessions for the business owners with local and federal buyers.
 | | At the podium, Ivette Mesa-Bascumbe, Office of Government Contracting Area III presides over the contracting professionals panel including from the left: Scott Nirk; Robert Gamble from the VA; Catherine Richardson from Southern Command (Army); and Rhonda Wimberly from Turner Construction. |
Jonel Hein, DDD, bottom right corner looks on as Rafael Cruz from the Ft. Lauderdale SBDC speaks to ChallengeHER attendees. | |  |
 | | The South Florida District Office is also gearing up for several celebrations around South Florida for National Small Business Week, May 1-7. The awards presentation in Tampa on May 5th will feature Cassius Butts, SBA Regional Administrator as the Keynote Speaker at the 29th Annual Government Small Business Conference: Roadmap to Winning Government Contracts hosted by USF SBDC and PTAC. Other events are being planned in Miami and Melbourne, Florida. |
 | | Georgia District OfficeTerri Denison, District Director |
Although this National event is sold out, please participate by watching it live by logging in to sba.gov/nsbw.
 | | Kentucky District OfficeRalph Ross, District Director |
Kentucky Celebrates Small Business Week | |  |
The SBA Kentucky District Office has named Mr. David Dafoe, Founder and CEO for Flavorman and Distilled Spirits Epicenter in Louisville as the SBA Kentucky 2016 Small Business Person of the Year.
Mr. Dafoe founded Pro-Liquitech International in 1992 after being employed at the Brown-Forman Beverage Company, where he developed highly successful new products. Pro-Liquitech evolved into Flavorman, an international custom beverage production company. Its impressive client list includes internationally known brands and some of the world's largest distilleries. Flavorman secured three SBA loans to grow the business and relocate near downtown Louisville, kick starting a revitalization of the area.
In 2012, David founded Flavorman's sister company, the Distilled Spirits Epicenter, on the Flavorman campus. The Distilled Spirits Epicenter is made up of three distinct and collaborative parts: Moonshine University, Grease Monkey Distillery and Challenge Bottling. Leaders attribute their success to the team. Flavorman and the Distilled Spirits Epicenter currently have 30 full time and four part time employees, and visitors include SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet and Region IV Administrator Cassius Butts
SBA will also honor the following Kentucky entrepreneurs on May 3 during the 2016 Small Business Week:
Ms. Kathy Mills, Strategic Communications, LLC, Louisville, SBA Southeast Region 8(a) Graduate of the Year;
Mr. Bill Fensterer, Capital Access Corporation, Louisville, Kentucky Financial Services Advocate of the Year;
Mr. Harsha Wijesiri, Integrated Engineering, Lexington, Kentucky Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year;
Mr. Scott Matheny, Semper Tek, Lexington, Kentucky Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year; and
Ms. Desiree Sloan Harmon, Club Fit Studio, Paintsville, Kentucky Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year.
The six SBA Kentucky winners will be honored in conjunction with five Kentucky SBDC's Pacesetter Award winners at the "Kentucky Celebrates Small Business" event at the State Capitol in Frankfort.
 | | Mississippi District OfficeJanita Stewart, District Director |
The SBA Mississippi District Office will host its 2016 Small Business Week and Top Lenders Awards Ceremony on May 3rd in Jackson, MS. The event will highlight successful small business entrepreneurs and advocates who worked diligently on behalf of Mississippi small businesses as well as lending partners who demonstrated the best overall performance in for FY 2015. | |  |
2016 SBA MISSISSIPPI SMALL BUSINESS
AWARD WINNERS
Small Business Person of the Year
Mike Pornovets, Everything Kayak
Gulfport, MS
Small Business Exporter
Dr. Marco Moran, Dewmar International BMC, Inc.
Jackson, MS
Young Entrepreneur
Kyle and Regan Cravens, Allen's Fine Jewelry
Winona, MS
Veterans Small Business Champion
Natalie Guess, Magnolia Business Alliance
Diamondhead, MS
Minority Small Business Champion
Dr. Sidney Rushing, Gaston Point Community Development Corp.
Gulfport, MS
Financial Services Champion
Fred Crispen, Celtic Bank
Panama City Beach, FL
Women Business Champion
Dorothy P. Wilson, D Wilson and Associates
Gulfport, MS
Phoenix Award-Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery
Mayor Will Hill, City of Louisville
Louisville, MS
Mississippi Lender Awards
First Financial Bank
Top Loan Volume & 1st Runner-Up Dollar Lender
Community Bank of Mississippi
Top Dollar & 1st Runner-Up Loan Volume Lender
Trustmark National Bank
2nd Runner-Up Loan Volume Lender
BankPlus
2nd Runner-Up Dollar Lender
Covington County Bank
3rd Runner-Up Loan Volume Lender
Peoples Bank
3rd Runner–Up Dollar & Honorable Mention Volume Lender
West Town Bank & Trust
Honorable Mention Dollar Lender
Central Mississippi Development Company
Top Loan Volume Certified Development Company
Three Rivers Local Development Company
Top Dollar Certified Development Company
Trustmark Bank
Top Loan Volume Third-Party Lender on CDC Projects
ServisFirst Bank
Top Dollar Third-Party Lender on CDC Projects
 | | North Carolina District OfficeLynn Douthett, District Director |
The North Carolina Small Business & Technology Development Center hosted a conference for SBA lenders on April 21st. Over 100 lenders from across the state participated in the event. SBA Associate Administrator for Capital Access Ann Marie Mehlum provided updates on SBA's lending programs. District Director Lynn Douthett assisted Ms. Mehlum in presenting the top lender awards for FY2015.
Conference attendees listen to a 504 panel discussion. | |  |
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Ann Marie Mehlum and Lynn Douthett present the NC Lender of the Year Award to Jon Kaye, Regional Sales Manager, Wells Fargo Bank – Atlanta GA. |
SBA Announces Two New Women's Business Centers in North Carolina
The SBA North Carolina District has announced the addition of two SBA Women's Business Centers (WBC) in the state. The SBA Women's Business Center of Charlotte, hosted by The Institute, will open in May 2016. Also, the Western Women's Business Center (WWBC) at The Support Center (TSC) will now operate as an SBA WBC. Both organizations have received a multi-year grant through SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership. This brings the total of SBA WBCs in North Carolina to four. The Institute's WBC of NC in Raleigh and the CEED WBC of Fayetteville, have been open since 1999.
SBA Announces Two New Women's Business Centers in North Carolina
The SBA North Carolina District has announced the addition of two SBA Women's Business Centers (WBC) in the state. The SBA Women's Business Center of Charlotte, hosted by The Institute, will open in May 2016. Also, the Western Women's Business Center (WWBC) at The Support Center (TSC) will now operate as an SBA WBC. Both organizations have received a multi-year grant through SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership. This brings the total of SBA WBCs in North Carolina to four. The Institute's WBC of NC in Raleigh and the CEED WBC of Fayetteville, have been open since 1999.
Women's Business Center of Charlotte
From Left: Cassius Butts, SBA Southeast Regional Administrator; Eric Watson, President, Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council; Briles Johnson, Executive Director, Women's Business Center of North Carolina in Raleigh; Nancy Rosado, Charlotte Business Inclusion Manager; Natalie Williams, Executive Director Women's Business Center of Charlotte; Lynn Douthett, SBA North Carolina District Director; Andrea Harris, Policy Director at The Institute; James Mitchell, Charlotte City Council Member; Farad Ali, President of The Institute.
Western Women's Business Center at The Support Center in
Enka, NC
From left: Lynn Douthett, SBA North Carolina District Director; Lenwood V. Long, Jr. President/CEO, TSC; Tonya Snyder, WWBC; Zuri Anuel, WWBC; Janice Rojas, TSC; Francine Popular, Weema Global; Candy Williams, WWBC; Tommy Dennison, WWBC; Sharon Oxendine, Director, WWBC.
 | | South Carolina District OfficeElliott Cooper, District Director |
"BMW Manufacturing believes diversity among our suppliers adds value throughout our organization and imperative to our business. For this reason, our supplier diversity initiative promotes an inclusive procurement environment, reinforcing the importance of minority – and – women-owned businesses to our long-term sustainability."
Business Opportunity Specialist, Carl Faison participated in Small Business Acquisition Forum held at Fort Jackson on April 13, 2016 hosted by Mission and Installation Contracting Command. The purpose to provide a venue for early exchange of information among industry and the program manager, contracting officer, and other participants in the acquisition process. Utilization of the HUBZone program within contracting offices. Mr. Faison provided a briefing on HUBZone program.
 | | Tennessee District OfficeJohn Mallono, Acting District Director |
The Tennessee District Office recruited and welcomed a new class of Emerging Leaders in Memphis and Nashville in April. Memphis welcomes its ninth year of Emerging Leaders and Nashville will be in its second year. More than 100 Tennesseans have so far graduated from the successful program. Acting District Director, John Mallano, welcomed the Memphis class and the Nashville class for their first session, leading toward what one SBA Administrator has called "a mini-MBA".
"Scale Up Nashville" with the SBA and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce--part of SBA's "Scale Up America" initiative-- graduated its first class of entrepreneurs on April 12 in Music City. On April 19, Jacqueline Merritt, BOS, participated in the Tri-Cities Franchise Expo in Johnson City and conducted workshops in the east Tennessee area. On April 20, the SBA's SBIR Road Tour came to Tennessee with stops in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. Federal agency representation from the DHS, US Navy, Air Force, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, DoE, and the USPTO made the SBIR Road Tour a great success as it was in 2015. David Tiller, PIO, participated in the Nashville road tour event. The state of Tennessee Diversity Business Enterprise (DBE) Conference will be presented on April 28 in Knoxville where Gloria Armstead, EDS, and David Tiller, PIO, will both participate with a booth at the day-long event.
