SIOUX FALLS – The annual U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) National Small Business Week (NSBW) takes place April 30 – May 6 across the nation and territories. Each year, during NSBW, the SBA recognizes outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States for their business and community leadership and achievements. The SBA South Dakota District Office is honoring SBA SD 2023 Small Business Persons and Small Businesses of the Year in a virtual ceremony May 2, 2023, 11:00 CDT. The public is invited to join at http://ow.ly/8ZVb50Ne7gS.
“National Small Business Week is a celebration of the diversity and creativity of our local small business communities,” said SBA Rocky Mountain Region Administrator Aikta Marcoulier. “More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small business, creating nearly 70 percent of net new jobs in the U.S. I congratulate each of our award winners for their pursuit to create equality in the workplace, advance innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.”
Three Black Hills area businesses were included as part of the SBA SD outstanding small business award recipients for 2023. The full list of recipients include:
Small Business Persons of the Year – Denise Cotter and Michelle Marino, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Houndstooth House, LLC, Sioux Falls
Small Business Exporter of the Year – Alisa Turner, Ruff Land Performance Kennels, Tea
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year - The Willard Family, CAW Industries, Inc., Rapid City
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Dan Duenwald, Dan Duenwald Transportation, LLC, Clark
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year - Todd Stone, Stone Group Architects, Inc., Sioux Falls
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year – Tia Berens, The Barn at Aspen Acres, LLC, Spearfish
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Fallon Deutsch, Distinctly Drey, Langford
Small Business Champion of the Year – Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje, Rapid City
“With approximately 90,000 South Dakota small businesses, the competition is robust, and the 2023 awardees have demonstrated year after year they have the business leadership skills to navigate their organizations and teams to excellent customer service, sales, and community support,” said Jaime Wood, SBA South Dakota District Director. “We’re excited to bring these small businesses forward, to honor their dedication and perseverance.”