WASHINGTON, D.C.– SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, has announced the National Small Business Week (NSBW) 2024 Award Winners including Missouri’s Small Business Person of the Year and other business owners, leading partners, and advocates who embody the grit and determination that power our nation’s economy and ensure disaster-impacted communities can recover. This year’s NSBW will take place April 28-May 4, 2024.
“Our 2024 National Small Business Week award winners exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment, and the SBA is proud to showcase their incredible achievements and impact on their communities and our economy,” said Administrator Guzman. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, more Americans than ever before are pursuing the American dream of business ownership and able to access more opportunities, with historic investments in communities across America in local infrastructure, broadband, manufacturing, innovation, and clean energy. National Small Business Week is the nation’s opportunity to lift up the amazing entrepreneurs, small business advocates, local partners, advisors, lenders, and investors who support America’s entrepreneurial spirt and the historic Biden-Harris Small Business Boom.”
Missouri’s Small Business Person of the Year is Charlie M. Downs III, the owner of Sugarfire Smokehouse based in St. Louis, Mo. There are now 14 Sugarfire Smokehouse restaurants along with several sister restaurants. Sugarfire Smokehouse survived the pandemic with SBA-backed loan assistance.
“Sugarfire Smokehouse is a fantastic example of how small businesses can succeed and surpass expectations despite obstacles,” Maureen Brinkley, SBA St. Louis District Director stated. “I was truly impressed when I read their Small Business Person of the Year packet. I called to congratulate Charlie and after the call I felt we could not have chosen a better business to represent St. Louis and Missouri at the National Small Business Week Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC.”
The Illinois Small Business Person of the Year is Jacqueline Jackson of Kilwins Chicago & Fatburger Buffalo Wings in Chicago, Ill.
The NSBW Award Ceremonies will take place April 28 – 29, 2024 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., where Administrator Guzman will recognize the national award winners and individual state winners, and also announce the top honor of National Small Business Person of the Year from among the individual state winners. Administrator Guzman will then launch a roadshow tour from April 30 – May 3, 2024 which will bring her to Manchester, N.H., Milwaukee, Wis., Denver, Colo., and Billings, Mont., where will be joined by local leaders to honor award-winning small businesses and discuss SBA initiatives and opportunities for the small business community. The week-long National Small Business Week celebration will also feature a virtual summit co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses