The SBA Announces Small Business Week Award Winners for Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA – Robert H. Nelson, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Massachusetts District Office, today announced the 2023 National Small Business Week Awards honorees from across the Commonwealth.

“Over the past two years, America has had a record-breaking 10.5 million people apply to start businesses nationally and 332,000 across New England. I’m thrilled to recognize the strong, resilient, and innovative small business award winners leading the way from across Massachusetts,” said Mike Vlacich, SBA New England Regional Administrator. “Small businesses like these are the reason we are emerging from the pandemic stronger. I congratulate them on their achievements and their role in creating jobs and powering our nation’s historic economic comeback.”

“It’s always a privilege celebrating small businesses each May, because they truly are the backbone of America,” said Bob Nelson, SBA Massachusetts District Director. “This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of industries with inspiring stories of resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Please join me in celebrating their success.”

Winners will be recognized at an event, “SCORE Boston Celebrates Small Business Success, Featuring the Massachusetts SBA 2023 Small Business Awards” hosted by the Greater Boston SCORE chapter on Wednesday, May 10th 2023 at the Needham Sheraton.

SBA’s 2023 Massachusetts District Small Business Week Awardees:

Small Business Person of the Year
Jim Sullivan, President & Kelly Sullivan, Vice President
Millennium Press
www.millprinting.com
Agawam, MA

Minority Owned Business of the Year
Eduardo Crespo, CEO
Hispanic Market Solution
www.hispanicmarketsolution.com
Lawrence, MA

Veteran Owned Business of the Year
Liseth Jovhana Velez, CEO
LJV Development LLC
www.ljvdevelopment.com
Everett, MA

Woman Owned Business of the Year
Natalie Blue, Co-Owner & Director & Madelene Pario, Co-Owner & Director
The Artful Life Counseling Center & Studio
www.artfullifecenter.org
Salem, MA

Microenterprise of the Year
Sarah Scala, President and Principal Consultant
Sarah A. Scala Consulting
www.sarahscala.com
Watertown, MA

Homebased Business of the Year
Dora Aguilar, CEO/Owner
Bright Beginners Family Daycare
www.brightbeginnersdaycare.com
Randolph, MA

Small Manufacturer of the Year
Paul Joseph Belham Sr., Vice President/General Manager & Nancy E. Belham, President
Bell’s Powder Coating, Inc.
www.bellspowdercoating.com
North Attleborough, MA

Financial Services Champion of the Year (Massachusetts & New England)
Eddy Desir, AVP/Financial Education Specialist
Cambridge Savings Bank
www.cambridgesavings.com
Waltham, MA

Family Owned Business of the Year
Josh Wile, Co-Owner & President / Jessica Thomas, Co-Owner & Vice President
Agway of Cape Cod
www.agwaycapecod.com
Orleans, MA

Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Laurel Ann Ryan, Owner
Nautically Northern
www.nauticallynorthern.com
Clinton, MA

8(a) Graduate of the Year (Massachusetts & New England)
Wonderlyn Murphy, President & CEO
City Enterprises Inc.
www.cityenterpriseinc.com
Springfield, MA

Exporter of the Year
Laurent Cros, Chief Commercial Officer & Steven Tamasi, CEO
Boston Centerless, Inc.
www.bostoncenterless.com

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.