To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business and complete and submit the required nomination package information. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.
For question 12 on SBA Form 3315, please provide the following information for years 2020, 2021, and 2022:
- Number of employees
- Total sales
- Net profit (before tax)
- Total assets
- Total liabilities
- Net worth
After you read through the categories below, you can read the general guidelines and submit your nomination.
Encore Entrepreneur of the Year
This award honors a business owner who – after the age of 50 – launched a small business and has at least three years of business operations. The individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business.
Entrepreneurial Success Award
Individuals must own and operate businesses initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and subsequently developed into large businesses; and they must have received SBA assistance to help the businesses grow.
Family-Owned Business of The Year
This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 15-year track record.
Financial Services Champion of the Year
An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
Millennial Entrepreneur of the Year
To be considered a millennial entrepreneur, the individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three-year track record. Owner must be under the age of 35 by June 1, 2023.
Minority Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners may be nominated or a minority-owned small business owner has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners.
Small Business Media Advocate of the Year
The Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Award will recognize an outstanding journalist from television, radio, web, electronic or print media whose work supports the growth and expansion of small businesses in the El Paso District. The nomination package must include a minimum of three of the nominee’s originally authored and published articles or URL links
Veteran Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated or a veteran small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Champion nominees may or may not be veterans.
Women in Business Champion or Business of the Year
An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated or a women-owned small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners.
Young Entrepreneur of The Year
To be considered a young entrepreneur, the individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three-year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2023.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the El Paso District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.