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.
After you read through the categories below, you can read the general guidelines and submit your nomination.
New Mexico Entrepreneurial Success Award
The individual(s) must own and operate a business that initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and subsequently developed into a large business.
New Mexico Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
This award honors a family-owned and operated business that has been passed on from generation to generation. The owner must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 15 years.
New Mexico Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a minority-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more minorities. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a Veteran-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more Veterans. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico Women-Owned Small Business of the Year
To be considered a women-owned small business, it must be 51% owned and operated by one or more women. The individual(s) must serve as a majority owner(s) and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business. The business must have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
New Mexico 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. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given to small businesses to obtain financing.
- Advocates for changes in the financial services industry to assist small businesses.
- Encourages the flow of investment capital to small ventures.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates measurable accomplishments through their advocacy efforts of the financial services or accounting industries to advance small business interests.
New Mexico Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who has committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Demonstrates volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance minority small business interests within the community, state and/or nation.
- Advocates to improve conditions in the minority small business community, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Provides voluntary professional services to the minority small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial, or financial capacity.
- Demonstrates accomplishments in advising minority small business groups about opportunities within the overall business community.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate for minority small business interests.
New Mexico Women Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who has committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for women business owners. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women.
- Provides legal, financial, or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership.
- Demonstrates voluntary efforts to strengthen the role of women business owners within the community.
- Advocates to improve conditions in the women’s small business community, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate in improving the environment for expanding women-owned and operated businesses.
New Mexico Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual committed to advancing small business opportunities for Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Nominees may or may not be Veterans.
- Actively supports legislative or regulatory actions designed to help small businesses.
- Demonstrates efforts to increase business opportunities for Veterans.
- Performs advisory activities to improve awareness of small business opportunities among Veterans’ groups.
- Advocates for special consideration in government policymaking for Veteran-owned small businesses.
- Demonstrates success in obtaining support within the community for Veteran-owned small businesses.
- Demonstrates other accomplishments as an effective advocate for Veteran-owned small business interests.
SBA will make the above-referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the New Mexico District Office level. National awards such as the Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded to compete in the national competition.