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.
Champion of Diverse Small Businesses or Diverse Small Business of the Year
An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for Diverse business owners may be nominated or a diverse-owned small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. The small business must be at least 51% owned and operated by one or more diverse individuals. Champion nominees may or may not be diverse individuals. Note: Diverse is defined as including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.
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. The small business must be at least 51% owned and operated by one or more veterans. 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. The small business must be at least 51% owned and operated by one or more women. Champion nominees may or may not be women.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Family-owned business that has passed from one generation to another and owner has responsibility for operating the business. Nominees must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business with at least a 15-year track record.
Rural Small Business of the Year
A small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. The business must be located at an address designated as rural, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Property Eligibility search tool.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
A small business owner who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. The small business, must be at least 51% owned and operated by one or more individuals that are 30 or under on June 1, 2024.
Financial Services Champion of the Year
An Individual who assists small businesses through advocacy to increase usefulness and availability of accounting or financial service.
Small Business Journalist of the Year
A journalist representing television, radio, electronic or print media who reports and champions small business issues.
All small business categories, including Young Entrepreneur, will follow the general eligibility guidelines and judging criteria for the National Small Business Person of the Year Award category.
In evaluating the Champion nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria:
Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners and are not required to have received SBA assistance. (Please address each of the items below in the (SBA Form 3315, District Office Awards) or in a nomination letter.)
- Volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance small business interest within the community, state and/or nation (specific to award category).
- Demonstrated efforts to improve conditions in the small business community, not solely for individual personal advancement (specific to award category).
- Volunteer efforts to provide professional services to the small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial, or financial capacity (specific to award category).
- Demonstrated accomplishments in advising small business groups of opportunities within the overall business community (specific to the award category).
- Other accomplishments demonstrating the nominee’s merit as an effective advocate for small business interests (specific to the award category).
Small Business Journalist of the Year
(Please address each of the items below in the (SBA Form 3315, District Office Awards) or in a nomination letter.)
- Concerted efforts to increase public understanding of the importance of small business contributions to the economy.
- Contribution of news and feature stories, editorials, columns, and commentary that highlight and analyze small business issues.
- Voluntary community service aimed at enhancing small business opportunity and growth.
- Other achievements that exemplify the nominee’s media efforts to improve the understanding of the role of small business in the U.S. economy.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the San Diego District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for State, and regional competitions. Regional winners will be forwarded for National competition.