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.
Female Small Business Person of the Year
This award honors a female who owns and operates (or bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business. Nominees must have been in business a minimum of three years.
Minority Small Business Person of the Year
This award honors a minority who owns and operates (or bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business. Nominees must have been in business a minimum of three years.
Rural Small Business Person of the Year
This award honors any small business owner that has operated successfully for the last three years in a community of 50,000 people or less (or is considered rural).
Veteran Small Business Person of the Year
This award honors an individual who owns and operates (or bears principal responsibility for operating) a for-profit small business and who has been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions. Nominees must have been in business a minimum of three years.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
This award honors a young individual who serves as a majority owner and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three-year track record.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the South Carolina District level only. All District Awards are judged against winners of the South Florida District Office to win the State title. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.