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.
Minority Business Owner of the Year
To be considered for the Minority Business Owner of the Year award, the individual must serve as a majority owner (51% or more) and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a minimum three-year track record, and must be from a designated minority group.
Veteran Business Owner of the Year
To be considered for the Veteran Business Owner of the Year award, the nominee must be a majority owner (51% or more) and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a minimum three year track record, and must be a veteran or service-disabled veteran honorably discharged from a branch of the US Armed Services (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Reserves or National Guard).
Woman Business Owner of the Year
To be considered for the Woman Business Owner of the Year award, the nominee must be female who serves as a majority owner (51% or more) and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with a minimum three year track record.
Rural Business Owner of the Year
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).
Small Business Advocate of the Year
This award will be presented to an individual that assists entrepreneurs through advocacy and other efforts that raise the profile, effectiveness, health, vitality, growth, or expansion of small businesses in the SBA’s South Florida District Office territory. These efforts can target specific segments of the small business population such as women, veterans, minorities, exporters, and those small firms located in rural communities.
Small Business Community Partner of the Year
This award will be presented to a certified non-profit, chamber, or other organizations whose primary mission is to help entrepreneurs start or grow their businesses. This award will recognize the impact an organization has on the local entrepreneurial community through advocacy and other efforts that raise the profile, effectiveness, health, vitality, growth, or expansion of small businesses in the SBA’s South Florida District Office territory. These efforts can target specific segments of the small business population such as women, veterans, minorities, exporters, and those small firms located in rural communities.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the South Florida District level only. All District Awards are judged against winners of the North 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.