It’s officially National Small Business Week! And no one could be more thrilled by the overdue recognition than I am.
For more than 50 years, the President of the United States has declared this week as a time to tip our hats to those who drive our local economy. And rightfully so because our small businesses account for huge impacts on our local economy.
From on-the-job training of many first-time workers to payroll that flows through our great City, our small businesses make up more than 85 percent of the Abilene Chamber’s 1,100-plus members. And we couldn’t be prouder or more determined to work on their behalf.
And although we should all focus our energy and resources toward supporting these businesses every day of the year, it’s nice to have one week set aside for us all to recognize and celebrate these companies and their impact on our community.
I’d like to thank our professional staff and our incredible member volunteers for putting together a weeklong celebration of Abilene’s small business community. And of course, we couldn’t do any of it without the generous support of our sponsors.
Interested in putting on your party hat and joining the celebration? There are many opportunities to do so - here’s a rundown:
This afternoon at 3:30 pm we’ll kick-off Abilene’s Small Business Week honoring those microbusiness Chamber members that don’t have a storefront with an opportunity for a ribbon cutting at the Star Auto Group floor. The Mayor will be there and with a proclamation officially declaring this week Small Business Week.
On Tuesday at 11:30 am we’ll announce the winners of the Chamber’s Small Business Awards sponsored by Star Auto Group, America’s SBDC at Texas Tech and First Financial Bank. Congratulations to this year’s finalists!
Young Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Affordacare Urgent Care
- Alyssa Hartley - Crosslet Photography and Videography
- Josh Rader - Firehouse Fitness
- Karson Tutt - Karson's
New Business of the Year sponsored by Holland Hearing Center
Family-Owned Business of the Year sponsored by Star Dodge Auto Group
Community Investment Award sponsored by First Financial Bank
Wednesday and Thursday we’ll pay tribute to our small business community digitally with content meant for you to engage with. Tune in on our social media pages and help us spread the impact by utilizing the hashtag #AbiSmallBusinessWeek
On Friday, join the Chamber’s Hispanic Business Council as we celebrate minority small businesses at the Cinco de Mayo Small Business Celebration sponsored by First Financial Bank. This special edition of the Morning Edge will provide a unique networking opportunity and tools for growing your business while celebrating minority and Hispanic-owned small businesses and consumers in Abilene. Come hungry for breakfast burritos, traditional Mexican pastries and more!
Folks, let’s not wait until Small Business Week a year from now to stop and thank a small business owner, spend a little money with them here at home, and appreciate all they do every day to keep our economy humming.
I look forward to seeing you around this week!
Onward!
Doug