SBA: Houston, Texas

Houston District Seeks Small Business Award Nominations

National Small Business Week 2013 The U.S. Small Business Administration Houston District Office is now accepting nominations for SBA’s 2013 National Small Business Week awards.  Each year during Small Business Week, small businesses are recognized for their contributions to the prosperity of our Nation’s economy.  Nominations are due January 3, 2013. The Small Business Week Nomination Guidelines can be found on the Houston District webpage at www.sba.gov/tx/houston.  District nomination packages must be submitted to the SBA Houston District Office, Attn: Russell Hughes, 8701 S. Gessner, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77074. Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: Small Business Person of the Year Small Business Exporter of the Year SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year Financial Services Champion of the Year Home-Based Champion of the Year Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Women In Business Champion of the Year Nominees for these awards should fit the following criteria: Small Business Person of the Year: The Houston District Small Business Person of the Year will be selected based on staying power as evidenced by a minimum three years in business, growth in number of employees, increase in sales, innovativeness of product or service, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.   The winner will will advance for further competition at the regional level and the regional winner will advance to compete for the National Small Business Person of the Year award.  Small Business Exporter of the Year:  An individual who owns and operates a small business engaged in exporting. SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year:  To be considered a young entrepreneur, the individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2013. Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year:  This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next.  The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility with at least a 15-year track record. The following Champion award nominees may or not be small business owners: 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.  Home-Based Business Champion of the Year:  An individual who has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business and has volunteered to improve the climate for these businesses may be nominated. Minority Small Business Champion of the Year:  An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners.  Veteran Small Business Champion 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. Nominees may or may not be veterans. Women in Business Champion of the Year:  An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated. For more information contact Russell Hughes at 713-773-6527 or Russell.Hughes@sba.gov.