Small Business Awards - Greensboro Chamber of Commerce

2026 Small Business Awards
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 11:45 am to 1:30 pm

The Small Business Awards celebrate the people behind the businesses that keep Greensboro moving. Each year, we recognize companies that are growing, adapting, and making a real impact in our community. In partnership with Launch Greensboro’s StartUp Week, this event brings the small business community together for a well-earned moment of recognition.

Your ticket includes the awards program, a plated lunch from 1618 On Location and access to see The Pyrle Theater. You’ll also have time to connect with other business owners and organizations that support them.

During this year’s event, we will share a new member benefit focused on local market data, built to give you useful insight as you grow your business. This benefit has been created by small businesses within the Greensboro community.

We hope you will help us choose our People’s Choice Winner. Voting is open now through Friday, April 17.

Vote Today!

We say it a lot, but small businesses really do shape what Greensboro feels like day to day. They’re the ones taking risks, building something from the ground up, and showing up for our community in so many ways. When the Chamber recognizes that work, it shows that these efforts matter and that we’re paying attention. It’s also a way to lift up them up and celebrate them.

Past Winners

2025

Small Business of the Year: New Garden Landscaping & Nursery
Entrepreneur of the Year: Steven D. Bell (Bell Partners)
Community Contributor Award: ALT+HR
Culture Creator Award: Core Technology Molding Corporation
People’s Choice Award: The Well Mind
Ignition Award: Carson Creative Solutions

2024

Small Business of the Year: Griswold Home Care
Entrepreneur of the Year: Clifford Thompson (Thompson Traders)
Community Contributor Award: GreensboroBLACK
Culture Creator Award: Charles Aris
Pivot Pro Award: Greensboro Power Yoga & Greensboro Power
Ignition Award: Epic Chophouse

2023

Small Business of the Year Award: Keir Davis, Xtern Software
Community Contributor Award: Sheena White, Fiber Space
Culture Creator Award: Nicky Smith, Beacon Technologies
Pivot Pro Award: V. Ashleigh Odom, Ashlen Staffing Solutions

2022

Small Business of the Year Award: Core Technology Molding Corporation
Community Contributor Award: Carolina Digital Phone
Culture Creator Award: Savor the Moment Bakery
Pivot Pro Award: Deep Roots Market

2021 (Watch our virtual awards)

Small Business of the Year Award: United Maintenance Group
Community Contributor Award: Downtown Greensboro Inc.
Culture Creator Award: Chez Genèse
Goal Setter Award: HAECO Cabin Solutions
People’s Choice Award: Greensboro Science Center
Pivot Pro Award: Out of the Garden Project

2020 (Yes, we did this during Covid. Watch our virtual awards)

Small Business of the Year Award: Good Health Greensboro
Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Jasmine Beard, AJOY Consulting
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Peggy Barron-Antolin, Office Evolution of the Triad
Women in Business Award: Reketta Wright, Wrights Care Services

2019

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Jada Monica Drew, Social Designs Consulting
Small Business Person of the Year: Alex Amoroso, Cheesecakes by Alex
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Chisa Pennix-Brown, Lady Bizness
Women in Business Award: Ursula Dudley (Dudley Beauty Corp.) and Abby Donnelly (Leadership and Legacy Group)

2018

Minority Small Business of the Year: Camilia Zuleikha Majette, Nailah’s Shea
Small Business Person of the Year: Nick Wilson, 1618 Concepts
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Karla Comer, YWCA of Greensboro
Women in Business Award: Rozalynn Fulton, Community Theatre of Greensboro

2017

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Randy Wadsworth and Damion Moore, Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Small Business Person of the Year: Garrett Bedrin and Mike Bedrin, Salons by JC, The Bedrin Organization
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Andy Zimmerman, AZ Development
Women in Business Award: Lee Comer, fresh.local.good Food Group

2016

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Antonio Wallace, GP Supply Company
Small Business Person of the Year: Bill and Shelly Norman, Kneaded Energy
Small Business Advocate of the Year: DarLinda Finch, GTCC Small Business Center
Women in Business Award: Ashley Miller Rice, Miller Monograms

2015

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Geoff Foster, Core Technology Molding
Small Business Person of the Year: Kristina Fuller, Crafted: The Art of the Taco
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Steve Brock, ActionCOACH
Women in Business Award: Ann Zuraw, Zuraw Financial Advisors

2014

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Blair Hampton, Century Products
Small Business Person of the Year: Mark Dirks, Beacon Technologies
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Sam Funchess, Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship
Women in Business Award: Meredith Williams, Pepper Moon Catering

2013

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Clarence & Donnica Boston, Triad Cremation Society
Small Business Person of the Year: Ged King, The Sales Factory
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Dr. Cynthia Clemmons, Bennett College
Women in Business Award: Kristi Griggs, G-Force Marketing

2012

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Shana Ayscue, STA Technologies
Small Business Person of the Year: Larry Cecchini, Secure Designs
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Charlie Melvin, Smith Moore Leatherwood
Women in Business Award: Tonya Cockman, Clear Defense

2011

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Sheila Robinson, Diversity Women Magazine
Small Business Person of the Year: Katie Southard, The Green Bean
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Leona La Perriere, Hear Applause
Women in Business Award: Christine Cheek, BPR Properties

2010

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Oscar Gibson, CES Graphic Media
Small Business Person of the Year: Ed and Anna Currie, Exclamations Catering/PTP
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Julius Koonce, It’s About Your Business
Women in Business Award: Gina Deese, A.C.T. by Deese

2009

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Javier Gomez, Dynamic Quest
Small Business Person of the Year: Eric Burg, Apple Rock Displays
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Dennis Stearns, Stearns Financial Services

2008

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Alicia Fields Minkins, EJ’s Staffing Service
Small Business Person of the Year: Malinda Pengally, Beyond Email
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Tom May, UNCG Bryan School of Business & Economics

2007

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Danny Mitchell, MBM
Small Business Person of the Year: Javier Gomez, Dynamic Quest
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Greg Chabon, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice

2006

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Justo Nunez, Leapfrog Marketing
Small Business Person of the Year: David Moff, The HR Group
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Mark Hagenbuch, GTCC SBC

2005

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Romona and Michael Woods, Ashtae Products
Small Business Person of the Year: Felicia Brown, Balance Day Spa
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Diane Rumley, Leeper, Kean & Rumley

2004

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Cornelius Lamberth, CoMor Corp.
Small Business Person of the Year: Larry Diana, Express Personnel
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Ralph Shelton, Southeast Fuels

2003

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Clinton Kimble, One Step Ahead
Small Business Person of the Year: Lenny Dolin, The Art Shop
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Malinda Pengelly, Beyond Email

2002

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Louis Martin, Martin Janitorial Service
Small Business Person of the Year: Paul Godino, Ganache
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Lee Lloyd, Brooks, Pierce, McLendon

2001

Small Business Person of the Year: Charles Cainer, Question Tech
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Bill Leinster, BB&T

2000

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Faison Group
Small Business Person of the Year: Cherry, Bekaert & Holland
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Pam Medlin, Key Resources

1999

Minority Small Business Person of the Year: Reginald Erwin, Reginald Erwin Inc.
Small Business Person of the Year: Mary Alice Watkins, Greensboro Public Library
Small Business Advocate of the Year: Michael Dougherty, Kindermusic

1998