National Small Business Week 2015
SBA AWARDS
National Small Business Week—an event that highlights the outstanding contributions small business owners and entrepreneurs make—took place on May 8, 2015 at the White House South Court Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Since 1963, the President has issued a proclamation designating one week each year as National Small Business Week. In addition to the event showcasing outstanding small businesses and entrepreneurs, it recognizes organizations, individuals, and leaders from around the U.S. who won a competitive nomination and selection process to be highlighted as national winners in groups ranging from Exporter of the Year to Small Business Investment Company of the Year, according to an SBA press release. One of the awards given out was the SBA National Small Business Person(s) of the Year award. It was presented by Maria Contreras-Sweet—the 24th and current Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). The award for the SBA National Small Business Person(s) of the Year went to a brother and sister team from Missouri, Alan Doan and Sarah Galbraith. Their business is called Missouri Star Quilt Company and it was chosen from a pool of six finalists. Maria Contreras-Sweet expressed her admiration for the winners: “It is my extreme pleasure to announce that
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Alan Doan and his sister Sarah Galbraith are this year’s Small Business Person(s) of the Year. It was just seven short years ago that Alan and Sarah bought a quilting machine and a small building to house it. Their business, Missouri Star Quilt Company, now owns 15 buildings, encompassing 116,365 square feet. They are considered the largest employer in Caldwell County, with 148 employees,” said Contreras-Sweet.
Jenny Doan, YouTube star with her children Sarah Galbraith and Alan Doan who created Missouri Star Quilt Company
She explained how the company was created. “In 2013, the owners received an SBA 504 loan to construct a 45,000 square-foot facility to be used primarily for warehousing and shipping, as well as for customer service, sales and a photo/catalog studio. This unique business is a combination of e-commerce and a bustling brick and mortar operation that has brought new life to Hamil-