Directors message: National Small Business Week celebrates the best of Utah's small businesses

Congratulations to the 2018 Small Business Week award winners and thank you for your commitment and dedication to the great state of Utah. Each year since 1963, the president has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical job-creating contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Small Business Week, from April 30 to May 5 this year, has become a national celebration to acknowledge the vital impact of our outstanding small-business owners, lenders, and resource partners.

It’s so easy to forget the importance that small business has in our lives, in our communities and across our state. Our Utah Small Business Week award winners are some of the most imaginative, creative, innovative and business-savvy people I have ever met. People like Paul Casper Merrill, CEO of Casper’s Fat Boy Ice Cream and this year’s Utah Small Business Person of the Year, have great stories to tell, many lessons to teach and challenges to overcome.  

Owning and running a small business is difficult in the best of circumstances. Small-business owners wear many different hats. They are the company’s sales force, IT administrators, janitors, delivery person, head cheerleader and accountant — all these roles in addition to being a parent, soccer coach, school volunteer, caretaker, brother, sister and friend. It is challenging to own and operate a successful small business. That is why these awards are so important and notable.

Utah is one of the best states in the nation to start and grow a small business. Our Small Business Week award winners exemplify the importance of entrepreneurship in this state.  Small business remains the backbone of our economy; they maintain our local tax base, hire locally and support our local community organizations and nonprofits like our schools, Little League teams, libraries and churches. To start a small business, you must have the passion, vision and inspiration to make a successful go of it. We at SBA are extremely proud of each of our Utah winners and for the passion they show each and every day. 

Once again, congratulations to our Utah Small Business Week award winners and thank you for helping us celebrate their tremendous success.  

Marla Trollan serves as the Small Business Administration’s Utah District director based in Salt Lake City and oversees the agency’s programs and services in the state.