Congratulations to the 2017 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 Stefanie and Joshua Bevans, owners of Design To Print Inc. and this year’s Utah Small Business Persons of the Year, have their own stories to tell, their own lessons to teach and their own challenges to overcome.
Owning and running a small business is difficult in the best of circumstances. With more than 260,000 small firms in Utah, employing over 500,000 people, small business is the heart and soul of our state’s economy. That’s at least 260,000 Utahns that must make payroll each week, need to collect and pay taxes regularly and have a sense of personal obligation to their employees and their families for their well-being.
Small-business owners are required to wear many different hats. They are the company’s sales force, IT administrators, janitors, delivery people, head cheerleaders and accountants — all of these roles in addition to being a mother, father, parent, soccer coach, school volunteer, caretaker, brother, sister and friend. Yes, it is very challenging to own and operate a successful small business. That is why these awards are so important and notable — and memorable.
Utah is one of the best states in the nation to start and grow a small business. As evidenced by recent accolades from Forbes magazine, CNBC and 24/7 Wall Street, each of our Small Business Week award winners exemplifies the importance of entrepreneurship in this state. Small businesses 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.
Stanley Nakano serves as the SBA’s Utah District director based in Salt Lake City. He oversees the agency’s programs and services in Utah.