Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman kicked off National Small Business Week (NSBW) celebrations and events April 30-May 1, 2023. Small business owners, industry leaders and award winners from around the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to be recognized by the SBA for excellence in entrepreneurial development, exporting, federal contracting, lending and disaster recovery.
The SBA will also recognize the Small Business Persons of the Year representing the 50 states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; and name the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year and a runner-up.
David Dafoe, Founder/CEO of Flavorman and Moonshine University, is the 2023 SBA Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year. Flavorman is located at 809 South 8th Street in Louisville. He previously won this prestigious award in 2016.
In 1992, Dafoe started a beverage development consulting company, which evolved into the international custom beverage development company known as Flavorman today. Dafoe launched the business from his condominium kitchen with a handful of credit cards, his perfect palate and a unique talent to create new, original beverages.
SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas stated, “Growing a small business is challenging. However, our region’s entrepreneurs are providing the roadmap for success. Our winners come from diverse backgrounds and industries, but they all have put in the hard work and proper planning. They also create jobs and give back to their communities. We congratulate all of our Southeast Small Business Persons of the Year, including Flavorman.”
Other SBA 2023 Small Business Award Winners for Kentucky include:
•Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official: Kathy Stewart O’Nan, Mayor | City of Mayfield, Ky.
•Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer: Sandra Kaye Delk, Volunteer | Mayfield, Ky.
•Kentucky Financial Advocate of the Year: Mike Maxwell, Business Lending Specialist | Purchase Area Development District (PADD) | Mayfield, Ky.
•Kentucky Home-Based Business of the Year: Clover Bottom Bed & Breakfast | Readith Lakes and Gregory Lakes, Co-Owners | McKee, Ky.
•Kentucky Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year: Georgia Sweet Potato Pie Company | Dawn Urrutia and Deyago Urrutia, Co-Owners | Louisville, Ky.
•Kentucky Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Mobility Plus Crestwood | Tony Odom, Owner | Crestwood, Ky.
•Kentucky Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Family Fun Ice Cream Parlor | Michelle Mitchell, Owner | Radcliff, Ky.
•Kentucky Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Better Blend - Florence | Isaac Hamlin, Founder | Florence, Ky.
Mobility Plus opened in 2015 and provides a variety of mobility services for the community.
Tony Odom understands that recovering from surgery or injury can be hard. The company fills a niche by offering a wide range of mobility equipment for rent on a weekly or monthly basis. Mobility Plus is located at 6402 Westwind Way, Suite 6 in Crestwood.
The SBA Kentucky District Office recognized Dave Dafoe, Tony Odom and the other Small Business Week Award Winners at the “Kentucky Celebrates Small Business” event held May 10, 2023 in Frankfort, Ky. Hosted by the Kentucky SBDC, this event celebrated the 2023 Kentucky SBDC Pacesetter Award recipients.