Rising Star Award event to honor small business
THIS YEAR’S RISING STAR AWARD winner is Greg Hicks, owner/operator of Impressions Catering. From left are Dr. Carl Hite, president, Cleveland State Community College; Hicks; Brenda Sheehy, director of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center; and David Hudson, small business specialist at the TSBDC. Banner photo, LUCIE R. WILLSIE
“Greg Hicks is a passionate small business owner who exemplifies entrepreneurship,” Sheehy said. “He is a consummate professional who continues to put forth whatever effort it takes to grow his business and prosper.”
The yearly Rising Star honoree is chosen based in part on a variety of factors, including that company’s level of involvement with the TSBDC programs, as well as involvement by the company and its owner in the local business community. Rising Star also honors a company’s exceptional achievements in bringing its business to a new level.
“This year’s winner is unique,” Sheehy said. “They have exponentially excelled over many businesses.”
Hicks has been in business for 10 years, but in less than a year he has improved the bottom line of Impressions Catering by 30 percent.
“The TSBDC doesn’t just help starting businesses, but also established businesses,” Sheehy stressed.
The second Tennessee Small Business Development Center Rising Star Award Luncheon will be held Wednesday, Aug. 10.
“Last year we had over 125 attendees,” said Brenda Sheehy, director of the local TSBDC at Cleveland State Community College. She hopes to exceed that number this year.
“The Rising Star Luncheon is a wonderful venue,” she offered.
This luncheon is the main fundraiser of the year for the local TSBDC. Funding for the center comes from a variety of other sources in addition to the luncheon, including federal money from the Small Business Administration, host institutions such as CSCC and other benefactors like the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and various banks, and small-business owners.
“The more funding resources our center has, the more service we can offer the community,” Sheehy said.
New this year will be an hour of small business vendor table visits held between 11 a.m. and noon before the actual awards ceremony luncheon. It was created as a celebration of small business entrepreneurs. A 6-foot table will be provided to those who want to be part of this segment of the luncheon. Businesses just need to bring some sort of table covering along with their business materials.
“It’s a nice addition. It’s appropriate to represent other small business owners at Rising Star,” Sheehy said.
Since January, Cleveland’s TSBDC has helped more than 30 new businesses get started. In addition, the local TSBDC has achieved 110 percent of its matrix-mandated goals for 2011 and Sheehy hopes to double or perhaps even triple its expected goals by the end of this year.
“This is an excellent opportunity for them to let the community know who they are and what they do,” she said.
The keynote speaker, who will be introduced by Sen. Mike Bell, will be U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann. Walter N. Perry III, the district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Tennessee District Office; and Patrick Geho, director of the TSBDC, will also speak.“Each and every small business is important and I welcome celebrating with them on Aug. 10,” Sheehy said.
