Every state in America picked one small business owner as its small business person of the year as part of National Small Business Week. Each one of them was up for the national award as well.
One of these, John Stonecipher, President and CEO of Guidance Aviation Inc has just won the award of Small Business Person Of The Year.
These people are doing amazing things, from contracting with the Department of Homeland Security to making silver-gallium nanoneedles.
Here are 18 of the winners, along with the one piece of advice they have for current and aspiring business owners.
ARIZONA: John Stonecipher, President and CEO of Guidance Aviation Inc. and Small Business Person Of The Year Winner
Guidance Aviation is a high-altitude flight school and John Stonecipher just won Small Business Person Of The Year.
One piece of advice for small business owners:
"Surround yourself around the best people you can and give them an opportunity to do what they love to do best. Each one of my staff and faculty are leaders themselves. I cannot succeed without them."OREGON: Judith Huck, President Classique Floors Inc.
Classique Floors sells and installs floor coverings for new home builders, restoration companies, homeowners and commercial construction clients.
One piece of advice for small business owners:
"Always take the high road in business decisions. Do the right thing. You’ll never regret it."
IOWA: Charles Hammond, President and CEO, Raining Rose
Raining Rose Inc. is a producer of customized lip balm and other natural body care products, founded in the late 1990s by a couple who started creating lip balms in the kitchen of their home as a hobby.
One piece of advice for small business owners:
"Try to find a mentor if possible. I was incredibly fortunate to have had Art Christoffersen as my business partner ... He was a great sounding board and really never told me what to do, but he asked some great questions that led me to the answer."
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