Latest news with #SmallBusinessPersonoftheYear
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Stephanie Vanderbilt Named SBA Business Person of the Year as Coastal Windows & Exteriors Celebrates 15 Years and National #1 Ranking
Beverly-Based Woman-Owned Business Named #1 Woman-Owned Contractor in the U.S. by James Hardie BEVERLY, Mass., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Coastal Windows & Exteriors, a Beverly-based woman-owned remodeling company, is celebrating its 15th anniversary with national recognition. James Hardie has named the company the #1 Woman-Owned Contractor in the U.S., marking a major milestone in Coastal's journey from a one-desk startup to one of New England's most awarded exterior remodelers. Owner Stephanie Vanderbilt, recently honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Massachusetts' Small Business Person of the Year, leads one of the most awarded companies— a milestone made even more meaningful by their deep community roots and regional impact across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Founder Stephanie Vanderbilt launched Coastal in 2010 after a career teaching the deaf, bringing her passion for education into the remodeling space. "Our success started in a classroom," says Vanderbilt. "That mindset of putting education first is still the foundation of everything we do. We lead with empathy and transparency to help homeowners make confident decisions." Over the past 15 years, Coastal has installed thousands of energy-efficient windows, doors, roofing, and siding systems across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. These accolades reflect a long-standing commitment to exceptional workmanship, customer satisfaction, and team excellence. "Coastal has demonstrated impressive job creation and community impact through programs like Roofs for Heroes." said SBA District Director Robert Nelson. "Stephanie is the finest example of a small business in today's business world," added Michael Bevilacqua, VP of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. "Her dedication to her customers and community — especially veterans — is especially noteworthy." But for Vanderbilt, recognition is only part of the story. "Our mission is to serve," says Vanderbilt. "We just happen to install siding, roofing, windows, and doors." That service-first mission extends to the broader community through programs like Roofs for Heroes, which provides free roof replacements to local veterans, and Coastal has also donated over $375,000 in products and services to Habitat for Humanity. With a 4.8-star Google rating and 7,000+ homes transformed, Coastal continues to build more than just beautiful exteriors. "When you lead with passion and empathy," Vanderbilt adds, "you create real impact, break barriers, and shape a legacy." About Coastal Windows & Exteriors Founded in 2010, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a woman-owned, family-operated home remodeling company based in Beverly, Massachusetts, serving homeowners across MA, NH, and ME. The company specializes in energy-efficient replacement windows, insulated/James Hardie fiber cement siding, GAF-certified roofing, and fiberglass/steel entry doors. Coastal is nationally recognized for excellence and customer satisfaction with awards including: SBA Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year, James Hardie President's Club, GAF President's Club, Qualified Remodeler HIP Top Satisfaction Leader, Inc. 5000 #1 Woman-Owned Replacement Company in New England, and Family Business of the Year. Coastal combines industry-leading products with a mission to educate and empower homeowners. Contact: Stephanie Vanderbilt (Owner)Coastal Windows & Exteriors395817@ Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915(978) 304-0495 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Coastal Windows & Exteriors Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Journals
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Vested Metals founder Viv Helwig honored by SBA
Viv Helwig of Vested Metals International was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the SBA North Florida District.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Three win small business awards at annual Chamber event in Decatur
May 15—Larry Little, Kyle Pike and Megan Schwindling were all winners of small business awards Wednesday from the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce. Little is the founder, CEO and executive coach for Eagle Consulting, which was established in 1999 and includes Eagle Counseling and Eagle Center for Leadership. He was named the Raymon Baker — John Cook — Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year. "Life is about relationships, and I believe business is about relationships," Little said. "I've devoted my life to studying relationships, to helping people grow stronger relationships personally and professionally. When I think about growing a business, it starts and stops with those relationships." Little is a seven-time author of relationship-based books that have reached over a million people. He leads a team of counselors, coaches and support staff who have a mission of making a difference in others' lives. Little has worked worldwide through his business. He is married to Melanie and has two children. The chamber held its annual Small Business Awards Celebration on Wednesday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront. The award recipients were chosen for their leadership, creativity and commitment to the local business community. Kyle Pike is the business development manager at Fite Building Co. and the Decatur City Council District 2 councilman. He was named the Arthur Orr Young Professional of the Year. Pike said he lives by three things: faith, family and community. "None of this is possible without having a strong faith and relying on the Lord and the blessings he gives us," he said. "Your family is the backbone of your support system. I'm fortunate enough to have a large family that will support me in a lot of things I do. Specifically, my time in office. And the community is where I spend a lot of my time, and I couldn't do that without the support of the first two." Pike previously served as president of the Decatur Jaycees and has held roles with the Decatur Kiwanis Club, One Decatur, and the Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation. He is married to Patricia and has two children and is expecting a third. Maegan Schwindling has been the facilitator of the nonprofit Decatur Morgan CEO program, which started in 2019, for five years. The program mentors and assists young people in starting their own business. Schwindling was named the Lynn C. Fowler Nonprofit Professional of the Year. "I think the most important thing we can do as adults is invest in younger students and college students to ensure that they stay in Alabama and start businesses here in Decatur and Morgan County," she said. "We might have the valedictorian from Decatur Heritage (Christian Academy) with a student that hates school from another high school (in the CEO program). It's a weird mix of kids, but they all end up learning to work together. That, I think, is the most valuable thing we can give them, and how to model for them, is just how to work with people who are different from you." Schwindling started out in social work and later launched the North Alabama office of Lifeline Children's Services. In her work with the CEO Program, she has helped over 50 students start their own business, while connecting them with more than 60 local business mentors. There was a national documentary done on the program that showcased the program's success. Schwindling is married to TC and they have three children. — or 256-340-2460.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harlingen entrepreneur gets top honor in SBA awards
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways May 7—Seven U.S. Small Business Administration Lower Rio Grande Valley District award winners were honored at a luncheon and ceremony at Rancho Viejo on Tuesday, with SBA South Central Regional Administrator Justin Crossie serving as keynote speaker. The Lower Valley district covers 14 counties in southernmost Texas. The event was held as part of 2025 Small Business Week (May 4-10), which has taken place in May each year since it was designated by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Two of the award recipients, including this year's Small Business Person of the Year, are based in Harlingen and three in Brownsville. In the national category, Abygail T. Elizondo, owner of Elizondo Insurance Services in Harlingen, was named Small Business Person of the Year, nominated by Allan Leonard, chapter chairman of SCORE, a nationwide business mentorship program. Also in the national category, Small Business Exporter of the Year went to Hansheng Lei, owner of American Instrument Inc., doing business as America Ship, based in Brownsville. Lei was nominated by Dainela Sosa, executive director of the Business Development Fund of Texas. Under the heading of district director awards, Home-Based Business of the Year went to Francisco Javier Garcia, owner of Harlingen-headquartered Bruskees Spices LLC. He was nominated by Orlando Campos, CEO of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation. Another director award recipient was Daniel Perez Rodriguez, owner of Sandia-based Malfunction Junction Automotive LLC, who was named Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year. Rodriguez was nominated by Celia Garza, rural program manager for the Del Mar College Small Business Development Center. Martin Rubio Flores, owner of Marty McPies LLC, based in Corpus Christi, received the director's Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year award after being nominated by Theresa Moffitt, certified business advisor IV with the Del Mar center. The director's Women-Owned Small Business of the Year award went to Karina M. Saldivar, owner of Sweet & Fit, doing business as Amor Y Pan and headquartered in Brownsville. She was nominated by Linda Ufland, director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization for the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center. Finally, Daisy Nayeli Alcazar, owner of La Pale Frozen Fruit Bar LLC in Brownsville, was named the director's Young Entrepreneur of the Year, with LiftFund Market Director Marlene R. Rodriguez nominating. SBA Lower Valley District Office Director Angela Burton, taking her turn at the podium during the ceremony, said she was honored to "celebrate the resilience and innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit that powers our community." Burton, who joined SBA in 2013, said her favorite part of the awards each year is calling the winners to share the news. "I can see their smiles through the phone and hear the excitement in their voices," she said. "I just love it." Burton called this year's seven winners "remarkable businesses that represent the best of the American small business landscape." "You remind us that small businesses are not just economic drivers," she said. "They are the true heart and soul of our community. Crossie said during his speech that the nation's 34 million small businesses "form the backbone of the United States of America." "Small businesses drives innovation and create two out of every three new jobs, and employ nearly half of America's workforce," he said, adding that 45.1% of every job in Texas is provided by small business. "That's an impressive number," Crossie said. Tuesday's event hosted by RGV Partnership and sponsored by the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation and Texas Gas Service, with supporting sponsorship from Elizondo Insurance Services and Pathfinder Public Affairs. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huntsville couple named as Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Huntsville small business couple has been named as the Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama. Kim and Larry Lewis are the owners of PROJECTXYZ, Inc. in Huntsville. In March, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the Lewis' were awarded as the Alabama Small Business Persons of the Year! Winners were selected from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. 'Larry and I are honored to be named Alabama's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our incredible team. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and we are proud to be part of a network of entrepreneurs who drive growth, create opportunities, and inspire the next generation of leaders. We look forward to continuing to invest and engage in Alabama's small business landscape,' Kim Lewis said. 'PROJECTXYZ, INC. is a great example of a local small business empowering the state of Alabama's economy,' Janita R. Stewart, SBA Alabama District Director (acting), said. 'In accordance with the SBA's Office of Advocacy's most recent Small Business Profiles, there are more than 449,000 small businesses in Alabama contributing to the state's economy, and business owners like Kimberly and Larry Lewis are helping to lead the way. SBA is proud to recognize The Lewis' as Alabama's 2025 Small Business Persons of the Year!' In addition to this nationally recognized award, three businesses were recognized at the state level. Alabama Rural-Owned Small Business of the Year: CEO Duane Tolbert, Tolbert Insurance Agency, Inc., Oneonta, AL Alabama Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: CEO Sean Chappell, Southern Sun Laundry, Foley, AL Alabama Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: CEO Lori Purnell, Spencer Environmental Consultants, LLC, Birmingham, AL 'These awards recognize businesses for their growth in revenues, growth in physical space, in job creation, their resilience through challenges, and/or contributions to their local communities,' the Alabama Small Business Development Network said. PROJECTXYZ, Inc. said all 53 winners were invited to attend ceremonies in Washington D.C. on May 4-5, where they will be honored with their award along with special recognition of the runner-up and the naming of the overall 2025 National Small Business Person of the Year. Since 1971, the U.S. SBA has announced a National Small Business Person of the Year. An Alabama-based company/owner has never won the award. You can learn more about these businesses recognized on the Alabama Small Business Development Network website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
