SBDC NJ Celebrates 38 Years of Achievement at 14th Annual Success Awards Luncheon

On Dec 9, 2016

Sixteen small business owners and entrepreneurs from diverse industry sectors with various ranges of employment and revenue were recognized today at America’s SBDC New Jersey’s 14th annual Small Business Growth Awards Luncheon. These award winners from across the state are clients of the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers network. They were recognized for their successful development and growth with the assistance provided by NJSBDC’s business experts. The event was held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township.

“This event shines light on our clients’ great success stories,” said NJSBDC network Chief Executive Officer and State Director Brenda Hopper. “These success stories and the quality services we provide for the thousands of business owners we serve each year lead to economic impact, contributing to the state economy.” The network counsels up to 5,000 small business clients annually in addition to thousands of trainees that attend SBDC seminars.

The Small Business Success Award Winners include:

• Kitchen Connections (Union City)
• Tabatchnick Fine Foods, Inc. (Somerset)
• Copper River Salon and Spa (Princeton)
• Small Factory Innovations (SFI) (Fair Haven)
• Rinn ABA Consulting (Emerson)
• Relish Chef Services (Long Branch)
• Sancoche Soups, LLC/ Business Boosters, LLC/and ThinkScreen, LLC (Berkeley Heights)
• Dusty’s Dog House (Bayonne)
• Czig Meister Brewing LLC (Hackettstown)
• CertaPro Painters of Central Somerset County (Hillsborough)
• Ed Ebert’s Automotive (Moorestown)
• Truck Tech Parts and Service (Newark)
• Health and Natural Beauty USA, Inc. (Piscataway)
• SC Consultant LLC (Linwood)
• Saint Joseph Contractor Corp (Hamilton)
• RIGO Dental Lab (Passaic)

Kellie LeDet, SBA regional administrator in region II, and Alfred Titone, SBA NJ District director are participating as well as the leadership of Rutgers Business School, which is where the program is hosted. Former Congressman Michael Pappas, who previously served as Region II SBA regional administrator, is also expected to attend the event. The SBA is a major funding partner of America’s SBDC New Jersey. The NJ Business Action Center, a state funding partner of America’s SBDC New Jersey, will also be represented.

Senator Kevin J. O’Toole (District 40), a longtime advocate and supporter of the NJSBDC network and a past recipient of the “2007 Small Business Advocate” award, was the keynote speaker. Senator Sam Thompson (District 12), Assemblyman John DiMaio (District 23), Assemblywoman Elizabeth Maher Muoio (District 13), Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin (District 29) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (District 27) received honorary recognition. Thompson serves on the Senate Budget Committee; DiMaio, Muoio and Pintor Marin serve on the Assembly Budget Committee. In addition, Muoio and Pintor Marin serve on the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. Vanieri Huttle is Chair of the Assembly Human Services committee and Deputy Speaker. The event also acknowledged the leadership of Assembly and Senate Budget Committee chairmen, Senator Paul Sarlo and Assemblyman Gary Schaer, along with ranking Minority Budget Officers, Senator Anthony Bucco and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon in supporting small businesses through SBDC services.

A restored funding increase was once again provided for the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers program in this current state fiscal year budget. Leveraged funding by the NJSBDC program is the key to maximizing resources for the small business sector.

“This event allows us to recognize SBDC clients, key state legislators and our financial supporters, partners and stakeholders,” said Deborah Smarth, chief operating officer and associate state director of the NJSBDC network. “It’s a great way of closing out a full year of impact in helping small businesses achieve their business success. It’s all about jobs, business creation and business retention/expansion.”

From July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, the NJSBDC:  Counseled more than 4,100 clients delivering 20,553 total counseling hours; more than 6,600 businesses and individuals attended 521 training sessions statewide; 632 SBDC clients started new businesses; $93.9 million in financing for clients was facilitated. For half of the fiscal year, NJSBDC helped their clients create and save 11,473 jobs. Last calendar year (2015), NJSBDC network helped generate more than 16,000 jobs.

 

Platinum and Gold financial sponsors included PSE&G and PNC Bank. City National Bank is a Bronze financial sponsor. Other private sector financial supporters include UPS and ADP. In addition, Bank of America is a key partner and financial grantor of the network. New Jersey Business magazine is an in-kind media sponsor.

The New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the New Jersey Technology Council provided gift business memberships for the SBDC success award winners.

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