The Kentucky Small Business Development Center and Kentucky District Office of the Small Business Administration will present Kentucky Celebrates Small Business at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. This event coincides with 2023 National Small Business Week and will recognize Kentucky’s top small businesses and entrepreneurs.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are proud to celebrate their hard work and dedication,” said Kristina Joyce, Kentucky Small Business Development Center state director. “These award winners and Pacesetters exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of our state and serve as inspirations to aspiring business owners."

The 2023 Small Business Administration award winners include:

• Kentucky Small Business Person of the Year – Flavorman, David Dafoe, Founder/CEO, Louisville

• Kentucky Women-Owned Small Business of the Year – Family Fun Ice Cream Parlor, owner Michelle Mitchell, Radcliff

• Kentucky Minority Small Business of the Year – Georgia Sweet Potato Pie Company, co-owners Dawn Urrutia and Deyago Urrutia, Louisville

• Home-Based Business of the Year – Clover Bed and Breakfast, co-owners Readith Lakes and Gregory Lakes, McKee

• Kentucky Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Better Blend, founder Isaac Hamlin, Florence

• Kentucky Financial Advocate of the Year – Mike Maxwell, Purchase Area Development District, Mayfield

• Kentucky Veteran Business of the Year – Mobility Plus Crestwood, owner Tony Odum, Crestwood

• Phoenix Award for outstanding contributions to disaster recovery by a public official – Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan, Mayfield

• Phoenix Award for outstanding contributions to disaster recovery by a volunteer –Sandra Kaye Delk, Mayfield

2023 Kentucky Pacesetter Award winners include:

• Startup businesses:

• The Augusta Pub – owner Troy Teegarden, Augusta

• The Bright Spot, LLC – owner Angie Madden, Lexington

• Fancy Farm Hardware – owner Ryan Wilson, Fancy Farm

• Lola’s Laundry, LLC – owner Leonard Bredwood, Georgetown

• Meltdown Iced Cream, LLC – owner Susan Warrell, Bowling Green

• Traditional businesses:

• Backroads of Appalachia – owner Erik Hubbard, Lynch

• Family Fun Ice Cream Parlor – owner Michelle Mitchell, Radcliff

• Monnik Beer Company – owner Brian Holton, Louisville

• Reed’s Home Solutions – owners Tim, Susie, Tim II, Josh and Jenna Reed, Belfry

• Sawstone Brewing Company – owners Derek Caskey, Nicholas Hollan and Blake Nickell, Morehead

• Sunhouse Craft, LLC – owner Cynthia Main, Berea

"The SBA is honored to recognize the outstanding achievements of Kentucky’s small business owners,” said Robert Coffey, SBA Kentucky district office director. “Their passion, innovation and perseverance are critical to driving economic growth and creating jobs in our communities."

Joyce added that the event is a testament to the vibrancy of Kentucky’s small business community and its vital role in driving economic growth and job creation in the state.

For more information about the Pacesetter Award or the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event, please visit the Kentucky Small Business Development Center website at http://kentuckysbdc.com.

Kentucky Small Business Development Center is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered by the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA. 

UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, through its land-grant mission, reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research, and extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians.