SBA names 2018 MN small business winners

Brenda Nolby, one might say, stuck the landing.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has named the CEO of Ham Lake-based Jam Hops Gymnastics Factory Inc. Minnesota’s 2018 Small Business Person of the Year. Jam Hops is a youth gymnastics and dance studio that has expanded several times since its founding in 1997. It recently moved into a new 43,000-square-foot complex for all its activities.

The SBA announces a series of awards each year to mark National Small Business Week, held April 29 to May 5 this year. In addition to Nolby, the SBA recognized the following businesspeople and companies Monday:

• Mark Johnson of Kasota-based Artisan Restoration LLC as Encore Entrepreneur of the year. The company specializes in restoring historic wooden buildings and new log and timber-frame buildings.
• Bert Kissoondath of Randy’s Booth Co. in Crystal received the Family-Owned Small Business of the Year award. The company is a nationwide seller of restaurant seating.
• Mary Lundeen of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Center for Economic Development was named Minority Small Business Champion of the Year.
• The Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year was awarded to Sergio Espinoza of E & H Piping LLC in Hanley Falls.
• The Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center at St. Cloud State University was named SBDC Excellence and Innovation Center of the Year.
• Clint Kruger of Minneapolis-based commercial and industrial electrical contractor Preferred Electric Inc. received the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year award.
• Dennis Welch, SBA division manager at Frandsen Bank & Trust in Arden Hills, was named Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.
• The recipient of the Women-Owned Small Business of the Year award is Karen Schaar, co-owner of Roca Climbing and Fitness Inc. in Rochester, which bills itself as “Minnesota’s best indoor rock climbing gym.”
• WomenVenture, a Minneapolis-based business development center, was named Women’s Business Center of Excellence of the Year.
• The Women Small Business Champion of the Year is Marnie Ochs-Raleigh, CEO of St. Paul-based web development and digital marketing firm Evolve Systems.
• Steller Hair Co. owner and stylist Katie Steller received the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
• The recipients will be honored at an awards luncheon May 11 in Minneapolis.

Related:

• Small Business Administration honors 10 local leaders