Fran Sica’s company, ACIS, Inc., produces Natural Formula, a line of natural body care products. This business is the culmination of Fran’s wealth of experience and skills as a pharmacist and also as a business executive for a large pharmaceutical company.

The Natural Formula product line consists of moisturizing cream, skin conditioner, lip balm, muscle massage, after-sun gel and foot cream. The manufacturing processes are environmentally friendly and no animal testing is conducted.

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Ion Systems

Jill Thomas, 33, is chief executive officer of a software company that expects to gross $1 million in revenues when this fiscal year ends–and anticipates grossing five times that the following year.

If those expectations are met, it will be the first year the company has turned a profit since its founding in 1990.

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The Accountant Advocate of the Year award is presented to individuals who have contributed as accountants to a better economic and financial climate for small firms. Nominees may or may not be small business owners. Nominations are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Volunteer time and energy outside of business duties to assist small firms

Advocacy of a reduction of financial and regulatory requirements for small business

Support for initiatives to promote legislation strengthening the financial health of small business

Participation in other activities that exemplify the nominee’s efforts to improve the economic climate for small business

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The Women in Business Advocate of the Year award is presented to individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership. Nominees may or may not be small business owners. Nominations are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Efforts to increase business and financial opportunities for women

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The Financial Services Advocate of the Year award is presented to individuals who assist small businesses in obtaining financing, either directly or through advocacy efforts to increase the availability of financial services. Nominations are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Amount and quality of assistance given small businesses in obtaining financing more…

The Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year award is presented to individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to support minority entrepreneurship. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

Nominations are evaluated based upon the following criteria:

Voluntary efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance minority small business interests within the community, state and/or nation
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Olga G. Cohen

Hauppauge, New York

The Small Business Exporter of the Year award is presented to individuals who
own and operate a small business engaged in exporting. SBA size standards apply
in defining a business as small. more…

Sylvia F. Patterson

New York, New York

The Media Advocate of the Year award is presented to journalists representing
television, radio or print media. Nominations are evaluated based upon the
following criteria:

Concerted efforts to increase public understanding of the importance of small
business contributions to the economy

Contribution of news and feature stories, editorials, more…

Maxine Turner
Cuisine Unlimited
Murray, Utah

Maxine Turner’s interest in starting her own catering business began when she handled catering services for a local charity. The opportunity to learn more culinary skills came when a private school asked her to coordinate their lunch program.

After six years, her catering operation outgrew the school’s facilities. Maxine worked on a business plan, deciding it was time to open a corporate and social catering operation and small deli. With a 2,600 square-foot facility, she and her staff started marketing their services. more…

Nancy Bunkelman
The Ovens of Gracie O’Malley &
Golden Gourmet Wedding Cakes
Delafield, Wisconsin

Investments in small businesses are sometimes long-term bets on success, but the payoff can be sweet … in this case, literally. An SBA microloan  in 1992 helped build a bakery in Nancy Bunkelman’s basement, but it was several years before this artist/baker was “discovered.” more…