Local businesses with high-growth potential and their sixteen leaders were recently honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Eastern Pennsylvania District.
Seedcopa was there to address the 2019 SBA Emerging Leaders Program graduates at Widener University in Chester, PA on October 30, 2019.
The SBA identifies businesses across the nation demonstrating high-growth potential and provides approximately 100 hours of free, intensive business education in the form of an in-depth, six-month course in organization management, growth strategies and management, market development and strategic planning. The program’s curriculum also provides opportunities for small business owners to work with experienced mentors, attend workshops, and develop connections with their peers, city leaders, and financial communities.
“Small businesses are vital to the U.S. economy, and here in the 40 counties of Eastern Pennsylvania we count on small businesses to create jobs in our neighborhoods,” said District Director Steve Dixel, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District. “Half of all Americans own or work for small businesses like those in the Emerging Leaders program. As leaders in their communities, I know these graduates will continue to roll up their sleeves and do all that they can to grow their businesses and create more jobs as the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs.”
Emerging Leaders honored at this year’s graduation ceremony:
- Bolanle Akingbade, River Oaks Homecare
- John Baessler, Resolution Pest
- Daniel Banks, Silver Crest Insurance, Inc.
- Denise Barker, CB Construction Services, Inc.
- Myles Biggs, Ritz-Craft Corporation
- John Fisher, Brandywine Photonics
- Vladislav Gordiyenko, Tee Hunt, LLC
- Steve Graves, Sr., Play-a-Round Golf America, Inc.
- William Holland, Anthony’s Barbershop
- Troy Kantner, Solve IT Solutions, LLC
- Savas Logothetides, Wheel Restaurant
- Jim Macdonald, Commercial Flooring Professionals, Inc.
- Remo Patitucci, Paramount Security Partners
- Heather Sahagian, Pulse Beauty Academy
- Karen Zaleski, TMT Logistics Inc
- Lynnette Zanetti, Dynamic Learning Academy
The Emerging Leaders Program is a catalyst for expanding opportunities for underserved communities. Graduates have secured more than $1 billion in government contracts and accessed $73 million in new financing. They’ve also reported creating nearly 2,000 new full-time jobs since the program’s inception. Sixty-two percent of surveyed participants reported an increase in revenue while 70 percent of those surveyed reported maintaining or creating new jobs in their communities.
“Emerging Leaders graduates are the brightest rising stars in our communities. SBA’s Emerging Leaders program provides the know-how they need to help the businesses they’ve started grow and succeed,” said Kim Stout, SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Economic Development/Lender Relations Specialist and Emerging Leaders Program Manager.
- Emerging Leaders graduates
- SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
