23 April 2026
Hyacinth Tucker, CEO and founder of The Laundry Basket® LLC, Wins The UPS Store® 2026 Small Biz Challenge Title
SAN DIEGO – APRIL 24, 2026 – The UPS Store, Inc., a passionate supporter of entrepreneurs, is proud to announce the 2026 champion of The UPS Store® Small Biz Challenge: Hyacinth Tucker, CEO and founder of The Laundry Basket® LLC. The six-week competition, hosted by The UPS Store and Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, concluded with an electrifying finale in Nashville, Tenn., where Hyacinth’s innovative approach to the laundry industry earned her $25,000 and an upcoming editorial feature in Inc. magazine. The Laundry Basket is a stress-free laundry and dry-cleaning service built on one main belief – that people deserve their time back.
The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge began in 2018 and continues to grow each year as a nationwide program that encourages and strengthens up-and-coming small businesses. This year’s iteration attracted nearly 6,000 entries from across the nation, with nine semi-finalists navigating rigorous business scenarios with help from three expert small-business mentors – Tori Dunlap, Isaac Hetzroni and Julissa Prado – who tested their resilience and ingenuity. Throughout the transformative competition, the semi-finalists received personalized coaching from the mentors while tackling real-world challenges spanning brand strategy, market positioning and operational execution. After a public voting phase, Hyacinth advanced to the final event in Nashville on April 23 – alongside two other finalists – where they delivered a pitch before a distinguished panel of judges and a captivated audience.
“Taking home The UPS Store Small Biz Challenge award represents so much more than recognition – it’s a catalyst that will transform my business,” said Hyacinth. “The three mentors became the strategic partners I needed, stretching me beyond my comfort zone to build and showcase key skills, and competing with fellow founders elevated my perspective in ways I couldn’t have imagined. The platform, resources and network I’ve gained through this experience will drive the next phase of my business.”
The competition revealed the full spectrum of entrepreneurial innovation this year. Runner-up finalists Laura Nolen, founder of High Strung Racquets LLC, and Andrew Tyree Clinkscale, CEO and founder of Portion LLC, each secured $5,000 awards, positioning them with capital and national exposure to catalyze new growth opportunities. High Strung Racquets specializes in premium racquet accessories and is disrupting the court sports market by merging performance with personal style. Portion is a platform dedicated to fighting food waste and hunger by connecting restaurant kitchens to families who want affordable food.
“The caliber of small business owners competing in 2026 reflects the dynamic innovation reshaping American commerce,” said Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of marketing and sales at The UPS Store, Inc. “Hyacinth, Andrew and Laura represent the changemakers who drive our economy forward. Celebrating their achievements is celebrating the future of entrepreneurship itself.”
This challenge represents The UPS Store brand’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs with the mentorship, visibility and resources that transform visionary ideas into unstoppable enterprises. With a robust portfolio of small business products and services, and more than 5,500 locally owned and operated locations across the country, The UPS Store network understands firsthand the complexities and rewards of small business ownership.
Learn more and stay connected: Visit inc.com/the-ups-store-challenge for competition updates and stories from this year’s finalists.
About The UPS Store
With more than 5,500 locations across the United States, The UPS Store network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, print, and business service centers. The UPS Store locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of United Parcel Service, Inc., a Delaware corporation (although one or more may be company-owned). Services, prices, and hours of operation are subject to change and may vary by location. For additional information about The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com. Follow The UPS Store on social media at @TheUPSStore.
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
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