- 12 November 2021
- Public Relations
2021 Small Biz Challenge Winner Check-In
It’s been several months since our 2021 Small Biz Challenge Virtual Studio Event. Chef, author, and TV host Carla Hall and veteran TV host, social media influencer, and author Shannon LaNier hosted the lively virtual competition, during which five small business owners had the opportunity to demonstrate their resilience and shine, competing for $25,000 and a feature in Inc. magazine.
We took a little time to catch up with our top three winners from the competition to see what they’ve been up to, and find out how they put the prize money to good use for their business.
Our first place winner, Dr. Kimberly McGlonn, continues to advocate for sustainability and criminal justice reform through her apparel brand, Grant BLVD. The Philadelphia, Pa-based business is growing rapidly and this Small Biz Challenge champion plans to use her prize money to expand into a second retail location. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this unstoppable entrepreneur!
Second place in this year’s Small Biz Challenge went to Julie Sullivan-Loos. She’s the co-founder of Ground Up Nut Butters in Portland, Ore. We visited their production facility and saw firsthand the impact her company has on the lives of local women overcoming adversity through their employment training program. The success of Ground Up is a testament to the powerful combination of an incredible product and a meaningful purpose. The Small Biz Challenge prize money enabled Julie and her team to produce new 1.15 oz squeeze packs, creating a more affordable entry point to help get curious customers hooked.
Sammi Bivens of Houston, Texas, took home third place in the Small Biz Challenge, representing her business, Digital Marketing Maven and Associates. Sammi’s passion lies in cultivating authentic relationships that create success, not just for herself, but for other entrepreneurs seeking to launch or grow their own venture. For Sammi, the prize money presented an opportunity to invest in systems and people that help Digital Marketing Maven and Associates run more efficiently and ultimately, better serve clients.
We’re proud to see the top three finishers of our 2021 Virtual Small Biz Challenge flourish and grow. For more insights and inspiration that can help your business evolve, check out additional articles from our Small Business Blog.