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Rep. Terri Sewell Honors Small Business Owners in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District
Selma Small Business Owner Honored by Rep. Terri Sewell on House Floor
Selma, Alabama – Jackie Smith, owner of the Coffee Shoppe in Selma, was recognized by Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) on the House Floor for her outstanding entrepreneurship and resilience in the face of adversity. Smith was honored for receiving the 2024 Phoenix Award from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
In her speech, Rep. Sewell praised Smith for her dedication to her community and for turning the Coffee Shoppe into a hub for locals to gather, learn about Selma’s history, and enjoy great food. Despite facing challenges such as the aftermath of a tornado in 2023, Smith’s determination and the support of the SBA allowed her to keep her business thriving and even open a second establishment, Reflections.
Smith’s story of perseverance and success earned her national recognition as the SBA’s 2024 Phoenix Award Winner for Outstanding Disaster Recovery Efforts. Alongside Smith, Shanna Ullmann, Timothy Ullmann, and Robert Prescott of Transformation Partners, LLC in Tuscaloosa were also recognized as the SBA’s 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama.
Transformation Partners, LLC, a consulting firm that serves clients in various sectors, faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic but managed to stay afloat with the help of the SBA. Their resilience and dedication to their work earned them the title of SBA’s 2024 National Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama.
Rep. Sewell called on her colleagues to celebrate the outstanding entrepreneurship in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District and congratulated all the winners for their achievements. The recognition of small business owners like Smith and the team at Transformation Partners highlights the importance of supporting and honoring local businesses that contribute to their communities’ growth and success.
