Photo credit Source : www.alreporter.com
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell Honors Award-Winning Small Businesses in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District During National Small Business Week
Alabama small businesses honored during National Small Business Week
During National Small Business Week, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, AL-07, took to the House Floor to recognize and honor two award-winning small businesses in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.
One of the businesses honored was the Coffee Shoppe and Reflections in Selma, owned and operated by Ms. Jackie Smith. Smith was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Phoenix Award Winner for Outstanding Disaster Recovery Efforts. After facing challenges following a tornado in 2023, Smith’s resilience and determination led her to not only reopen the Coffee Shoppe but also launch a new business, Reflections.
Additionally, Sewell recognized Shanna Ullmann, Timothy Ullmann, and Robert Prescott of Transformation Partners, LLC in Tuscaloosa. The trio was named SBA’s 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year for Alabama. Transformation Partners, LLC, which started as a statewide training provider in 2000, has since grown significantly and now offers consulting services and employee development programming to clients in various sectors.
Both businesses faced hardships, with the Coffee Shoppe and Transformation Partners, LLC, being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with the support of the SBA, they were able to overcome challenges and continue their operations.
In her statement, Rep. Sewell commended the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of these small business owners and congratulated them on their well-deserved recognition. She urged her colleagues to join her in celebrating the outstanding achievements of these businesses in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District and wished them continued success in the future.
