The SCORE Awards is an annual event that celebrates the outstanding achievements of America's small businesses.
Equal parts ceremony, celebration and entertainment, the SCORE Awards is the preeminent distinction in honoring and supporting small business in the U.S. At this event, we recognize the people and companies that have demonstrated unique vision, innovation and achievement in support of America's economy and small business community.
To select the 2018 SCORE Awards honorees, we asked our clients to nominate their businesses, share their accomplishments and explain how SCORE helped them achieve their dreams. Below are this year's winners.
Outstanding Community Impact Business - Corning Opera House Cultural Center
Corning Opera House Cultural Center is a meetings and events space located in a renovated early 20th-century opera house.
Owners: De Heaton and Cheryl Thompson from Corning, IA
Mentor: Sherry Bonelli
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by MassMutual
Outstanding Diverse Business - Thompson Tee Inc.
Thompson Tee creates undershirts that trap excess sweat, preventing sweat stains from ever appearing.
Owners: Billy Thompson and Randy Choi from Las Vegas, NV
Mentors: John Pietro and Larry Tucker
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by AT&T
Outstanding Encore Entrepreneur - NAVA Consulting Group
NAVA Consulting provides support to African small businesses and institutions, and contracts with U.S. institutions, businesses and federal agencies.
Owners: Rhoi Wangila and Kisembe Namusyule from Washington, DC
Mentors: Fred Elam and Karen Williams
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Trend Micro
Outstanding Military-Owned Small Business - Cowboy Cricket Farms
Cowboy Cricket Farms, Montana’s first cricket farm, is an emerging industry leader in the edible insects market.
Owners: Kathleen and James Rolin from Bozeman, MT
Mentor: Rick Sanders
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Nav
Outstanding Self-Employed Entrepreneur – CraniaLogix
CraniaLogix is an after-school enrichment program that encourages elementary-age kids to think critically and creatively.
Owner: Brooke Bauer from Plano, TX
Mentors: Tim Carnell and Terry Toomey
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by FranNet
Outstanding Woman-Owned Business - Creative Behavior Solutions
Creative Behavior Solutions is an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic that serves children with developmental disabilities.
Owners: Adrianne Smith and Brit Harger from Largo, FL
Mentors: Mats Bengtson and Keith Knowles
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Kimco Realty
Outstanding Young Entrepreneur - Fyood Kitchen
Fyood Kitchen is a professional kitchen that offers Chopped-style cooking competitions for the average, everyday chef.
Owner: Maddie Purcell from Portland, ME
Mentors: Nancy J. Strojny, Jewel Church and Jamieson Webking
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Deluxe Corporation
Outstanding Agriculture Small Business - Drew's Honeybees
Drew’s Honeybees creates organic, beeswax-based skincare products.
Owner: Drew Burnett from Norwich, CT
Mentors: Margo Weitekamp, John Oliva and Alan Mayer
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by The Panther Group
Outstanding American Manufacturing Small Business - Blue Ridge Bucha
Blue Ridge Bucha is a sustainable kombucha producer whose product can be found in more than 80 locations across the East Coast.
Owners: Kate Zuckerman, Ethan Zuckerman from Waynesboro, VA
Mentor: Steve Cooper
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Sam's Club
Outstanding Retail Small Business - Pip & Grow
Pip & Grow produces a recyclable and portable bassinet box that helps to prevent SIDS in infants ages 0-6 months.
Owners: Lauren Hughey, Kate Compton Barr, Amber Kroeker from Sarasota, FL
Mentor: Jon Stuart
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by Liberty Tax
Outstanding Tech and Innovative Small Business – Detroit School for Digital Technology (DSDT)
A Detroit School for Digital Technology is a hands-on trade school, teaching principles of technology, digital media and digital graphics to Detroit locals.
Owner: Jamie Kothe from Detroit, MI
Mentors: David Broner, Dan Brophy and Kevin Kelley
Read their Success Story
Award Presented by FedEx
Senate Small Business Champion: Senator John Boozman, Arkansas
House Small Business Champion: Congresswoman Alma Adams, North Carolina
