The Small Business Week celebration began with the announcement of the winners of the Small Business Week Awards at the virtual event. Among the winners were Von Kessel & Partners of iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Colorado Springs, who were named Veteran Small Business Owner of the Year. Founded by three retired Air Force Academy colonels and opened in March 2022, iFLY Indoor Skydiving is a unique indoor diving venue that offers a thrilling and safe experience to its customers.
Another winner was Behr and Behr of Platinum Group Realtors, named Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. Led by founder Ed Behr, along with brokers Renee, Brandon, Leah, and Erik Behr, this team has been serving their community for years with their real estate needs. Their commitment to customer satisfaction and providing exceptional service has made them stand out as one of the best family-owned businesses in the region.
Jackie Lujan was recognized as Young Entrepreneur of the Year for her work as founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Early Care and Education, a learning-focused daycare that provides quality care to children from infancy through kindergarten. Her innovative approach to early childhood education has earned her recognition as one of the most promising young entrepreneurs in the area.
Zachary Barker, a certified economic developer and founder of Startup Support Center, was named Small Business Champion of the Year for his work in entrepreneurship growth consulting and community development. His successful methodology for building entrepreneurship ecosystems has helped many small businesses grow and succeed over time.
Lastly, Sevan Stryker was named Small Business Person of the Year for his role as general manager at Bob Penkhus Motor Co., where he leads a team that focuses on exceptional customer service and providing top-quality automotive products to customers across Colorado Springs. Stryker’s leadership skills have helped make Bob Penkhus Motor Co. one of the most successful small businesses in town.
Small Business Week will continue through Friday with virtual workshops on topics such as marketing strategies, financial management, business planning, among others. Additionally, there will be an opportunity for attendees to network with other small business owners from around Pikes Peak Region.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “The Year of A.I (Action & Innovation).” It aims to highlight how technology can help small businesses stay competitive by streamlining operations and improving customer experiences through artificial intelligence solutions.
For further information on how to register for virtual workshops or more details about this year’s celebration visit pikespeaksbdc
