Survey results show the important role of small businesses to their local communities
Building on its success in 2022, Intuit Quickbooks and Mailchimp announced the winners of its Small Business Hero awards, celebrated as part of their Small Business Success Month. Three small businesses have each been awarded $20,000 that will help them grow and contribute more to their communities.
“The importance of small businesses in our communities is undeniable, but they often don’t get the recognition they deserve,” said Alex Chriss, EVP and GM, Small Business & Self-Employed Group at Intuit. “We’re honored to spotlight these inspirational small business owners and the passion, commitment, and perseverance each of them has shown as they help strengthen the communities they serve.”
The three Small Business Day Heroes are:
No Fear Cafe based in Detroit, Michigan is a community learning center that provides fun and innovative educational programming to children and adults in marginalized communities. Founder and CEO Alicia McKay seeks to positively impact educational opportunity via a variety of STEM-based classes and work-readiness programming.
Family Faith Transportation based in La Place, Louisiana was founded by Carlton Morris to give the elderly and sick greater mobility to access needed services across southern Louisiana.
MASS Collective based in Atlanta, Georgia was founded by Gabriella Mooney to fill a specific gap for historically underrepresented and under-funded artists, makers, and artisans in Atlanta with an inclusive workspace.
No Fear Café’s Alicia McKay sums up what the $20,000 award means to her, her business and her community.
“I am so thankful and grateful for this recognition. A big focus for us is helping to equip our students with cutting edge technology which also comes with increased costs. This recognition and award will help with those costs and with staffing for our upcoming summer programming as we continue to support learning in our community.”
In addition to the Awards, Intuit QuickBooks’ survey gave insight about the important role that small businesses have in their communities. They found that:
- almost 100% of U.S. consumers believe that small businesses go “above and beyond for their customers and community”,
- 64% saw small business owners as community heroes and deserving more recognition,
- 73% of respondents say small businesses make their community a better place to live, by creating a stronger sense of community and jobs, and
- 72% of small business owners say they would not survive without local community support, and
- 49% of the suppliers they source their products and services other local businesses.
The survey results are a great affirmation of Intuit’s and Mailchimp’s decision to establish Small Business Day Heroes, while each award recipient speaks from their heart as to how the $20,000 award will positively impact their business and community spirit.
