Small Business Alliance
Small Business, Big Changes BY GRACE STOCKLEY AND JOE NADEL
IT IS SAFE TO SAY no one expected what 2020 had in store for Delaware’s small businesses. It was a year like no other with the COVID19 pandemic changing daily life as we knew it. Like many small businesses that were forced to change their business model to remain viable, the Small Business Alliance (SBA) was no different. Due to the pandemic the SBA’s Annual Small Business Day in Dover was canceled. However, as the saying goes “the show must go on” and the SBA virtually held its marquee event on November 4th, the 22nd Annual Marvin S Gilman Superstars in Business Awards. Despite the inability to gather at the historic Hotel du Pont, the event was a memorable and special celebration of Delaware’s small business community! The keynote speaker was Alisa Morkides, founder and owner of Brew HaHa! Alisa shared her experience as a small business owner in the hospitality industry during a pandemic, including lessons learned to overcome adversity. The program also featured remarks from Ernie Dianastasis of The Precisionists, Inc. Ernie shared his entrepreneurial journey and how his organization creates meaningful employment for the nation’s neurodiverse workforce. The 2020 Superstars in Business winners included: AlphaGraphics (1-24 employees); Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC (25-59 employees); Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (60-150 employees); and Preston’s March for
“This year’s Superstar’s event was one to remember! Hands down, the best online experience I’ve had so far!” — Chevonne Boyd, Jobs for Delaware Graduates, Inc. 64
Energy (Nonprofit). The Award of Excellence Recipient was Jobs for Delaware Graduates, Inc. (Nonprofit). This year’s prestigious Gilman Bowl honor was awarded to David F. Lyons, Sr. His wife, Catherine N. Lyons accepted the award with her sons, David Jr. and Timothy by her side.
“The app actually offered a level of engagement that I wasn’t expecting! Rather than cold and mundane, the experience felt warm, inclusive, and fun.” — Alissa Bestwick, BHI Although this year’s event was virtual, the Superstars in Business winners were invited to Hotel du Pont to receive their awards at a ceremony that was recorded for the virtual production. Also to keep the tradition of the Gilman Bowl winner a surprise, the Lyons’ family was invited to the Hotel for what they thought was a small business interview. The presentations were shared with more than 200 people in the State Chamber’s virtual event platform. The event concluded with a Meet the Superstars session where attendees could personally congratulate and network with the winners in their own Zoom rooms. As we move into 2021, the Small Business Alliance looks forward to continuing to serve the small business membership of the State Chamber and beyond. Additionally, we look forward to expanding our membership and increasing diversity and participation on the committee in order to more effectively help serve and support our members. If we learned anything from 2020, it’s that while we’re uncertain of the challenges that lie ahead – we’re certain we can overcome any obstacles together. n Jan uar y / Fe b r uar y 2021 | DELAWARE BUSINESS
