During National Small Business Week, U.S. Representative Terry Sewell (AL-07) spoke on the House floor to honor two award-winning small businesses in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.
Congressman Sewell is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Jackie Smith, owner and operator of Selma Coffee Shop and Reflections, as the recipient of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2024 Phoenix Award for Excellence in Disaster Recovery Efforts. Admitted.
Sewell also recognized Shana Ullman, Timothy Ullman and Robert Prescott of Transformation Partners LLC in Tuscaloosa as SBA’s 2024 Alabama Small Business of the Year.
Mr. Sewell’s statement is below.
Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate National Small Business Week this week, we stand to honor the award-winning small business owners of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.
“MS. Jackie Smith is the proud owner and operator of Coffee Shop and Reflections in our hometown of Selma, Alabama. After quitting her job in 2011, Jackie had the courage to start her own small For 13 years, they took the risk of starting a business and transformed what was once an isolated diner into a beautiful coffee shop in the heart of downtown Selma, where the community gathered to learn about Selma’s history and enjoy delicious food. We have provided a place to eat food.
“Like any business owner, Jackie has experienced her fair share of challenges. After the January 12, 2023 tornado, we witnessed her resilience and thanks to an investment by the SBA, we were able to open our doors and continue her great legacy of Coffee Her Shop . And in fact, she started another business called Reflections.
“This week, Jackie’s extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit earned her national recognition as a recipient of the Small Business Administration’s 2024 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Disaster Recovery Efforts. We congratulate her on her outstanding achievements.
“Today, we also received the SBA’s 2024 Alabama Small Business Excellence Award. They were Shana Ullman, Timothy Ullman, and Robert Prescott of Transformation Partners LLC in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
“Her company, which started as a statewide training provider in 2000, has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Currently, the company serves numerous clients in the fields of higher education, government, military, and corporate America, offering consulting services and employee development programs.
“Transformation Partners has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. But again, thanks to her SBA assistance, the company was able to stay in business and weather the storm. Now, for their efforts, he has been nationally recognized as the SBA’s 2024 Alabama National Small Business Employer of the Year.
“I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the outstanding entrepreneurship in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. Congratulations to all the award winners. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. ”
