National Association Awards $28K in Growth Grants to Support America’s Record-Shattering Growth in the Small Business Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 10, 2023CONTACT: Kristofer Eisenla, LUNA+EISENLA National Association for the Self-Employed, in Collaboration with AARP and DELL Small Business, Provides Financial Grants to Support Small Businesses in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, and Utah DALLAS, TX – As our nation’s small business community continues its record-breaking surge with more American’s choosing to open their own small business than ever before, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) , the nation’s leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, announced today $28,000 in Growth Grants to seven local small businesses for the first quarter of 2023. Today’s announcement also includes three Growth Grant awards sponsored by AARP , and one by DELL Small Business .“Our nation’s small business community, including self-employed and micro-businesses, are the essential fuel for America’s economic engine. Over the course of the last few years, the American small business community has experienced a surge of new small businesses opening and expanding. These new entrepreneurs represent the true spirit of America’s resilience and determination. We are proud to do our part in supporting our community’s expansion and growth,” said John Hearrell, NASE Vice President of Membership and Affiliate Programs. “From each side of Main Street to every corner of America, small businesses are delivering unique goods and services to their customers. Since 1989, our mission is built on the cornerstone of supporting these businesses to grow and succeed. With support from AARP and DELL Small Business, it’s an honor to make an investment of $4,000 in each of these Growth Grant recipients, bringing our total grant awards to over $1 million since the program’s inception.” Last year, NASE awarded $88,000 in total grants to 22 small businesses to support their growth and expansion of business operations while also helping them emerge from the COVID pandemic. In 2023, the NASE has increased its awards even more.2023 NASE Growth Grants are:The Kings Accountant, located in Yuba City, CA, owned by NASE member Joseph Ensley, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. The King’s Accountant provides top-tier accounting services and consulting to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families. Their goal is to organize, optimize and automate your accounting systems.Jen’s Gourmet Cakes , located in Chesterton, IN, owned by NASE member Jenny Yednak, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. Jen’s Gourmet Cakes offers high-quality dessert-style and custom-made cakes made from scratch. Featuring a variety of multi-ethnic flavors from the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, France, and Italy. Their cakes are one-of-a-kind and exceptionally delicious.The following Growth Grants are sponsored by AARP. Exposure Best Photography , located in Cincinnati, OH, owned by NASE member Tiffany Ferrari, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. Exposure Best Photography aims to capture you in the most authentic and genuine way possible, while providing you with a 5-star experience.Battery Express , located in Lauderhill, FL, owned by NASE member Elston Joyner, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. Battery Express sells and recycles all things batteries, from automotive to marine and both foreign and domestic.Saigon Fresh Noodles , located in Duluth, GA, owned by NASE member Dan Vu, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. Saigon Fresh Noodles is a family run noodle manufacturer that specializes in pho noodles, bun bo hue noodles, my qaung and more.The following Growth Grant is sponsored by DELL Small Business. Fungal Focus , located in Salt Lake City, UT, owned by NASE member Kathryn Lawson, was awarded a first quarter Growth Grant in 2023. Fungal Focus seeks to support and expand Utah’s community of mushroom growers and fungal advocates by seeking to build affordable, accessible, and engaging grow kits and workshops for folks of all ages.Growth Grant Program is intended for businesses planning to take the next step in their venture. It provides available capital for small businesses and sole proprietors to be able to hire and train additional employees, market their business in new and existing ways or invest in new equipment or software.Growth Grant pageNASE members also enjoy a comprehensive list of benefits designed to help small business owners and sole proprietors start and grow their business. A complete listing of benefits available to NASE members is available, here . NASE members are offered a host of resources designed to help support entrepreneurs and small employers including access to professional “Ask the Experts” services in tax, health care and marketing, a navigational assistant health care portal , scholarships and grants, discounts on shipping rates and office supplies, and affordable email marketing systems and webhosting services. NASE’s newest member benefits continue the tradition of providing real-world, bottom-line assistance to small business owners. To become a member of NASE, apply online here. ###The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is the nation's leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-businesses, offering a broad range of benefits to help entrepreneurs succeed and to drive the continued growth of this vital segment of the American economy. The NASE NextBizThing helps identify and connect our nation’s smallest businesses. Need small business help? Check out NASE’s Ask the Experts for advice or the NASE Minute for small business support. The NASE is a 501(c) (6) nonprofit organization and provides big-business advantages to hundreds of thousands of micro-businesses across the United States. For more information, visit the association's website at NASE.org