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National Association for the Self-Employed, in Collaboration with AARP, Provides Financial Grants to Support Small Businesses in Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Oregon, Texas, and Washington
DALLAS, TX – As our nation’s breaks historic growth with over 21+ million new business applications over the last few years, 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 fourth quarter of 2025, including three sponsored by AARP.
“Over the last few years, more than 21 million new small business applications have been filed—marking record-shattering growth and underscoring the explosive rise of self-employed individuals and micro-businesses nationwide. These entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of our economy, powering innovation, creating jobs, and embodying the resilience that defines the American spirit. We’re proud to stand with them—supporting their growth, fueling their momentum, and helping drive our communities forward,” 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, we are honored to make an investment of $4,000 to each of this quarter’s growth grant awardees, and we are grateful to both AARP and DELL Small Business for helping to support our grant program with over $1 million in grants awarded since the program’s inception.”
In 2025, with support from AARP, NASE awarded $112,000 in grants to 28 small businesses to help them improve, grow, and expand their operations. This year, NASE will continue awarding grants on a rolling basis, with hopes of increasing the total even further. Together, AARP and DELL Small Business have helped fund more than $1 million in growth grants over the life of the program, fueling entrepreneurship and economic resilience nationwide.
The recipients of the fourth quarter 2025 NASE Growth Grants are:
- The Punch House, located in Central Point, OR, owned by NASE member Jonathan LeBars, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Punch House is a boutique winery located in southern Oregon specializing in localize, handcrafted Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Jonathan intends to use the funds to improve and expand onsite facilities.
- ArtWall Pro, located in Lakewood, CO, owned by NASE member Griffin Strecker, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. ArtWall Pro believes every wall can be enhanced. They combine cutting-edge technology with artistic craftsmanship to help clients tell their story through stunning, custom-printed art that inspires and captivates. Griffin intends to use the funds to implement a targeted digital and advertising campaign.
- Kinder Kampus, LLC, located in New Britain, CT, owned by NASE member Johnika Webster, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. Kinder Kampus is a childcare facility that believes every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and inclusive space to grow, learn, and thrive. Johnika intends to use the funds to expand its quality, capacity, and sustainability of our early childhood education program.
- AdaptAbilities, located in Dallas, TX, owned by NASE member Jourdan Wolcott, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. AdaptAbilities creates and provides affordable, high-quality switch adapted toys and assistive devices for people of all ages. Jourdan intends to use the funds to finance production of materials, specifically adaptation kits.
The following Growth Grants are sponsored by AARP.
- Black Inc Consulting, LLC, located in Mobile, IN, owned by NASE member, Shawnette Bellamy, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. Black Ink Consulting provides accessible, high-impact coaching, consulting, and training that blend strategy, systems, and values for professionals, entrepreneurs, and mission-driven organizations. Shawnette intends to use the funds for increasing organizational capacity.
- Silver Streak Senior Services, located in Saginaw, TX, owned by NASE member Sherri Combs, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. Silver Streak Senior Services aims to make it simple, safe, and stress-free for seniors and caregivers to find trusted services and support. Sherri intends to use the funds to increase organizational capacity and fund current programs.
- QuickPlanet, located in Seattle, WA, owned by NASE member, Chad Sotomayor, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the fourth quarter of 2025. QuickPlanet provides information technology solutions that help businesses adapt to the changing technological landscapes, navigate the complexities and allows businesses to concentrate on what truly matters – their customers. Chad intends to use the funds to finance new employees and equipment.
For the last 40 years, NASE’s focus has been on finding the most effective way to bolster success for small business and self-employed members in communities across the country. NASE’s 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.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year and winning small businesses will be awarded $4,000 grants each quarter throughout 2026.
Visit the Growth Grant page for more information.
NASE 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 help new and existing business owners with the estimating the costs of business ownership, the NASE also offers a series of financial calculators for budgeting and financial analysis.
To become a member of NASE, apply online here.
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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. To help new and existing business owners with the costs of business ownership, the NASE also offers a series of financial calculators for budgeting and financial analysis.
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