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National Association for the Self-Employed, in Collaboration with AARP, Provides Financial Grants to Support Small Businesses in California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Oregon, and Wisconsin

National Association Awards $28K in Growth Grants Supporting America’s Record-Setting Growth in the Small Business Community

DALLAS, TX – As our nation’s small business community continues its record-breaking surge with over 21 million new business applications over the last four 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 third quarter of 2025, including three sponsored by AARP.

“Over the past four 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 2024 with the support of AARP and DELL Small Business, NASE awarded $112,000 in total grants to 28 small businesses to support their efforts to improve, grow and expand business operations.  This year, NASE will continue to award grants throughout the year hoping to increase them even more.

The recipients of the third quarter 2025 NASE Growth Grants are: 

• Blakely Studio, located in The Dalles, OR, owned by NASE member Hunter Blakely, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Blakely Studio provides music production and audio engineering services for The Dalles community as well as the surrounding area. Hunter intends to use the funds to fund a professional workstation, high-speed storage, and networking equipment. These investments will improve workflow efficiency, safeguard business continuity, and position the studio to compete in today’s digital economy.
• Nacho Average Snacks Vending, located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, owned by NASE member Nick Arellano, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Nacho Average Snacks Vending provides snacking and vending services for Rancho Cucamonga and surrounding Inland Empire area. Nick intends to use the funds to increase capacity, including the purchase of combo vending machine.
• Drone Operations LLC, located in Mosinee, WI, owned by NASE member Erica Thompson, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Drone Operations LLC offers embodied AI robotics, autonomous drones & UAVmanufacturing & AI consulting. Erica intends to use the funds for critical hardware purchases that will directly accelerate its R&D and team expansion, including advanced technology and AI tools.
• Safahla Medical PLLC, located in Corning, NY, owned by NASE member Rashida Vassell, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Safahla Medical PLLC offers bespoke wellness for longevity medicine and aesthetic care. Rashida intends to use the funds specifically to acquire and implement professional-grade solutions that would otherwise be unaffordable, ensuring the practice's long-term financial viability and operational independence, which includes advanced digital tools and professional brand development.

The following Growth Grants are sponsored by AARP. 

• Eskae Interiors, located in Miami, FL, owned by NASE member Sorraya Guillaume, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Eskae Interiors offers luxury interior design in Miami, specializing in bespoke spaces that balance elegance and function. From full-scale renovations and custom kitchens to curated furniture and décor, each project is tailored to reflect refined taste and individual lifestyle. Sorraya intends to use the funds to increase capacity through professional development, marketing and outreach, and operational support.
• Flow Tech Academy, located in Cumming, GA, owned by NASE member Edwin Jean-Gilles, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Flow Tech Academy is a premium educational content company specializing in AI integration training for IT professionals and businesses. Edwin intends to use the funds to upgrade his capabilities through the purchase of new professional video equipment, software and tools, and marketing.
• Stargazer Electric and Lighting, located in Cape Coral, FL, owned by NASE member Ralph Sepulveda, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Stargazer Electric and Lighting has over 25 years of experience delivering expert residential, commercial, and modular electrical services. Ralph intends to use the funds for professional development efforts, including marketing and customer acquisition, tools and equipment upgrades, digital tools utilization and insurance and licensing support. 

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 in 2025 and 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