ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - We continue to take a look at the finalists for the Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Gala. Tonight we highlight the finalists for the Emerging Business Award sponsored by State Bank. Those nominated are:
"If you're always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be." That's the motto of A&P's Beauty Select LLC. The company was founded in 2020 by Ashley Penwell as a transformational experience in the first mobile salon in Allen County. Setting up shop during the pandemic wasn't easy, but her client base grew to a current count of 300, and sales increased more than ninefold, which has allowed her to add a second vehicle to her mobile salon.
The Red Fox Boutique on Harding Highway grew from an online basement boutique owned by Lori Jackson starting in 2022. Jackson started attending craft shows and events with her casual country attire. As word spread, so did her business, and she bought a brick-and-mortar location at the Eastgate Shopping Center, which has helped her see a 77% increase in sales. The Red Fox Boutique also supports many youth and community events.
The inception of Steady Does It Mechanical Services LLC started in a living room where Chris Henderson and Tara Shepherd believed that everyone, despite their financial circumstances, deserves sanitary conditions when it comes to plumbing. Henderson, a skilled tradesman, left the union hall environment and began training a new generation of plumbers. In 2023, Steady Does It Mechanical Services proudly became the first minority-owned union contractor for UA Local 776.
The winner will be announced at the Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce's Gala event on May 1st at the UNOH Event Center.
