Celebrating Success Against the Odds: Small Business Owner Jackie Smith’s Journey to Receive National Award

In honor of National Small Business Week, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell of Alabama’s 7th district will be hosting a virtual discussion on Monday, April 29th at 3 p.m. CDT to celebrate the contributions of small businesses and their impact on the economy. The discussion, titled “Sipping on Success: The Story of Selma’s Award-Winning Small Business Owner Jackie Smith,” will feature Ms. Jackie Smith, the owner of The Coffee Shoppe in Selma, who will be receiving the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 Phoenix Award for Outstanding Disaster Recovery Efforts at a special ceremony in Washington D.C. next week.

During the virtual discussion, Rep. Sewell and Ms. Smith will highlight the barriers that Ms. Smith has overcome as a small business owner and the crucial role that small businesses play in our economy.

For over 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has been celebrating National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

This year, National Small Business Week will take place from April 28th to May 4, 2024, honoring the hard work, creativity, and dedication of small businesses and their impact on the economy.

Small businesses are essential to our communities and our economy as they create jobs, support local economies and provide goods and services to consumers.

Ms. Smith is an excellent example of how small business owners can persevere through challenges like natural disasters or economic downturns.

The Coffee Shoppe has become an integral part of Selma’s community life by providing a place for people to gather for coffee or a meal with friends and family.

The event will be streamed live on Sewell’s official Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages so that viewers can learn more about Ms. Smith’s story and gain insights into what makes small businesses successful.

Overall National Small Business Week aims to raise awareness about the importance of supporting small businesses while also highlighting their accomplishments during this challenging time for many entrepreneurs across America