SCORE: Celebrates accomplishments of Wisconsin businesses partnering with the U.S. SBA during pandemic

Appreciation events to follow National Small Business Week from September 20-28, 2021 

Milwaukee – SCORE, a nonprofit organization offering workshops and mentoring to startups and existing small businesses, is recognizing the critical role played by the Wisconsin office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help businesses devastated by the restrictions and shutdowns because of the pandemic.

This year, SCORE joins other SBA Resource Partners statewide – the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC)the Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) and Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council – in addition to Wisconsin Business Development, Inc., (WBD) in selecting six small businesses across the state that used the financial resources and technical assistance of the group during the on-going crisis. They include the following:

  • Cozy Inn Restaurant – Janesville
    • Retained Valued Employees. 100-year-old restaurant saved by the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
    • Event: Monday, September 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at The Venue in Janesville
    • Register Here!
  • Healing Elements Day Spa – West Bend 
    • SBA loans allowed the spa to save on its monthly loan payments and eventually return to business following an eight-week shutdown
    • Event: Wednesday, September 22 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Commerce State Bank in West Bend
    • Register Here!              
  • JB’s on 41 – Milwaukee
  • SBA pandemic relief loans helped the bowling center comeback after a two-month shutdown
  • Event: Wednesday, September 22 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Commerce State Bank in West Bend
  • Register Here!          
  • Turn Around or No Plan. Went from Gym to manufacturing using a micro loan and PPP
  • Event: Saturday, September 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Orthdx Natural Fitness in Madison
  • Register Here!
  • Reynolds Packaging – Green Bay
    • Pivot to a New Segment or Product. Company made masks during pandemic.
    • Event: Monday, September 27 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Miller Lite Lounge at Lambeau Field (South Gate entrance) in Green Bay
    • Register Here!
  • Sunnydaze Décor (Net Health Shops) – Eau Claire
    • Growth – Larger Business. Pandemic caused them to change course and thrive as a business using assistance to fund growth and focus on e-commerce.
    • Event: Tuesday, September 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Sunnydaze Décor in Eau Claire
    • Register Here!

A video premiere (at live receptions across the state) is planned for the featured businesses from September 20 – 28, 2021. The receptions will include staff from the SBA and other resources partners, local lenders, and city/government leaders to celebrate the SBA’s success. Byline Bank is sponsoring this year’s events.

During “normal” years the SBA and partners select several outstanding small businesses from across Wisconsin and honor them at the Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast in May. This practice remains suspended at this time.

About SCORE 

Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. The organization’s 11,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops, and educational services to more than 1,500 communities nationwide, creating nearly 30,000 new businesses and 67,000 non-owner jobs in 2019. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

SCORE is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, contact one of our five Wisconsin chapters: SCORE SE Wisconsin, https://sewisconsin.score.org/; SCORE Madison,

https://madison.score.org/; SCORE Fox Cities https://foxcities.score.org/; Green Bay SCORE, https://greenbay.score.org/; and SCORE West Central Wisconsin & UP of Michigan, https://centralwisconsin.score.org/.