Small Business Success Award Presented by TD Bank
At OneSpartanburg, Inc., we want to help small businesses succeed in Spartanburg County, and help potential new small businesses get their start.
Power Up Spartanburg, an initiative of Spartanburg County and OneSpartanburg, Inc., is our county's small and minority business development strategy, aiming to transform our community into the #1 place in the U.S. to start, grow, and run a small business.
Along with working closely with small businesses countywide, we want to recognize the achievement, leadership, and impact local businesses make on our organization, the local economy, and Spartanburg County at-large.
The Small Business Success Award, presented by TD Bank, is given to a deserving small business exemplifying each of these qualities.
*Note: businesses do not have to be engaged with Power Up Spartanburg to be eligible to win the Small Business Success Award.
The Small Business success award, presented by td bank
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
- Staying Power: Shows a history as an established business in Spartanburg County through time and community engagement.
- Company Growth: Shows positive growth trends in revenues and workforces.
- Innovation: Demonstrates creativity and imagination in business expansion and future planning.
- Involvement: Active as a civic partner, both as an organization and by encouraging employees to be engaged citizens.
- Response to Adversity: Facing challenges and overcoming obstacles with ingenuity, optimism and hard work.
award eligibility:
- The business must be located in Spartanburg County.
- The business must have been in operation for a minimum of 2 years.
- The business must be an investor of OneSpartanburg, Inc or Participant of Power Up Spartanburg.
- The business must have less than fifty (50) full-time employees (FTE).
- The business must not have won the Small Business of the Year Award within the last five (5) years.
SELECTION PROCESS:
- Nominees will be brought before a Selection Committee quarterly, and evaluated on the criteria above.
- Following discussion, council will approve, deny, or request further information from a nominated small business. The committee will contact businesses directly.
- Nominated small businesses will remain on the list where award-winners will be chosen for up to a year.
past SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS winners:
mike's movers
Mike’s Movers, based in Spartanburg and a Power Up Spartanburg participant, brings professionalism, care, and respect to its moves, delivering a stress-free experience during a time that can all-too-often be hectic. For their dedication to growth and success in Spartanburg, we’re proud to recognize Mike’s Movers as our February Small Business Success Award-winner, presented by TD Bank.
gold star financial
Gold Star Financial and owner Ebony Smith offer a transparent, professional approach to tax and financial services, customized to meet clients’ unique needs, from A-to-Z. Ebony works to help others with integrity, making sure clients know they aren’t being lead astray. We are proud to recognize Gold Star Financial as our Small Business Success Award winner for January, presented by TD Bank.
carolina music therapy
Carolina Music Therapy, LLC uses the therapeutic power of music and creativity to serve clients of all ages, from families and children to those in long-term care with dementia. Led by Alison Hughey, the business uses music to spur creative thinking which can help with relaxation and self-calming techniques, among many other benefits. Congrats to Carolina Music Therapy, our December Small Business Success Award-Winner, presented by TD Bank.
vintage view river retreats
Vintage View River Retreat & Adventures is the passion project of two former summer camp professionals with a deep passion for the outdoors. Founded with a commitment to creating incredible experiences for anyone looking to unplug and enjoy the outdoors, we were proud to name Vintage View our November Small Business Success Award Winner presented by TD Bank.
Hub City Delivery
Sarah and Joel Petty, owners of Hub City Delivery, are Spartanburg natives who are truly committed to our community. The pair brought Hub City Delivery to life about a decade ago, and since then, they've partnered with restaurants around the county. During COVID-19, Hub City Delivery offered free delivery for six months at a time when food delivery skyrocketed, helping Spartanburg's restaurant community operate. Sarah and Joel also dedicate themselves to working with nonprofits like the Charles Lea Center Foundation to raise awareness for those with disabilities and more. For their innovation, their success and their commitment, we're proud to name Hub City Delivery the latest winner of our Small Business Success Award, sponsored by Truist (formerly SunTrust).
Market on Main
Market on Main has been a major boost to Downtown Spartanburg, and to our area’s arts community. Market on Main, which just celebrated an expansion at its store, provides space for artists, artisans and craft-makers to sell and showcase their creations, many of which reflect the Upstate community. As announced in this video, Market on Main is welcoming Olive and Then Some to its downtown location soon, with some interesting changes on the way. For their growth downtown and contributions to our arts and business community, we’re proud to name Market on Main the latest winner of the Small Business Success Award presented by SunTrust.
Country Meat Center
The Country Meat Center in Woodruff is a three-generation family business offering customers fresh meat, seafood and other groceries from their store. They’ve found a loyal customer base in Woodruff, and expanded their services, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs to sell their good and expanding the store’s footprint. The Country Meat Center answered the call and committed to combating COVID-19, adding plexiglass, handing facemasks to customers and adding more sanitizer stations throughout its store in the past year. For their commitment to their customers, their products, local entrepreneurs and their success in the Woodruff community, we’re proud to name The Country Meat Center the latest Small Business Success Award winner, sponsored by Truist Financial, formerly SunTrust.
Mezcal
Mezcal, in addition to its great food and atmosphere, has added a culturally-diverse, vibrant atmosphere to Downtown Spartanburg SC. Led by owner Janneth Tamayo, Mezcal hosts the annual Cinco de Mayo festival each year downtown, celebrating Spartanburg’s multi-culturalism and our business community’s welcoming nature. Mezcal has become further engrained in the culture of downtown this year, as they along with many other restaurants along Main Street shared outdoor space, designated by the City of Spartanburg, SC to increase restaurant capacity and provide safe dining experiences. For their passion, culture and enthusiasm for Spartanburg, we’re proud to present the Small Business Success Award.
Fat Ass Heifer
Motlow Creek Ranch and Cider Company, founded by local entrepreneur John Macomson in Campobello, is home to the Fat Ass Heifer Cidery. The business, offering mountain views from the southern edge of the Blue Ridge, makes a variety of ciders from apples grown across the state and from 1,500 apple trees planted across the farm. Their award-winning lineup features the Palmetto State Wine Competition’s Best Cider in the State and many other varieties. For their success, scenic location and entrepreneurial spirit, we’re proud to name Fat Ass Heifer Cidery our latest Small Business Success Award winner, sponsored by Truist (formerly SunTrust).
PINK ON MAIN
Amy Zimmer, owner of Pink on Main-A Lilly Pulitzer Store, has made a home in Spartanburg, both for herself and her business. One of Downtown Spartanburg SC's most eye-catching storefronts, Pink on Main has been a popular spot for fashionistas looking for that a pop of color. This year, though, Pink on Main used those eye-catching Lily Pulitzer designs to create masks for health care workers, using 100% recycled cotton clothing to help fill a need in the community. For their sustained popularity, their investment in downtown, and their commitment to our community’s health this year, we are proud to name Pink on Main the latest winner of the Small Business Success Award, presented by Truist Financial (formerly SunTrust).
Jersey Mike's Subs
A.F. Rodgers, owner of Jersey Mike's Subs, is a Spartanburg native, having been a teacher and coach in Spartanburg School District 7. Now, he and his team at Jersey Mike's serve up freshly-made sandwiches while giving back to the community. Rodgers and his team participated in Jersey Mike's partnership with Feeding America that has provided more than 21 million meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. A.F. Rodgers believes in Spartanburg, and his business backs it up. We're proud to recognize Jersey Mike's Subs on the East Side of Spartanburg as our newest winner of the Small Business Success Award presented by SunTrust.
Health In Hand
Health in Hand recently celebrated five years in Downtown Spartanburg, originally opening its doors after owner Emily Vargo won the City’s Main Street Challenge. The fresh juice and smoothie bar offers Spartanburg diners a healthy, vegan option from a zero-waste facility. Continually innovative, Health in Hand offers easy mobile-ordering and curb-side pickup, so there's no need to wait to join us in supporting our latest Small Business Success Award winner.
Exceptional Child Academy
Exceptional Child Academy LLC owner Ashley Wilkins wanted to provide a quality education for children who, like her, were born and raised in Spartanburg. Exceptional Child Academy's child-first model provides access to early-childhood education at an affordable price for local families. We're proud to name Exceptional Child Academy our latest winner of the Small Business Success Award.