Local Entrepreneurs Recognized at Small Business Awards
(Colorado Springs, CO) – Six local small businesses and entrepreneurs were recognized in front of their peers on Monday night at the Small Business BASH and Awards Celebration held at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
The event served as an opportunity to bring the business community together for an evening of celebration, connection and recognition. It was also the official kickoff to Pikes Peak Small Business Week, which is presented for the 20th straight year by U.S. Bank and cohosted by the Colorado Small Business Development Center Serving the Pikes Peak Region, Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado, and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.
“Small Business Week works because of partnership—and the partnership between the Chamber & EDC, the Pikes Peak SBDC, and the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado is one of the reasons this celebration has become such a powerful tradition in our community,” said Jonathan Liebert, Chief Executive Officer of the Better Business Bureau of Southern Colorado.
The theme of this year’s Pikes Peak Small Business Week is “Navigate the Small Business Safari,” which Pikes Peak SBDC Executive Director Brandon Eldridge said served as the perfect metaphor for starting and succeeding in small business.
“A safari is a journey. It is an adventure. It requires curiosity, courage, preparation, adaptability, and the willingness to move forward even when the path ahead is uncertain. And, honestly, that sounds a lot like what it means to be a small business owner,” Eldridge said in opening the evening. “Every small business represented here tonight has been on its own safari—navigating changing markets, workforce challenges, new technologies, economic uncertainty, customer expectations, and the daily reality of building something meaningful from the ground up.”
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC President & CEO Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer closed the evening and praised the small business community in the Pikes Peak Region.
“You are the heartbeat of our region, and your dedication, creativity, and leadership inspire us all,” she said. “We’re incredibly proud to celebrate you and all that you do to make Southern Colorado a vibrant, resilient, and thriving place to live and do business.”
Learn more about the award winners below:
Small Business Person of the Year
Jackie Lujan – The Lighthouse Early Care and Education
One of the evening’s top awards was presented to Jackie Lujan, owner of The Lighthouse Early Care and Education. The Small Business Person of the Year Award honors a business owner, operator, or team with at least a three-year track record who demonstrates the qualities of a successful entrepreneur, including growth in sales, net profit, net worth, number of employees, staying power, innovation, overcoming adversity, and meaningful community contributions.
In a county with a deficit of 18,000 childcare slots, Lujan felt the calling to help bridge the gap in a particularly underserved area of our community—Southeast Colorado Springs.
“The story of our lives is that we do live in a childcare desert, but with influence, support, connections of our community, I truly believe that we can overcome this barrier. With the support of our communities, our leaders, our chambers, our mayor, governor, senators … we can overcome this,” Lujan said.
Just over three years into founding The Lighthouse Early Care and Education, Lujan and her staff now serve more than 80 children ages 2-12 with plans to expand to a second facility.
“I always say, if it does take a village to raise a child, then it truly does take a community to build a business,” Lujan said. “And we’re not done yet. Colorado Springs is a community of action … When we see a problem, we step in, we solve it. And each of us has a unique superpower. And when we come together, that’s where real impact happens.”
Small Business Champion of the Year
Beth Taylor – Colorado APEX Accelerator
The Small Business Champion of the Year Award was presented to Beth Taylor—Executive Director of the Colorado APEX Accelerator, which provides consultation services to companies looking to find, bid and win government contracts.
Taylor received the award in recognition of her commitment to advancing small business opportunities as well as her work advocating, promoting and serving the small business community. During the ceremony, she was honored for the wealth of experience in economic development and business growth she brings to the small business community and for serving as a connector, an advocate, and a trusted resource for businesses across both Colorado and the Pikes Peak region.
“I love our community and [this award] means a lot,” Taylor said. “Ninety-five percent of our business are small, and I adore every single small business in this community.”
Microbusiness of the Year
Financial Talent Group
The evening was highlighted by the addition of a new award – Microbusiness of the Year – which recognizes the achievements of a business with 10 staff members or less. The inaugural honoree was Financial Talent Group, a boutique staffing firm specializing in accounting, finance, banking, and human resources, and executive placements across the Front Range.
Financial Talent Group is owned and founded by Melissa Scruggs, who brought 25 years of leadership experience as she built the company around a human-centric approach, helping businesses find the right talent while helping professionals build meaningful careers.
“It’s been a crazy year for us. Small business is not for the faint of heart. It’s a lot of work,” Scruggs said. “Those of you that have your own business know, you have good days and bad days, but It’s amazing.”
Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Valor Archery Challenge
Founded by Sam Westfall, a U.S. Army veteran, Valor Archery Challenge is a traveling 3D archery event company, dedicated to serving military personnel, veterans, and the public through the therapeutic power of archery. Through their events, Valor was recognized for building camaraderie, strengthening bonds, and promoting well-being for those who serve the community around them and for the company’s commitment to the community and other veteran-owned businesses.
“Thank you for all of you for coming out and slinging some arrows with me down the road,” Westfall said to the crowd after receiving his award.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Bob Penkhus Motor Co.
A fixture of the Colorado Springs Community for the last 75 years, Bob Penkhus Motor Co. was presented with the Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award. Sevan Stryker accepted the award on behalf of the company, which has grown from humble beginnings into a trusted, family-owned dealership known for customer service, quality vehicles, and community connection.
“This is a huge year for us at Penkhus. It’s our 75th year serving the Colorado Springs market. It was Bob Sr. who started it all 75 years ago as a simple used car lot in the middle of downtown Colorado Springs. And now we have four vibrant dealerships that serve various parts of the Colorado Springs community,” Stryker said. “We take great honor in being a part of something that’s as important as it is to the family and the impact that it has on our community.”
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Logan Bryson – LINE-X of Co Springs
Presented to a business leader under the age of 35, the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award went to Logan Bryson, owner of the local franchise of LINE-X, for demonstrating innovativeness and commitment to the community.
Bryson, who has built a business known for tough, durable truck bed liners, protective coating and shrink accessories, was praised during the ceremony for bringing grit, energy and an entrepreneurial spirit as a young leader to locally owned Colorado Springs business.
“It’s a blessing to be here. Everybody that surrounds me—my family, friends, beautiful wife, my 11-month-old daughter—made it even more special,” Bryson said in accepting the award.
Tickets for Small Business Week events are available at www.pikespeaksbw.com.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Tuesday, May 5: AI Power Up
Tava House
8 – 10 a.m.
Power up your business with a practical and engaging look at how AI is transforming the way we work. This session will explore real tools, trends, and strategies to help small businesses work smarter and stay competitive. Enjoy coffee and muffins while gaining valuable insights on the future of business technology.
Wednesday, May 6: Small Business Listening Tour
Catalyst Campus
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
A collaborative session where small business owners share challenges and opportunities directly with policymakers. Lunch tables will be structured as working groups to facilitate meaningful feedback and discussion.
Panelists include:
Brian Risley, Colorado Springs City Council President Pro Tem
Lauren Nelson, Vice Chair of the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners
Jessie Kimber, City of Colorado Springs Director of Economic Development
Crystal LaTier, El Paso County Economic Development Executive Director
Thursday, May 7: Pitch Competition
Mentally STRONG
4 – 7 p.m.
In partnership with Predictive AI, this exciting pitch competition will showcase innovative small businesses and startups leveraging artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems. Attendees will hear live pitches from entrepreneurs competing for a $50,000 prize package of AWS AI services, highlighting the cutting edge of AI-driven business innovation.
Friday, May 8: Closing Celebration
Trainwreck
4 – 6 p.m.
Wrap up the week with a networking celebration at Trainwreck! Enjoy a cash bar (with one drink ticket per guest), light refreshments, a chance to connect with peers and partners, and maybe a door prize or two!