What do America's most successful small businesses have in common? Who better to provide some answers to that question than the 53 Small Business Persons of 2001?

Honored last week in Washington, D.C. as part of the celebration of National Small Business Week, the 53 "Class of 2001" winners were selected in a rigorous nomination and nation-wide review process involving all 70 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) district offices. Each business was rated based on its record of stability, growth in employment and sales, financial condition, innovation, response to adversity, and service to the community. A winner was selected from each state, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. 

While involvement with the SBA was not a selection criteria, more than half of America's top small businesses reported receiving financial or management assistance from the SBA at some point.

Speaking at the opening ceremonies of the National Small Business Week observance in Washington, Acting SBA Administrator John Whitmore stated, "This is a testament to the rewards, both financial and personal, that come from owning a small business. But let no one think for a moment that the job of entrepreneurship is easy. That’s why once a year the nation celebrates National Small Business Week and the men and women who are the heart and soul of American free enterprise – America’s small business owners." [See: President Bush's Remarks]

When surveyed about the keys to their success, all 53 Small Business Persons of the year agreed that despite the hard work, long hours, stress and anxiety that is part of starting and growing a small business, they would do it all over again.

Along with their conviction to succeed, America's best small business owners found they shared another common attribute -- each is technology-savvy and makes personal computers and integral part of their business. Seven out of eight small businesses reported having a Web page on the Internet and over half do business directly over the Internet via e-commerce applications.

What kinds of small businesses ranked among America's best in 2001? Among the 53 "Class of 2001" were a diverse mix that included: a florist, an educational software developer, a car battery manufacturer, an amusement/theme park operator, a boxed chocolate manufacturer, a fitness club owner, a sapphire jewelry manufacturer, a custom iron works products designer, a tropical fish dealer, and a luxury linen manufacturer.

One of every four winners is in manufacturing; one of five is in a retail business. Nine percent of the businesses are in computer technology, 7 percent in construction and 17 percent in some kind of professional service – real estate, engineering, accounting or the like.

Women own 28 percent of the winning businesses and 25 percent are minority-owned: 6 percent by African Americans; 8 percent are by Hispanic Americans and 4 percent by Asian Americans. Veterans own 17 percent.

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