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Wisconsin SBDC clients recognized at White House event

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two Wisconsin business owners were among five America’s SBDC clients who visited the White House Aug. 1 for the “Small Business in America – The Engine of the American Dream” roundtable.
Hometown Trolley of Crandon and Northern Star Fire of Eau Claire were invited, along with Veterans MFG and Bear Creek Smokehouse of Texas and Motus Motorcycles of Alabama, plus dozens of other businesses from around the country.
President Donald Trump spoke about job growth, growing small business industries and the future of small business. “My administration will be with you every step of the way,” he said.
Trump was joined by U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon and the president’s Senior Adviser, Ivanka Trump, who later talked about today’s small businesses and took questions from attendees.
Hometown Trolley CEO Kristina Pence-Dunow, the Wisconsin SBA Small Business Person of the Year, said, “I am so honored to be selected. I am excited about this opportunity to speak for small business and women in Manufacturing and of course I will be sure to mention how great the SBDC and SBA and especially our Wisconsin branch!” (WSAW advance interview)
“Northern Star Fire is humbled to have been invited to the White House to discuss small business in America,” said Jeff Dykes of Northern Star Fire. “We’d like to thank all of the local and state agencies that helped us along the way.”
Dykes appeared on the front page of the Eau Claire Leader-Telegam Tuesday morning and received additional attention the morning after the visit with an interview on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo.
“We are delighted to see SBDC clients recognized at the White House. These businesses have worked hard, provided fantastic products and solutions in their industries and their SBDCs are proud to have helped them. We join the president in supporting their efforts and the success of all small businesses” said Charles “Tee” Rowe, President & CEO of America’s SBDC.