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          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Series
          Transportation First | State of the Airport

          The Transportation First Series offers a platform to discuss the challenges faced by our region, with the input of experts and changemakers.

          06/12/2025

          2:45pm - 4:30pm

          Hybrid | Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
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          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

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          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For over 30 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
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Chamber Announces Six Small Businesses as 2021 Small Businesses of the Year

June 7, 2021

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is pleased to award six small businesses with the title of Small Business of the Year. The annual Small Business of the Year Awards showcase the contributions of businesses to our communities, celebrating their vision in the categories of Diversity and Inclusion, Cultural Excellence, Community Impact, Innovation and Growth, CEO Leadership, and Small Business Champion.

“Congratulations to the six honorees of our annual Small Business of the Year Awards. The region’s small businesses have always been the heartbeat of our economy, fueling job growth and economic opportunity in our communities. Through the challenges of the pandemic, small businesses exhibited grit and perseverance, and during the economic recovery, we must continue to support, celebrate, and champion small businesses,” said James E. Rooney, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce.

 

Small Business of the Year Award Categories and Honorees are as follows:

Diversity & Inclusion: Coils to Locs

Founded by a cancer survivor, Coils to Locs supports hospital cancer centers and medical hair loss salons’ ability to provide access for all of their clients regardless of hair type by offering contemporary, high quality, coily, curly synthetic wigs.

Cultural Excellence:  Strategy Matters

Strategy Matters, a consulting group, works with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, and public-private partnerships to address organizational and societal challenges.

Community Impact: Forward Financing

Forward Financing, a financial technology company, helps small businesses quickly access capital needed to grow their business. Forward Financing has provided funding to more than 26,000 small businesses nationwide.

Innovation and Growth: tonneson + co

Tonneson + co provides expertise in assurance, corporate tax, mergers and acquisitions, global accounting services, and individual and fiduciary tax to privately-held businesses, nonprofits, multi-family offices, and individuals.

CEO Leadership: Moonshine 152

Moonshine 152, a restaurant in South Boston, reimagines traditional Asian recipes with uniquely New England flavors and produce. Moonshine 152 continues to shine as a favorite restaurant for many, representing the region’s multicultural history through a distinct menu.

Small Business Champion: The Castle Group 

The Castle Group, a women-owned public relations and events agency with national and global expertise, delivers creative ideas, strategies, and tactical execution to fuel client campaigns. 

Casey Baines

Director, Policy & Communications

[email protected]
617-557-7320

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Boston, MA 02110
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