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Home > Press Release > Chamber Announces Six Small Businesses as 2021 Small Businesses of the Year
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          2026 Pinnacle Awards

          Join on us on Friday, January 30, as we host our highly anticipated 2026 Pinnacle Awards Luncheon.

          01/30/2026

          11:00am - 1:30pm

          Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport

          arrow-go
          Read More
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          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
          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
          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
          Partnership with Boston Public Schools 

          The Chamber Foundation invites the business community to engage with Boston Public Schools leaders and their students to help build the future workforce.

          Read More
          Strategic Communication for Better Collaboration

          Level up your leadership and communication in this Boston Chamber workshop for professionals—gain essential skills in team alignment.

          Read More
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          Expanding Opportunity

          Learn how we advance talent and small business growth.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Foundation Initiatives
          Programming That Empowers

          Explore our key priorities and strategic efforts.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Upcoming Events
          Get Involved

          Join us at our next Foundation event.

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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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