(Columbia SC) – The South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC), the state’s premier provider of business assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners, is pleased to announce that four of its clients were recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration-South Carolina District Office (SBA) for outstanding achievement in special categories significant to the small business community.
The awards were presented by South Carolina SBA District Director Gregg White in a ceremony honoring National Small Business Week held May 5 in Columbia at the Medallion Conference Center. The event was hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration-South Carolina District Office and the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities. Salute to Small Business Week is a National annual event organized by the SBA.

The SBA named Tremaine Moore of Naturally Geechee the 2023 South Carolina Female Small Business Person of the Year, Marvin Ross of Peculiar Pig Farm South Carolina Minority Small Business Person of the Year and Michael O’Shaughnessy Williams of Calavera Tool Works South Carolina Rural Small Business Owner of the Year. Joseph Wilson Jr. of Toll Solutions was named the SBA’s National Exporter of the Year.
The Greenville Area SBDC led by Area Manager and business consultant Earl Gregorich was honored as the state’s SBDC Center of Excellence and Innovation.
“The development and growth of small businesses in South Carolina are essential to the state’s overall economy,” said SC SBDC State Director Michele Abraham. “The SC SBDC is honored to be supporting companies like Naturally Geechee, Toll Solutions, Peculiar Pig Farm and Calavera Tool Works to help them succeed. These clients are living proof that innovativeness, dedication and perseverance are conduits to success. The SC SBDC couldn’t be prouder of these four clients and is honored to be a part of their stories.”