While the state’s industry giants often dominate the business headlines, Team South Carolina understands the importance of supporting companies of all shapes and sizes. After all, more than 97 percent of all private employers in South Carolina are small businesses. And, we have a multitude of micro-businesses – firms with five or fewer employees – operating within our borders.
Last month, to support these firms and the organizations that provide resources to them, the 2017 S.C. Micro Enterprise Developers Conference was held in Columbia, S.C. A highlight of this year’s event was the S.C. Micro Pitch competition, which gave aspiring and current business owners the opportunity to win up to $3,000 in cash for their small business. S.C. Commerce’s own Senior Program Director for Small Business Ashley Teasdel participated as a judge.
The competition’s top winner – and the recipient of the $3,000 reward – was Anchor Shred & Recycle Co., which utilizes a mobile application to provide immediate access and on-demand trash pickup. KBlock Tools LLC, a firm with a product aimed at making fire hoses more user-friendly, and Wicks and Scents, a handcrafted home fragrances company, placed second and third, respectively.
For more information on various resources available to small businesses in South Carolina, click here.