Meet the 2020 SBA NJ Small Business Person of the Year Award Winner

Fourteen years ago, Chris Finnick jumped from behind the wheel of driving a delivery truck for Staples to get behind the grill of his uncle’s southern style barbeue takeout restaurant.  Today, the CEO and owner of Mama’s Southern Style BBQ 2 was named the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New Jersey 2020 Small Business Person of the Year.  The award is part of this year’s celebration of National Small Business Week (Sept. 20 - 26), where the SBA honors and recognizes the achievements of small business owners across the country.

According to SBA New Jersey District Director Al Titone, Finnick was nominated for the award by David Margulies, regional director of the Kean University New Jersey Small Business Development  Center and was selected for the award based on criteria that include: Staying Power (a substantial history of an established business); Growth in Number of Employees; Increase in Sales; Financial Strength of the Company; Innovativeness of Product or Service Offered; Contributions to Aid Community Oriented Projects; and being Aided by the Programs and Services of the SBA.

To learn more about Christopher Finnick's journey to success, please watch the SBA's New Jersey District office virtual Small Business Week Ceremony here.