Dykes Trucking Receives Tennessee 2013 SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award
August 19, 2013
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Kim Dykes, President and Owner of Dykes Trucking, was just presented with the prominent 2013 SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award, at her place of business last week. Dykes was greeted and personally recognized by Walter Perry, District Director of the SBA Tennessee District Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
According to Perry, “This is not an award that is earned just by happenstance. This is a statewide recognition including 95 counties that is documented with proven hard work building a company and ensuring that the economic growth and job creation come right here to Fall Branch, Tennessee. This is a team effort, not just one person.”
When asked why this recognition was so important for Dykes Trucking, Aundrea Wilcox, KOSBE Executive Director, said: “In 2011, Dykes Trucking competed in our annual KOSBE Awards. Dykes was the runner-up for Business Excellence 10 Employees and Up. This is evidence that the annual KOSBE Awards are a springboard for personal and professional advancement. The real purpose is advancing your company’s name and effectiveness. Winning any award is merely the first step forward. I think you have to keep your foot on the gas pedal at all times, and she is doing just that.”
The winner of the SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award was selected by a panel of non-local judges. In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges looked at the following criteria:
- Staying power
- Growth in number of employees
- Increase in sales and/or unit volume
- Current and past financial performance
- SBA assistance provided
- Innovativeness of product or service offered
- Response to adversity
- Contributions to community-oriented projects
Small businesses are crucial to the fiscal condition of the state and numbered 560,545 in 2010. Established in 2009, Dykes Trucking, Inc. is a TDOT/DBE certified 100% woman-owned dump truck company incorporated in Fall Branch, one of the most rural areas of Tennessee. Dykes Trucking provides dump truck hauling services for residential and commercial projects including concrete and asphalt removal — sand, gravel, top soil, and mulch. Dykes Trucking employs 15 workers and 13 trucks serving Tennessee and Virginia. Most recently, Dykes Trucking has added paving, erosion control and concrete work to its service offering.
Dykes thanked her employees, the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and KOSBE for pushing her and supporting her when she was discouraged. As a result of working with KOSBE/TSBDC at ETSU, Dykes Trucking has obtained TDOT/WBE status, resulting in over $2M in contracts, which would not be possible otherwise. Next, she plans to work with KOSBE on obtaining SBA 8(a) Certification. The 8(a) program helps small firms develop and grow their businesses through one-on-one counseling, training workshops and management and technical guidance. It also provides access to government contracting opportunities, allowing them to become solid competitors in the federal marketplace.
Dykes Trucking is only the second Tri-Cities, Tennessee business to receive the SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award. In 2012, Phil and Dianna Pipkin of Phil’s Dream Pit BBQ Restaurant (534 Eastern Star Rd, Kingsport, TN 37663) received the award.
The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.
For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE — The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.
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