Business – Curtis Hennigar

What Counts as a Small Business According to the United States SBA?

The owner of a valet parking company operating in several states, Curtis Hennigar, oversees the management team and employees. Under Curtis Hennigar’s guidance, the company won the 1998 Small Business of the Year award.

Small businesses are privately-owned corporations, sole proprietorships, and partnerships that adhere to size and revenue standards set by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA defines small businesses as companies with 1,500 employees or fewer employees and less than $38.5 million in annual receipts.

These requirements vary by industry, though. For example, the SBA does not recognize an entity as a small business in the manufacturing and mining industry if it has over 500 employees. At the same time, special trade contractors must make less than $12 million a year, while retail and service companies must have less than $6 million in revenue.

In addition, all small businesses must meet defining qualifications. The business must establish its headquarters operate primarily in the United States. It must remain an independently owned and operated for-profit business. Companies that dominate their field are not recognized as small businesses, regardless of the number of employees or revenue.

Key Considerations When Applying for a Small Business Award

Curtis Hennigar studied business at Broward community college and has served as owner of CAH Palm Beach since 1982. Under the direction of Curtis Hennigar, CAH Palm Beach provides valet parking services in multiple locations across the USA and was the recipient of a Small Business of the Year award in 1998.

With many small business awards available, it can be difficult to choose which opportunities to apply for. However, business owners should avoid applying for every award and instead, focus on awards that will most positively impact their business if won.

Owners should determine how much exposure will be gained from winning a particular award and what the level of competition for winning it is to help them decide whether to apply for either a local, regional, or national award. Business owners are also wise to consider applying for an award that the competition has previously won, since winning the same award can provide an instant boost in their company’s credibility.

An ideal place to search for available business awards to apply for is within the same industry since industry organizations typically offer awards at regional and national levels in areas such as customer service and achievement. Other award opportunities may also be available through organizations including the local chamber of commerce and U.S. Small Business Administration. For more detailed information on small business awards available to apply for, owners may wish to consult the list published by Fundera.

Tips for Small Business Owners

African american bank manager owner ceo business man standing confidently with pride in financial building

A longtime entrepreneur based in southern Florida, Curtis Hennigar holds a business degree from Broward College. Since 1982, Curtis Hennigar has owned and operated CAH Palm Beach, a valet parking company with headquarters in Palm Beach and additional locations in Vermont, Missouri, and Minnesota. In 1998, the company earned recognition as a Small Business of the Year.

Being your own boss can be as stressful as it is rewarding. To minimize stress as a small business owner, consider the following tips:

1. Be specific. Clarify your focus, and stick to that. An overly broad or complicated business prospect can be confusing for your potential clients.

2. Calculate carefully. Be conservative as you estimate costs such as rent, materials, marketing, and supplies, and build in a significant cushion for unexpected expenses. Most small businesses take several years to begin making a profit.

3. Find support. Work with a business mentor or tap into a network of local business owners. Learning from people who are already running their own companies can go a long way in helping you prevent costly mistakes.

Basic Tips for Aspiring Small Business Owners

Curtis Hennigar is the owner of CAH Palm Beach in Boca Raton, Florida, a valet parking company he established in 1977. The business has thrived over the last 43 years, expanding to multiple cities throughout the United States. In 1998, Curtis Hennigar received the Small Business of the Year award.

Starting a small business is a huge undertaking that requires numerous steps, considerable dedication, and a significant amount of time. Furthermore, the industry and the type of business will dictate further challenges and goals.

Many small businesses are launched based on an idea or product. While a quality product and a team passionate about that product are very important, many small business owners fail to put as much research into market conditions as they do the product. Not only is comprehensive market knowledge paramount to the success of a small business, but it can also reveal that, despite how interesting or useful a product is, there is no market for the service at all.

Another key consideration must be made in regards to a small business owner’s support team. While certain products and services can be largely maintained by a single person, it is typically unrealistic to assume that a person can successfully conceptualize, establish, and launch a new business all on their own. Support teams should offer both professional support and emotional assistance in times of need.

Finally, a small business owner must, unsurprisingly, work out a sound business model. Again, an individual may have a great product and an understanding of all relevant markets, but without a concise business plan, taking a product to market will be a disaster at best and, more likely, an impossibility.

How Small Business Awards Can Benefit Your Business

South Florida entrepreneur Curtis Hennigar owns and operates CAH Palm Beach, which provides customers with a range of valet parking services. Since its founding in 1982, CAH Palm Beach has continued to offer exceptional service to clients, and was recognized as the Small Business of the Year in 1998, an honor it achieved in part due to the oversight of owner and operator Curtis Hennigar.

For many small businesses, it might seem like too much extra work to apply for small business awards. After all, small business owners are usually quite busy owning and operating their businesses. But the truth is that your company can benefit from these awards in a number of important ways:

1. Press recognition – Winning an award means that your business is going to get more attention in the press. Many winners receive press opportunities, including a mention in local or national news, which can bring your company to the attention of customers it might not have reached otherwise.

2. Bragging rights – Awards are a great way to attract the attention of new customers who will be impressed by the accolade next to the name of your business. Today, more customers than ever make decisions about companies before they ever leave their houses, by searching for businesses on sites like Google and looking for reviews. When an award pops up next to a business, they might be even more likely to seek you out.

3. Financial opportunities – Many small business awards come with financial awards of some kind, whether in the form of a grant, cash prize, or other award. You may also have a chance to receive some industry perks, such as free hotel stays or admission to a conference (since many awards are sponsored by other organizations). This can be a great benefit for your business as well.