Maine SBA announces 2019 'Small Business of the Year' awards
AUGUSTA -- Maine businesses from Allagash to Eliot will be honored May 15 when the U.S. Small Business Administration hands out awards to businesses and individuals.
Janie Wang, owner of Modernist Pantry LLC, has been named the 2019 Small Business Person of the Year Award for Maine, the organization’s top prize, the U.S. SBA announced Thursday.
“Janie’s commitment to seeking new opportunities, and to the quality of her products, serves as a powerful example to all entrepreneurs,” said Amy Bassett, SBA district director for Maine. “We are so pleased that SBA’s 504 loan program, in conjunction with financing through Bangor Savings Bank, supported the growth of this niche business in Maine. We look forward to further assisting Janie as she continues to grow her business and expand sales internationally.”
Wang’s company provides high quality, specialty cooking ingredients, as well as unique kitchen tools and gadgets through E-commerce, the news release said.
In addition to supplying top restaurants and specialty food manufacturers all over the world, Modernist Pantry also caters to adventurous home cooks. The company's product line has grown from a dozen, to well over 400 items. Janie was selected for this award because of her business growth over the past 7 years, the innovative idea behind the business, and her service to her community.
Wang was nominated for the award by Robert Nadeau of Bangor Savings Bank and Dana Lee, Eliot town manager.
Wang said the real credit goes to her hard-working team and the community. Wang recently moved the business to Eliot, on Maine’s southern border, from New Hampshire.
The award winners
Other award winners are:
Maine and New England Home Based Business of the Year — Katheryn Langelier, Herbal Revolution Farm & Apothecary LLC, of Union.
Maine Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year — Wade and Susan Kelly, Tylor Kelly Camps, of Allagash.
Maine Small Business Exporter of the Year — Kathleen O’Heron, Jynx Productions LLC, of Yarmouth.
Maine Woman Owned Small Business of the Year — Amber Elliott, Alternative Wellness Services of Biddeford.
Maine Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Tyler Frank, Garbage to Garden, of Portland.
Maine Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year — Brian Warren, The Village Woodworker, of Oxford.
Maine Minority Owned Small Business of the Year — Ahmed Abbas, Ameera Bread LLC, of Portland.
Maine Micro-Enterprise of the Year — Jill Miller, The Maine Pie Co., of Biddeford.
Maine Small Business Manufacturer of the Year — Rebecca and Troy Delano, Alfred’s Upholstery & Co., of Alfred.
Maine Financial Services Champion of the Year — Maine Technology Institute, of Brunswick.
The 2019 SBA Small Business awards celebration will be Wednesday, May 15, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park St., Freeport.
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