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Great Falls woman among 11 Montanans to be honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year by SBA

Just three years after she opened the doors of her business, Great Falls businesswoman Rachel Campbell has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2003 Montana Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

By BETH BRITTON
Tribune Business Editor

Campbell, 30, owns Rachel’s Furniture Gallery, 900 6th St. S.W.

Campbell is one of 11 small-business owners and advocates from throughout Montana who will be recognized at the SBA’s annual Small Business Week luncheon May 30 in Helena.

"She’s young, she’s dynamic, and she’s already looking at growth potential," said Michelle Johnston, the district director for the SBA. "She has the potential for long-term success."

The 1991 Great Falls High School graduate went on to study interior design at Montana State University, graduating in 1994. She worked at Falls Home Furnishings until 1996. In 1998, she began working for Holland Woodcraft and later managed the store for one year.

Campbell opened Rachel’s Furniture Gallery in July 2000. Suzie David, director of the Great Falls Small Business Development Center, nominated Campbell for the award.

"I am honored — thrilled, actually," Campbell said of the award. The business has shown an increase in sales and net profit each year, something Campbell attributes to the fact that she has found a niche market and developed a loyal clientele.

Other 2003 awards:

Thomas Hoffman, the president of Summit Aeronautics Group in Helena, was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2003 Montana Small Business Person of the Year.

Larry Farrar, president of Montec Research of Butte, was first runner-up Small Business Person of the Year.

Linda Buckingham, president of Showroom Auto Body Inc. in Billings was named the Woman-owned Business of the Year.

Wayne Nelson, president of Stockman Bank in Billings, is the Financial Services Advocate of the Year.

Thomas Yoder, director of the Center for Applied Economic Research at MSU Billings, is the Research Advocate of the Year.

Robyn Hampton, the owner of Biz Savvy Professional Business Coaching & Success Outsourcing in Helena, was named the Home-based Business Advocate of the Year.

Deanna South, business development specialist for the Small Business Development Center in Billings, is the Women in Business Advocate of the Year.

Nancy Warneke-Gaynor, director of the Salish and Kootenai College Tribal Business Information Center at Pablo, is the Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Brian Kahn, host of Home Ground Radio in Helena, is the Small Business Journalist of the Year.

Dexter Wester, business advocate & employment services specialist for the Bozeman Job Service, was named the Veteran Small Business Advocate of the Year.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20030410/localnews/90893.html

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