The Tulsa Regional Chamber recognized seven local organizations at the Tulsa Small Business Summit & Awards today. The annual event is hosted by the Tulsa Small Business Connection, a program of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

As the Chamber’s signature small business event, the summit convenes area businesses to build connections, learn key takeaways to grow their business and celebrate the local impact of small business. 

“The Tulsa Small Business Connection works to elevate the voice of small business in northeast Oklahoma,” says Frauke Petersen, CEO of LUXA Enterprises and chair of the Tulsa Small Business Connection. “It's an honor to bring together organizations large and small to spotlight the remarkable contributions of northeast Oklahoma's small businesses.”

The Chamber’s Small Business Awards recognize Tulsa-area companies for their resilience, innovation and dedication to the local community. Nominees went through an application process judged by chamber of commerce professionals from outside the region.

The 2022 Small Business Award winners are:

• Small Business Person of the Year: Mike Bausch, Andolini’s Worldwide
• Rising Star Award: Rose Tax Solutions
• Entrepreneurial Success Award: Arrowhead Consulting
• Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Tedford Insurance
• Manufacturer of the Year: OGI Process Equipment
• Diverse Small Business Champion: NextGen Tax Services
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Steve Turnbo, Schnake Turnbo Frank

Mike Bausch, owner of Andolini’s Worldwide, has grown the business to encompass eight brands across 13 locations in the Tulsa region.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be this year‘s Small Business Person of the Year,” says Bausch. “The greater Tulsa metro region has an incredible small business community. Tulsa is extremely supportive of entrepreneurs and the support that Andolini's has received has given us the opportunity to grow and create hundreds of jobs, donate thousands of pizzas and deliver our passion, great pizza, in a comfortable environment. Thank you to the Tulsa Regional Chamber for this recognition.”

In addition to the Small Business Awards presentation, the event included professional development and educational opportunities focused on the theme of leadership. Jeff Wilkie, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, principal at HoganTaylor, led a leadership development and relationship building session, and Jenn Donahue, Ph.D., owner of JL Donahue Engineering and retired U.S. Navy captain, delivered a keynote on being the leader employees need in today’s market. 

“Small businesses account for the majority of jobs in our region, so supporting them is critical to our long-term success,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “From Black Wall Street to Route 66, small businesses are integral to northeast Oklahoma’s economy, and we are proud to recognize the local businesses that are driving new ideas, job growth and regional prosperity.”

Watch a recording of the keynote and awards presentation here. Learn more about this year's award winners here.