Veteran Business Owners and New Entrepreneurs Shine at Pikes Peak Small Business Awards 2023: Celebrating Action and Innovation in the Year of A.I. Samantha Johnson, April 30, 2024 The Small Business Week celebrations kicked off with the Small Business Bash at Boot Barn Hall and the announcement of the winners of the Small Business Week Awards. Von Kessel & Partners of iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Colorado Springs, Behr and Behr of the Platinum Group Realtors, Jackie Lujan of The Lighthouse Early Care and Education, and Zachary Barker of the Startup Support Center were among the winners. Sevan Stryker of Bob Penkhus Motor Co. was named Small Business Person of the Year. Von Kessel & Partners, a veteran small business owner, opened an indoor skydiving venue in Colorado Springs in March 2022. Behr and Behr, a family-owned small business led by Ed Behr, includes brokers Renee, Brandon, Leah, and Erik Behr. Jackie Lujan founded a learning-focused day care called The Lighthouse Early Care and Education to be recognized as Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Zachary Barker is a certified economic developer who founded the Startup Support Center was named as Small Business Champion of the Year. The theme for this year’s Small Business Week is “The Year of A.I (Action & Innovation)”, which will continue throughout with virtual workshops, a marketing panel and other activities. To learn more about these events visit pikespeaksbdc.org Business