SBA success stories are truly inspiring

Darryl Stovall spent many years working as a licensed electrician, but he always had aspirations of owning his own business. He always knew he had the electrical knowledge and expertise to succeed, but he needed some guidance and help in the process and tasks involved with starting his own business.
Now, thanks to the help of the Small Business Association (SBA) and York College Small Business Development Center, Stovall is the owner of D&S Electrical Corp., in Far Rockaway.
&#8220If and when you need help, reach out to the SBA, and they will reach back,” Stovall told hundreds of those who attended the SBA's Success Story Luncheon on Thursday, November 9.
The luncheon, which Citibank sponsored, honored four Queens business success stories including Stovall, and gave the four honorees the opportunities to share their experiences with those in attendance.
In addition to the four Queens businesses, representatives from the SBA including William Manger Jr., Region 2 Administrator for the U.S. SBA and Steven Preston, U.S. Administrator for the SBA spoke about the importance of small businesses throughout the country and the organization's desire to help individuals with dreams about owning their own business succeed.
&#8220Small business creation and growth may be the best and most stable vehicle we have for rejuvenating underserved communities of our country,” Preston said.
During the luncheon, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall delivered the keynote address and spoke about the vitality of the small business community in Queens. She said currently there are 50,000 businesses in the borough and 90 percent have less than 10 employees.
&#8220We are fortunate to have an outstanding network,” Marshall said.
In addition, she spoke about how Queens is going against the trend and continuing to develop throughout the borough and praised the SBA for it role in helping Queens businesses.
&#8220We are gratified that the SBA has made a commitment to Queens,” she said.
In addition to Stovall, the SBA honored Ladisla Perez, owner of Cake Mio Bakery in Corona, who praised the Queens Economic Development Center and its President Spencer Ferdinand as well the Women's Business Center in Queens.
Elaine Ward, owner of Iris Plumbing, Inc., in Long Island City and the three partners of law firm Kazmierczuk and McGrath (Katherine and John McGrath and Joseph Kazmierczuk), which is planning a major expansion into a new office in Forest Hills, also received awards from the SBA at the luncheon.