MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – The Mobile Chamber revealed the winner of the Small Business of the Year Award as Merrill P. Thomas Co.
Each month, the Chamber recognizes a Small Business of the month and these honorees go on to compete for the prestigious title of Small Business of the Year.
“Surreal…you look at the group of finalists and you look at the growth and respect and success they’ve had and even to consider myself or our company, you know, at the same level of those was a privilege in itself,” said Pratt Thomas.
That was the reaction of real estate broker Pratt Thomas moments after hearing his company received Mobile Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award.
The commercial real estate firm took home a $10,000 prize as well as earning recognition within the community.
“As a leader, as something we do day in and day out, we take for granted. So to come here and be a part of this…it’s pretty cool,” Thomas said.
To qualify for the award, businesses must have fewer than a hundred employees and are chosen by a committee that awards a small business based on criteria such as business operations and community impact.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the chamber, lifeblood of the region,” said Brent Barkin.
Former CEO of Shoe Station Brent Barkin is the donor of the $10,000 prize.
He said this award is more than just a check.
“These people are owners and they work in the businesses,” said Barkin. “You know, they pour their blood, sweat, their tears, their money, their life into their business. And it matters to them for them to get that recognition. It is a big deal.”
The 2025 Chairman of the Mobile Chamber Patrick Murphy said our local economy would not be in the place it is today without its small businesses.
Businesses are the ones that really have the heavy lift in our community and we’re here to celebrate that today with these awards,” he said. “We’ve got so much momentum going on in our community. We don’t want to hesitate and lose any of that right now.”
Barkin said he wants the awards ceremony to continue growing in size each year.
He encourages small businesses to start applying for 2025 awards right now.
You can learn what’s included in the application process here.
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