Mobile, Ala. (Walla) – The Mobile Chamber has announced Merrill P. Thomas Co. as the winner of the Small Business of the Year award.
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 their growth and respect and success and to even consider ourselves or our company, you know, on the same level was a privilege in itself,” said Pratt Thomas.
That was real estate broker Pratt Thomas’ reaction after his company received the Mobile Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award.
The commercial real estate firm won a $10,000 prize as well as recognition in the community.
“As a leader, something we do day in and day out, we take for granted. So to come here and be a part of it…it’s pretty cool,” Thomas said.
To qualify for the award, businesses must have fewer than one hundred employees and be selected 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, the lifeblood of the region,” said Brent Barkin.
Former Shoe Station CEO Brent Barkin is the donor of the $10,000 prize.
He said, this award is more than just a check.
“These people are the owners and they work in the business,” Barkin said. “You know, they pour their blood, their sweat, their tears, their money, their life into their business. And getting that recognition is important to them. It’s a big deal.”
Mobile Chamber 2025 Chairman Patrick Murphy said our local economy would not be where it is today without small businesses.
Businesses are the ones that really do the heavy lifting in our community and we’re here to celebrate today with these awards,” he said. “We’ve got so much dynamism in our community. We don’t want to hesitate and lose now.”
Barkin said he wants the awards ceremony to grow in size each year.
He encourages small businesses to start applying for the 2025 awards now.
You can learn what the application process entails here here.
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