Meet the 3 Small Businesses Nominated for the 2021 LGBTQ-Owned Business Achievement Award

Kelly Rosenblatt
Former Senior Manager, Small Business Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Published

October 01, 2021

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dream Big Awards, presented by Spectrum Reach, celebrate the achievements of small businesses and honors their contributions to America’s economic growth.

This year, the U.S. Chamber will recognize an LGBTQ-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by LGBTQ-owned businesses in the country.

The winner will be announced at the Dream Big Awards Ceremony, part of The Big Week for Small Business virtual event, on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 5:00 pm ET. Learn more about the other Dream Big Award categories and finalists here.

LGBTQ-Owned Achievement Award Finalists:

Hideaway Café,Winchester, VA

Photo provided by Hideaway Café

Hideaway Café is a safe, mixed-use space where the Winchester community can come together over coffee or a quick bite. Victoria Kidd built the business with her fiancé and daughter in 2015 and it quickly became “the community’s café,” welcoming all patrons regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, disability, etc.

It is important to Kidd that Hideaway Café be a purpose-driven place where guests and employees celebrate each other’s talents and differences.

“It is my greatest joy to be able to provide a space and offer supporting services to those working for the betterment of our neighborhoods.”—Victoria Kidd, Owner and General Manager, Hideaway Café

StevenBe,Minneapolis, MN

Photo provided by StevenBe

After building a career in the fashion industry, Steven Berg wanted to make a change. His passion for fiber arts and knitwear inspired him to open a yarn shop in Minneapolis called StevenBe. StevenBe is a two-story reclaimed firehouse celebrating the beauty of fiber arts. Guests are welcomed like friends and encouraged to embrace their creativity.

Berg and the rest of the team at StevenBe are dedicated to inspiring others to create something new and try something different.

“Steven Berg took a building in need of rehabilitation and saw its potential to the community as assisting those with a need to create, supporting those with a desire to know how to create, celebrating the talents and skillsets of those who have always created, and very importantly offering an artistic landscape to neighbors and visitors.” – StevenBe

Wag Heaven,Georgetown, TX

Photo provided by Wag Heaven

Drawing inspiration from their own rescue dog, Kai, Jeff Manley, and Jusak Yang Bernhard started selling pet food for animals with allergies and sensitivities in 2007. After years of success and opening multiple stores, family brought Jeff and Jusak to Georgetown TX, where they opened Wag Heaven in 2019.

At Wag Heaven, Jeff and Jusak provide pet owners with quality pet food and supplies, as well as self-serve dog washing stations, to keep pets nourished and clean.

“We are so proud that our business is starting to thrive. We are proud of the relationships we have built and the knowledge we have gained through maintaining, employing, and growing two stores.” – Jusak Yang Bernhard, Co-Owner, Wag Heaven

Register for the Dream Big Awards Ceremony on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 5:00pm ET to find out who will win the award for LQBTQ-owned business achievement!