Jill Sprowell, Chief Member Relations Officer, JAX Chamber
For more than 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of watching Jacksonville’s small business community grow, adapt, and lead. Through our Chamber Councils, Beaches Division, Venture Services, and NextUp JAX, these entrepreneurs are deeply engaged, building companies that shape the character and momentum of our city. From neighborhood boutiques to fast-growing startups and emerging industry leaders, small businesses owners represent the heartbeat of our local economy.
At JAX Chamber, we are proud to celebrate these leaders each year through our Small Business Leader of the Year (SBLY) Award. This honor is more than a title; it’s a tribute to Jacksonville’s entrepreneurs and the vision, courage, and perseverance it takes to build something from the ground up. The SBLY Award recognizes business owners who not only achieve success, but who also reinvest in their communities and help move our region forward.  We are especially grateful to TD Bank for their valued partnership and ongoing support of the SBLY program, helping us elevate and recognize the outstanding leaders who drive our local economy forward.
Programs like SBLY reflect one of the Chamber’s most important commitments: supporting small business owners at every stage of their journey. Whether an entrepreneur is engaging through a Chamber Council, connecting at the Beaches, accessing resources through Venture Services, or growing their network with NextUp JAX, our goal is to provide meaningful opportunities, connections, and support that fuel long-term success.
Working at the Chamber, we see firsthand the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship. We understand that growth rarely follows a straight path. Behind every storefront, office, and startup is a story of resilience, risk-taking, and determination. By elevating those stories and creating spaces for entrepreneurs to connect and learn from one another, we strengthen not only individual businesses, but Jacksonville’s entire business community.
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