The\u00a0National Association for the Self-Employed, a leading advocate and resource for the self-employed and micro-business community, has announced that\u00a0a Cape Coral-based small business,\u00a0Stargazer Electric and Lighting,\u00a0has been awarded a $4,000\u00a02025 third-quarter-growth grant\u00a0sponsored by AARP\u00a0to help support small businesses owned and operated by older American entrepreneurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stargazer Electric and Lighting, owned by NASE member Ralph Sepulveda, was awarded a NASE Growth Grant in the third quarter of 2025. Stargazer Electric and Lighting has more than 25 years of experience delivering residential, commercial and modular electrical services. <\/p>\n
Sepulveda said he intends to use the funds for professional development efforts, including marketing and customer acquisition, tools and equipment upgrades, digital tools utilization and insurance and licensing support.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCape Coral\u00a0small business,\u00a0Stargazer Electric and Lighting\u00a0was chosen for this\u00a0Growth Grant\u00a0award because they demonstrated a well-defined plan for growth, ranging from executing new marketing initiatives, purchasing new equipment, and additional creative ways to grow and expand.\u00a0As one of the growing number of older Americans who are small business owners, we\u2019re thrilled to collaborate with AARP to award NASE member\u00a0Ralph Sepulveda of Stargazer Electric and Lighting\u00a0with a $4,000\u00a0Growth Grant\u00a0award,\u201d\u00a0said\u00a0John Hearrell,\u00a0NASE\u2019s vice president of Membership and Affiliate Programs. \u201cAmerica\u2019s small business and self-employed community is the lifeblood of our economy, helping fuel growth along Main Street in small and large communities throughout the country. Over the course of the last four years, the American small business community has experienced a surge of over 20 million new small businesses opening and expanding, representing the true entrepreneurial spirit of America\u2019s resilience and determination. We are thrilled to support\u00a0Stargazer Electric and Lighting\u2019s\u00a0expansion and growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2024 with the support of AARP and\u00a0DELL\u00a0Small Business, NASE awarded $112,000 in total grants to 28 small businesses to support their efforts to improve, grow and expand business operations. This year, NASE will continue to award grants throughout the year hoping to increase them even more.<\/p>\n
For more about NASE, visit nase.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n