Two African-American local business owners received awards during National Small Business Week, held in St. Louis from May 2 to 7.
“The recognition goes to the small business owner who doesn’t perhaps have the next sexy app, who doesn’t get the fanfare,” said Darcella Craven, chair of the Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri, Inc., which held the awards ceremony on May 5. “Some of these people are doing things in the community that no one knows about just because they love their community.”
Tommy Davis Jr., president of TD4 Electrical, received the Minority Business of the Year award for the Eastern Missouri district. Chris Robinson, founder of R3 Coaching based in Winsfield, received the Home Based Business of the Year award.
The Eastern Missouri district holds the nation’s the largest Small Business Week celebration and for the longest, Craven said. It’s also the nation’s only district to have its own nonprofit – called Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri, Inc. – in place to locally assist the U.S. Small Business Administration with the week’s planning and execution.
Davis founded TD4 Electrical in March 2006, after becoming aware of the challenges impeding the construction industry. He recruited a core team and began building a crew of “exceptional electricians, as well as a skilled management team, that specialized in effective systems and processes and procurement methods,” according to Small Business Week’s statement on Davis.
Currently TD4 Electrical performs as a Tier One provider to St. Louis-area businesses, institutions and industries.
“I have been asked how has TD4 grown not just in size, but also in capacity, in just 10 short years, and my answer was: It is our culture,” he said at the awards ceremony. “We are about helping each other internally, servicing our clients with the same level of service we would expect if we were receiving the services.”
Davis’ mission is to create jobs in the electrical field and to ensure his company is successful. TD4 also gives back to the community they serve, which is one of the reasons the company was recognized.
“Most importantly, TD4 is committed to economic and community development,” Davis said. “It is woven into the very nature of our existence that we must reinvest in ourselves.”
Davis attended Iowa State University, where he studied business management. Within the next few months, TD4 will be positioned to warehouse, supply, manage and install electrical materials and supplies, differentiating them from their competition.
“Davis combines visionary leadership and passion for excellence,” the award selectors stated.
Robinson’s company, R3 Coaching, is dedicated to the development of individuals and businesses.
“Through his speaking and leadership training, as well as one-on-one coaching, Chris has influenced his client’s trajectory towards success,” according to Small Business Week’s statement on Robinson.
As an international speaker and executive coach, he has spoken in front of crowds as large as 4,500, “while working with companies to understand the value of personal growth, sharpen team leadership skills and develop emerging leaders in their respective organizations.”
Robinson said he been on this home-based business track for five years.
“I got started out of a passion to help people grow and develop,” he said. “The primary message I speak on is leadership and personal growth and development. I help leaders develop leaders.”
Robinson honed his leadership skills while working as a sales representative for one of the largest vehicle-services contract providers in the United States. He quickly advanced over four positions to senior sales manager within five years. As he continued to improve his leadership skills, he grew the company from 18 employees to over 700, leading him to expand his sights on starting his own company, leading to R3 Coaching.
The award selectors stated, “Chris’ training will enrich attitudes, rekindle one’s determination for success, and increase self-confidence to reach individual and business goals.”
