SBA Celebrates New York State Small Business Person of the Year, Melissa Baideme, and other Local Honorees for their Success and Impact

Buffalo District Office

Release Date:             March 19, 2025        

SBA Celebrates New York State Small Business Person of the Year and other Local Honorees for their Success and Impact

Awardee in competition for National Small Business Person of the Year to be presented during National Small Business Week in May

March 19, 2025 — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Buffalo District Office is celebrating New York State’s Small Business Person of the Year and 3 additional honorees as it prepares for National Small Business Week, which will take place May 4-10, 2025. Along with awards ceremonies, the week will include a national small business roadshow with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, a two-day virtual summit, community events and educational sessions about manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency, as well as online business resources and renowned speakers. 

“This year’s Buffalo District Awardees exemplify the innovative and industrious character that defines Western New York.   Each have turned opportunity into achievement, and we are excited to recognize their success,” said Victoria Reynolds, Buffalo District Director.  

The SBA is recognizing Melissa Baideme, owner of C.K. Fruit Juice LLC for her impact and economic contributions in New York.  In 2021,  Melissa seized an opportunity to purchase an existing juice concentrate manufacturing business in Chautauqua County and with the help of the Small Business Development Center at JCC,  has grown her business exponentially including revenues, employees and product offerings.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler will acknowledge Baideme, who is in the running for the National Small Business Person of the Year and national runner up, on May 5 at the National Small Business Week kick off and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

During the Month of May,  SBA’s Buffalo District Office will celebrate the state winner and additional local awardees who have empowered entrepreneurial success, created jobs and driven economic growth in the last year, including:

SBA Buffalo District Family Owned Business of the Year

Tapecon Inc.

Steve Davis,  President

Founded in 1919,  Tapecon Inc., through 5 generations of the Davis family,  has evolved into a specialized contract manufacturer of advanced printed and converted products.   With over 80 employees and 90,000 of manufacturing space, Tapecon has demonstrated its ability to adapt and thrive in a changing industrial and economic landscape, while maintaining its roots in Buffalo’s rich manufacturing history.

SBA Buffalo District Women Owned Small Business Person of the Year

Janna Willoughby-Lohr

Papercraft Miracles LLC

Papercraft Miracles LLC is a fusion of art and entrepreneurship specializing in handmade paper products such as stationary, flowers, handbound books, home goods and seed paper.   Founder Janna Willoughby-Lohr, and testimonial “Mompreneur”, started her business in 2013 and has grown the operation from a one - room, part- time endeavor to a thriving business with 3500 sq ft boutique and paper making studio, a full-time staff, and international customers.

SBA Buffalo District Veteran Owned Small Business Person of the Year

Darius  Myles

DMYLES Inc.     

Darius Myles is a US Air Force Veteran and established DMYLES Inc  in 2013.   Based upon the Air Force core values of integrity, service, and excellence,  Myles has positioned his company among the fastest growing general construction firms in Western New York.    DMYLES  is a full-service general contractor that has performed contracts in the public, private and government sectors in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States.  

Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit, registrations and speakers are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.   

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.