OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Two Oklahoma companies are among the best small businesses in the nation, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
CO – the U.S. Chamber’s digital platform for small businesses – announced the CO—100, a list of the 100 best and brightest small businesses in the nation. The list showcases a wide array of businesses, spotlighting top talent and innovation across the business community.
“Small businesses embody the resilience and ingenuity that define America’s free enterprise system, yet they often go unrecognized,” said Jeanette Mulvey, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “As the world’s largest business organization and network representing companies of all sizes and industries, we understand what makes a business great. The CO—100 founders, owners, entrepreneurs, and employees have the innovative spirit, relentless perseverance, and exceptional expertise that sets them apart in a global market and drives economic growth.”
The U.S. Chamber received more than 14,000 applications from businesses seeking to be recognized as one of the nation’s 100 best small businesses.
Grow Grit Press LLC, located in Oklahoma City, and Valor Payroll Solutions, located in Tulsa, are the two Oklahoma-based businesses named in the list.
Over half the businesses selected for the list generated $1 million or more in revenue last year, according to U.S. Chamber officials.
Grow Grit Press owner Mary Nhin founded the company in 2019. It specializes in empowering children with life skills through its popular Ninja Life Hacks series. The brand has produced more than 100 books and 99 ninja characters, offering a unique range of tools that help kids navigate challenges, supported by a complete curriculum and products for educational settings.
The Ninja Life Hacks series is a big hit, with more than one million books sold.
“I’m so proud of our team and our community that has helped us to create what our business is today. It means a lot for mental health – it’s finally coming to the forefront. I feel very honored,” Nhin said while speaking with Oklahoma Business Voice.
All of Grow Grits products have an underling theme of mental toughness and grit. The Ninja Life Hacks series helps children navigate behaviors, emotions, and feelings they experience as they grow up.
“It helps children develop their social-emotional skills, and the Ninjas give it a fun aspect,” Nhin said.
Valor Payroll Solutions was launched by Christina Hageny in 2020. The company offers comprehensive payroll services to small businesses with a strong focus on education and compliance. It uses educational content and personalized support to empower its clientelle while also providing a range of ancillary services to meet small business owners’ needs.
The Tulsa-based company had no clients when it started but now has 175 clients across nearly 40 states, according to Hageny, who spoke with Oklahoma Business Voice about CO—100 honoring her company.
“We were floored to be recognized, especially when we found out that there was over 14,000 applicants. I think any small business owner would probably attest to the fact that you put your blood, sweat and tears into building your business. And so to be recognized on such a large scale is a really big deal,” Hageny said.
The honor comes a week after Oklahoma Payroll Org named Valor Payroll Solutions the 2024 Oklahoma Payroll Professional of the Year.
Hageny said her extensive background as a payroll services professional distinguishes her business.
“I think a lot of times payroll companies are started by sales people, and in this case, it was started by a payroll professional and someone who happens to be very passionate about it,” she said.
Hageny said her goal is to educate.
“We do free consultations because we want people to reach out and ask questions. We take those real life experiences and real life questions that we get from clients, and then we turn that into social media content for other small business owners so that even if you’re not one of our clients, you still have the benefit of that [knowledge],” she said.
Each CO—100 honoree will receive a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, access to top experts and thought leaders, national brand exposure and exclusive community building and networking opportunities.
The CO—100 will be celebrated at a premier event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 8. Their VIP experience will provide them access to some of the most influential business names through the CO—100 Small Business Forum.
Ten Top Businesses will be recognized for outstanding achievement across 10 categories of excellence and receive $2,000 each, during an evening awards dinner. One overall CO—100 Top Business will be awarded $25,000.
