Small business awards highlight Lansing area talent

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Several Mid-Michigan businesses were called up to center stage to be recognized for showcasing economic growth in the state Tuesday night. The 20th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards gala brought together fun and advocacy to the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.

Organizers with MCSB said that behind the glamour, the event focuses on honoring the resilience and innovation that entrepreneurs bring to Michigan. Among the awards, companies were honored for community contribution, workplace culture and maintaining a pattern of growth and expansion.

Jennifer Deamud, chair of MSCB said the moment of recognition is vital in supporting a growing community.

“Michigan is such an entrepreneurial state and our loves small businesses and loves entrepreneurs. And this evening is one way to give back and have them be part of something so significant for the state,” she said.

Blue Owl Coffee of Lansing was awarded as one of the Michigan SBDC Best Small Businesses.

Iaso Therapeutics, Inc. of East Lansing was awarded the SmartZone Best Small Businesses.

The highlight of the night was the 2024 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. Organizers said the award winners brought in a total of more than $414 million dollars of annual revenue last year and are expected to grow this year.

• Custom Built Design and Remodeling of Okemos
• Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhods PLC of Okemos
• LorAnn Oils Inc. of Lansing
• Michigan Creative of Lansing
• Elderly Instruments of Lansing

“It feels really good to be up here with amazing businesses who care about their company and the people that they work with and I am glad to be up here with them,” said Lillian Werbin, CEO of Elderly Instruments, a musical instruments repair shop and dealer in Lansing’s old town district.

“I started part-time in the warehouse and to be able to work myself up and gain the trust of my staff means a lot to me,” said Werbin.

The MCSB also unveiled a new award category this year for a women-owned small business of the year award– that went to Stacy Paul of Grand Rapids-based Array of Engineers.

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