Ink Monstr owner Reed Silberman has been named Colorado’s 2016 Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Association (SBA). , previously named “Best Large-Format Shop in Denver” in 2012, 2013, and 2014, aims to be what Silberman calls “a well-rounded company.”
“I believe the reason why we were nominated is because we were a company that’s not considering the bottom line only,” says Silberman. “You have to be growing financially and creating jobs and stimulating the economy, but it’s also about community service and doing charity work.”
On top of a host of nationwide clients, the shop works with a number of , government agencies, and schools; hosts charity events and donates hundreds of bicycles and backpacks to children in the community each year; works to be by donating or reusing materials; and gives tours of the shop and leads talks on the importance of following dreams and passions. And the Denver community has taken notice; Silberman was nominated for the SBA award by a member of the Denver Office of Economic Development.
Silberman, along with winners from each state, traveled to Washington, D.C. for the national award ceremony. There, Dallas Mavericks owner and SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet presented the state awards and announced the national winner.
Silberman says the award has brought more awareness to Ink Monstr’s brand and work on both the national and local levels. “It feels really good,” he adds. “I don’t see it as a small business person of the year award; I see it more as a small business award because without the talent, dedication, hard work, commitment, and lots of sacrifice from my team, we wouldn’t be in this position – I wouldn’t be in this position.”