The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma recognized 12 small businesses at its annual Chahtapreneur Award Ceremony inside Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant at the end of June.
Each year, Choctaw Nation gives Chahtapreneur Awards to a Choctaw business in each of the reservation’s 12 districts, as well as crowning one business Chahtapreneur of the Year. This year, the highest honor went to Izabella's Learning Center in McAlester.
Izabella’s Learning Center, which is listed as a 5 Star Level Daycare Program by Oklahoma Human Services, is owned and operated by Jamie Ragan, who’s utilized Choctaw Nation Small Business Development’s programs to help her business thrive. Izabella’s Learning Center provides childcare to up to 60 kids from infants to 5-year-olds.
Award nominations are based on business owners’ participation in the Choctaw Nation Small Business Development program, community involvement and community impact.
Below is a complete list of Chahtapreneur Award winners by district:
District 1: Sherman’s Shoes (Idabel)
District 2: Frazier Electric (Broken Bow)
District 3: New Again Consignment (Talihina)
District 4: Pretty Paws Mobile Pet Spa (Spiro)
District 5: Brew & Bliss (Stigler)
District 6: Humma Fichik Designs (Talihina)
District 7: The Ranch Restaurant (Tuskahoma)
District 8: Sweet Meltz (Fort Towson)
District 9: Three Birds Tax Service (Durant)
District 10: The BARbershop Atoka Cuts Served Neat (Atoka)
District 11: Izabella’s Learning Center (McAlester)
District 12: Cobra Electric Service Inc. (Tupelo)
“We work closely with all our small businesses, so we see the hard work and dedication that goes into each new venture,” said Billy Hamilton, director of Choctaw Nation Small Business Development. “Our annual awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those efforts and hopefully encourage more Choctaw small business owners to utilize the resources we offer.”
Choctaw Nation Small Business Development’s focus is delivering technical assistance, training programs and access to capital for entrepreneurs in an effort to build successful, job-creating, Choctaw-owned companies within the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. For more information on Choctaw Nation Small Business Development, click here.
About The Choctaw Nation
The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 230,000 tribal members and 13,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 14,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture,” is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity. For more information about the Choctaw Nation, its culture, heritage and traditions, please go to www.choctawnation.com.
