By Jon Johnson
THATCHER — Eastern Arizona College’s Gherald L. Hoopes Activities Center hosted an evening of celebration Thursday night for women who succeeded in pursuing their dreams of business and commerce in Graham and Greenlee counties.
Taylor Banks – owner of Gila Cheer – and Christine Roof – co-owner of Humble Pie in Duncan – were selected as the 2024 Small Businesswoman of the Year for Graham and Greenlee counties, respectively. They were chosen from a final pool of 10 nominees for each county. In addition to a gift basket all nominees received, winners were presented with a trophy and a cash prize of $2,000 each.
“It was an honor to be nominated because those were some amazing finalists to be nominated with,” Banks told the Gila Herald. “And they’re all women I look up to, the women I collaborate with in town. So, I just can’t wait to keep that camaraderie going.”
Roof has run her pizzeria Humble Pie in Duncan for 26 years and has battled cancer. She was magnanimous after being presented with her award and told the Gila Herald even her nomination was a surprise.
“I just never, ever expected this,” Roof said. “I was shocked when I was nominated and I just, I’m just so humbled. I just am.”
According to the most recent profile by the Small Business Administration, more than 99% of Arizonan women-owned businesses are small businesses. Of those, women made up 46% of workers and owned 45% of all businesses in Arizona. And women-owned businesses make up more than 21,000 employers in Arizona.
Between 1994 and 2018, Arizona’s small business employment grew by 44 percent, and small businesses accounted for more than 42,000 jobs added between 2019 and 2020 alone.
The event celebrated the success of local small businesswomen and featured talks by powerful and successful women of business and politics.
Freeport McMoRan Morenci Operations Environmental Services Manager Martha Lujan spoke to the group and encouraged the women to continue their excellence.
“We believe that small businesses – your talent, your creativity, your resilience – is what really fuels the local economy. So small businesses like yours are really the heart of our communities because you are not only contributing your goods and services, your talent, you’re also creating jobs, you are actually promoting and fostering local talent and you are generating economic activity that is going to make our communities strong and vibrant so, like I said your business not only provides goods and services it also provides spaces where people can connect people, can collaborate, and those spaces are really important to our community. By doing that, you are making our community stronger.”
Arizona State Rep. Gail Griffin (R, LD-19) – who began her career in real estate more than 45 years as a successful businesswoman – thanked the spouses for supporting and encouraging their significant others to be in business as that was not the case in her mother’s day or even when she began her career. Griffin also praised the women for their successes and said small businesses are the backbone of the economy.
“You have turned dreams into reality, creating jobs, fostering growth, (and) inspiring future generations,” Griffin said. “Whether you run a farm, a boutique, a cafe, or a startup, your heart, spirit, and vision are shaping the plans of our communities, especially in rural Arizona. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, your creativity, and your leadership; you are trailblazers who proved that your passion can do anything and anything is possible. Your contributions are not only vital to your local economies but also (to) the spirit and fabric of our towns and communities. Let us continue to support and uplift each other, ensuring that our communities thrive for future years to come.”
The event was hosted by Eastern Arizona College’s Small Business Development Center and emceed by SBDC business analyst Tori Cranford. Major sponsors included Freeport McMoran, Eastern Arizona College, and America’s Small Business Development Center Arizona.
Additionally, Graham County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Howard read a proclamation declaring October 2024 as National Women’s Small Business Month.
“We urge all citizens, businesses, and community organizations in Graham County to join this salute to working women and business owners,” Howard said. “We encourage and promote the celebration of achievements of all working women and female business owners as they contribute daily to our economic, civic, and cultural goals and livelihood.”
With their final thoughts, Banks and Roof told the women in the audience how much they appreciate them and their plans and ideals.
“It was such an honor just to be nominated next to you guys,” Banks said. “I really appreciate this, and I really look forward to collaborating just like Martha says, you have to collaborate. Collaboration is at the top, and I look forward to collaborating with all of you in the future.”
“Just the nomination was more than I could ever ask for or hope for,” Roof said. “As far as our community goes, it’s so easy to give back when you love.”
Congratulations to all of the 2024 Small Businesswoman of the Year Nominations
Graham County Nominees
Taylor Banks – Gila Cheer, Deri Dannenbrink – Cottage Bed & Breakfast and Bakery, Kendra Foster – Kendra’s Bridal Boutique, Kym Gifford – Keyhole Properties, Dr. Gail Guerrero Tucker – Gila Valley Clinic, Valerie Hernandez – Essential Patient Care, Malvalena Kitcheyan – Nutrition with a Native Twist, Jodi Layton – The Wear, Kelly Patton – JD3 Fitness, and Brittney Rossow – Bark Avenue Paw Spa.
Greenlee County Nominees
Monica Aguilar, Studio 226, Neva Corbell – Cactus Rose Aesthetics, Karla Ellis – The Ranch House, Carol Germaine – Germaine’s Emporium, Teresa Greenwell – The Headframe Apothecary, Ruby Medina – Dina’s Karinderya, Mary Merino – Con Carino Salon, Samantha Orr – Personal Pet Care & Services, Christine Roof – Humble Pie, and Sylvia Sanchez – Coronado Beauty Shop.
