Juliana Bolivar – 40 Under 40 Award
Juliana Bolivar, Center Director at the Alabama SBDC at Troy University, has been selected as a recipient of the America’s SBDC 40 Under 40 award, which spotlight the extraordinary contributions of individuals under 40 in the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network who have significantly impacted their local networks and the broader business landscape.
Bolivar was one of two Alabama SBDC Network staffers to be named to the list. The Alabama SBDC at Troy University is an outreach of the Sorrell College of Business and primarily serves a 10-county region in Wiregrass. In addition, Alabama SBDC at Troy University provides statewide support to Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and small business owners.
“Juliana Bolivar’s leadership in charting a new course for small business support in our region is a direct reflection of her personal desire and dedication to making a positive impact throughout the Wiregrass and beyond,” said Sorrell Dean Dr. Judson Edwards.
“She is well-deserving of national recognition for her work with entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in Alabama,” he said. “Her efforts are not only helping to grow our local economies but also changing the lives of these small business owners for the better.”
Among a pool of accomplished young entrepreneurs, the distinguished panel of judges in America’s SBDC Millennial Interest Group selected 40 remarkable winners who stood out for their exceptional business acumen, innovative thinking, and commitment to driving growth and success. The winners were celebrated at a reception during the 44th Annual America’s SBDC Conference in September 2023 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I’m deeply honored to be recognized among America’s SBDC 40 Under 40. This recognition is not just about me; it’s a testament to our collective commitment to create opportunities for rural businesses, women, veterans, Hispanic entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, and every brave individual driven to turn their dreams into their livelihood,” Bolivar said.
Inspired by her own family’s entrepreneurial journey, Bolivar said she was passionate about fostering growth and innovation across diverse sectors of the community.
“Together with the Alabama SBDC team, we will continue to shine a light on the path of entrepreneurship and contribute to the flourishing economic landscape of Wiregrass,” she said.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners can connect with Bolivar and with a statewide team of small business advisors at ASBDC.org.
About the Alabama SBDC
The Alabama SBDC offers no-cost, confidential consulting and business education to new and existing businesses through 10 centers across the state. In 2022, the SBDC served 3,859 clients and trained over 5,800 individuals, resulting in $101.3 million in capital investment, 348 new business starts and 1,278 new jobs.
The Alabama SBDC Network is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is hosted by UA’s Office for Research and Economic Development. The Alabama SBDC is nationally accredited by the America’s SBDC national association, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States. Learn more at https://americassbdc.org/.