[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 8, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2862-S2863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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     RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS

 Mr. PAUL. Madam President, the Kentucky Chapter of the 
National Association of Women Business Owners--NAWBO--provides dynamic 
opportunities for women to network with other business owners, mentor 
one another, develop partnerships, and incubate and foster that next 
big idea. It is composed of women of all ages and levels of experience 
from all sectors of the marketplace.
  This year, as NAWBO Kentucky continues to celebrate three decades of 
success stories that are as diverse as our Commonwealth, its members 
have established a series of awards to recognize women business owners 
who have excelled. These include the Woman Business Owner of the Year, 
the Next-Gen Women Business Owner of the Year, the Public Policy 
Catalyst of the Year, NAWBO Corporate Partner of the Year, and the 
NAWBO Member of the Year.
  Christine Smalley, owner of Fort Thomas Coffee, was named the Woman 
Business Owner of the Year. FTC opened in March of 2019 and will expand 
in June of 2022, to include a wine and cocktail bar and a business 
center. Christine's husband Justin and their two children Kaelan and 
Cadence have been embraced by their community as ``The Hot Chocolate 
House,'' by serving hot chocolate instead of candy to their neighbors 
on Halloween. To this day, trick-or-treaters will make plans weeks 
ahead to visit the Smalley household and it delights the family to no 
end.
  Brooke Corder, owner of Squeaky Cleaners, was awarded as the Next-Gen

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Women Business Owner of the Year. Brooke has developed what was once an 
idea into a beautiful dream with her housekeeping, residential, and 
commercial cleaning services business in Louisville that opened in 
February of 2020.
  Adriane Polyniak, owner of the Kentucky Cannabis Company, was awarded 
the Public Policy Catalyst of the Year. Based in Midway, this family-
owned business has been involved in multiple policy changes that have 
been beneficial to women business owners. Some of these policies 
include the legalization of hemp, Shawna's Law, and improved access to 
cannabis research.
  The NAWBO Corporate Partner of the Year was awarded to Wiser 
Strategies, a public relations and communication firm in Lexington, KY. 
President and APR Nancy Wiser has worked with NAWBO on many projects, 
including the NAWBO website and media relations efforts that made the 
EPIC event possible.
  Vanessa Pennoyer, founder and owner of Go2Girl, LLC, was awarded the 
NAWBO Member of the Year. Vanessa helps diverse-owned businesses seek 
and obtain certification by navigating the time-consuming portal 
process. Vanessa has also been involved with NAWBO for years and 
stepped up this year to assist with all marketing efforts, as well as 
assistant duties.
  I am proud to salute the Kentucky Association of Women Business 
Owners on its 30th anniversary and to honor these awardees.

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