For Barb Smith, growth has always been a journey. Through Building for Growth, Goldman Sachs’ 10,000 Small Businesses, ICAN, and other ICIC opportunities, she has gained the knowledge, connections, and confidence to continue building Journey Steel. Today, she is paying that support forward by creating career pathways and supporting the next generation of leaders. Read More

At Global Café in Memphis, a large table sits at the center of the dining room where strangers often share a meal. For founder Sabine Langer, it reflects the purpose behind the business: creating belonging for immigrants and refugees while opening doors to opportunity. The restaurant employs immigrant and refugee chefs, honors their food traditions, and supports staff through language classes, housing assistance, and other resources shaped by their needs. The impact has earned recognition through the IC100 Awards’ Dorothy A. Terrell Community Impact Award. With support from ICIC’s ICCC program, Sabine strengthened the business while staying rooted in its mission. Read More

For architect and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum Farooq Ameen, design isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. As founder of City Design Studio, Farooq has spent years shaping spaces that reflect the stories, needs, and identities of the communities they serve. From converting an old factory into a transitional facility for unhoused residents to designing a public plaza in Inglewood, his work is rooted in care, vision, and deep local ties. His creative approach is fueling growth—earning City Design Studio national recognition as a 2024 IC100 Award winner and establishing Farooq as a trusted voice among his peers. At ICIC’s Innovation Summit, he shared forward-thinking insights on how small businesses can embrace AI in ways that strengthen, rather than compromise, their mission. Read More

Nigel Chiddick, President and CEO of Seven Source, Inc., has spent years redefining what it means to build commercial spaces—with durability, community, and equity at the center. Since founding Seven Source in 2018, Nigel has led his team to leverage smarter, sustainable solutions and techniques that don’t just stand the test of time but also create welcoming, meaningful environments for people. From revitalizing Houston’s Lynn Wyatt Square to mentoring underrepresented talent, Seven Source blends expertise with heart. Last year, Nigel and his team earned their first IC100 Award—a recognition that highlights not only business growth but also their lasting contributions to communities and industry. Read More

Christa Cotton, the visionary behind El Guapo, a premium bitters, syrups, and mixers brand, has earned her spot on the prestigious IC100 Awards list. Her ingenuity transformed El Guapo from a flourishing wholesale business to a direct-to-consumer powerhouse during the 2020 pandemic. By pivoting quickly, she tripled the company’s growth in just nine months. Innovation, for Christa, means honoring cocktail culture while pushing boundaries with top-tier ingredients and a strong sustainability commitment. As El Guapo continues to expand, she’s focused on sharing New Orleans flavors globally, tapping into the growing demand for zero-proof beverages, and scaling without sacrificing quality. Christa’s advice to fellow entrepreneurs: stay flexible, know your 'why,' and always prioritize quality. Her journey is a reflection of resilience, creativity, and the power of adaptation. Read More