Two locals receive statewide recognition for business | News

Glenda Kibart, of Wilburton, and Kirk Ridenhour, of McAlester, recently received recognition among statewide award recipients.

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center at Rose State College in Midwest City recognized advocates for the statewide networks.

Kibart, Owner of Country Spice Girl, who keeps her homemade spices and preservatives in stock at Lady Rustic in McAlester, won the Home-Based Business Excellence Award.

She started her business in March. “Lady Rustic was my very first store,” Kibart said. She said she started out with samples — no labels. When visiting with the store owner, customers were trying to buy her jellies and jams.

Leigh Ann Rubertus, owner of Lady Rustic, guided her from that day.

“She told me, you have to get sales tax, you have to get labels, you have to do this and this and this. And I said, OK,” Kibart said. Within two weeks she was set up.

Her next flavor in the works is “Hickory Smoked Jalapeno Lime Salt.”

Kibart said, “As soon as I make it, it’s gone.” Her salt combinations are her best sellers.

Ridenhour, Vice President / Commercial Loan Officer of BancFirst, won the Lender Advocate Award.

“I’m very honored,” said Ridenhour. He said that OSBDC does a fantastic job in economic development helping small businesses adapt and thrive in our current economy.

His recognition goes along with BancFirst being the largest SBA lender in Oklahoma which is designed for small businesses.

At the SBDC Advocacy Council those honored included:

— Eddy Dempsey, Representative, Oklahoma House of Representatives District 1, Legislative Advocate of the Year Award

— Jeannie Webb, President, Rose State College, Partner Advocate of the Year Award

— Jeremy Spence & Janet Reed, Chamber Manager, Director (respectively), Durant Area Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Advocate Award

— Matthew Stewart, Manager, Southwest Monument Company, Family Enterprise of the Year Award

— AJ Rosenthal, President, General Genomics, Inc., Veteran Business Excellence Award

— MaCrae Putnam, Owner, Make It Sew, Encore Entrepreneur Award

— Megan and Cale Lopp, Owners, Green Couch Design, Business Excellence Award

— Agi Lurtz, President, OMS Technologies, Inc., Client Advocate of the Year Award

— Kayla Palmer, Owner, Palmer Construction & Marine Co., Rising Star Entrepreneur Award

“The Oklahoma SBDC is proud to have advocates that include our clients, partners, legislators, lenders, and community entities,” said State Director Dr. Michele Hockersmith. “We took time this week to honor just a few of those individuals or entities that are working to support small businesses.”

For more information or questions about the SBDC program, contact the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center Network office at 580-745-2877.