LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Sonitrol of Nevada as its 2014 SBA Nevada Small Business Awards’ Minority-Owned Business of the Year.
The U.S. Small Business Administration selected award recipients based on companies’ staying power, growth in the number of employees and increases in sales. An independent panel of business leaders analyzed the companies’ financial reports, responses to obstacles, community-oriented projects and small-business advocacy. The panel also examined nominees’ products and services for innovation.
Joyce Dawson began working as an alarm dispatcher for at Sonitrol in Southern Alameda County, Calif., in 1977. Today, she owns and operates two Sonitrol franchises in Nevada, Las Vegas Business Press reports.
Dawson started her first franchise, Sonitrol of Southern Nevada, in 1992. The electronic security company provides monitoring, security cameras, digital lock systems and fire detection services.
Since its start, Sonitrol of Southern Nevada has grown into one of the most successful franchises of the Sonitrol network. It is currently ranked in the top 10% of Sonitrol dealerships nationally.
The success of the franchise prompted Dawson, the only woman to serve as president for the Sonitrol National Dealers Association (SNDA), to launch Sonitrol of Northern Nevada in 2006.
Dawson’s efforts definitely have not gone unnoticed, as the SNDA has awarded the Nevada franchises with numerous accolades, including Best Image, Best Sales and Outstanding Performance.
The company has been named Minority-Owned Business of the Decade and inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame by other groups in the past.
