In 1997, the Fort Worth Chamber introduced its Small Business of the Year Awards program. The first awards were presented in 1998 to SoHoPros (1 to 10 employees), Stuart Bacon (11 to 50 employees), and Sedalco (51 to 100 employees).  

When the Chamber’s Small Business Committee members learned that half of all small businesses started at home, the Chamber added its first-ever Home-based Business Award in the year 2000. The first business to receive the award was Project Partners, a full-service consultancy for nonprofits and community leaders, founded in 1995 by company President Lerii F. Smith, CFRE. The firm joined the Chamber that same year. Establishing a virtual business model at the time, long before today’s technologies existed, was very innovative and not without challenges. "I remember meeting our administrative assistant in the parking lot of a Home Depot on I-35 to exchange documents we needed for meetings," recalls (or laughs) Lerii. "Receiving that Small Business of the Year award, five years into our entrepreneurial journey, really helped us feel like we were on the right track."  

Twenty-three years later, and with Project Partners’ 30th anniversary looming in 2024, Lerii says that it was a real honor to help judge the 2023 applications. "I can truly appreciate each and every company leader’s time and effort to complete the application, and I can relate to everyone’s challenges. Alongside that, I am also inspired by the innovative ways that they attract and retain their teams, overcome challenges to continue thriving, and give back to our community. I know firsthand that it is not easy, yet there are so many of us entrepreneurs who simply wouldn't choose a different path. Thank you, Fort Worth Chamber, for continuing to provide opportunities for all of us!"