Jackson Free Press

Dan Blumenthal and Jeff Good Named 2013 Mississippi State Small Business Persons of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently named Jeff Good and Dan Blumenthal the 2013 Mississippi State Small Business Persons of the Year. Good and Blumenthal co-own three Jackson restaurants--BRAVO! Italian Restaurant, Broadstreet Bakery, and Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint--a catering business, Mangia Bene; and a business consulting firm, Dollars & Sense Creative Consulting.

"We are proud that Jeff and Dan are SBA's Small Business Persons of the Year for 2013," Janita R. Stewart, SBA district director in Mississippi, said in a press release. "Nominated to SBA by Trustmark National Bank, their selection as our state winners was based in part on Sal & Mookie's staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and unit volume, current and past financial reports, innovations of product or service, and response to adversity and contributions to aid the community."

Good and Blumenthal will join the other 49 state winners for the National Small Business Week celebration in Washington, D.C., June 21. The Mississippi Chapter of U.S. Small Business Administration will recognize the business partners, along with other winners, at an award ceremony later this summer. "In the meantime, they are also in the running for the National Small Business Person(s) of the Year," Stewart said.

The SBA has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of Small Business Week every year since 1963. National Small Business Week recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal successes and contributions to the nation.

Nonprofits Open 'All Things New' Store

The City of Jackson joined Catholic Charities and the McCoy House for Sober Living for the All Things New Store ribbon cutting ceremony April 10. All Things New sells clothing, books, purses, furniture, house wares and more.

Profits from the store will benefit programs and services offered by Catholic Charities. The store also provides employment for residents of McCoy House. All Things New is located at 4643 McWillie Drive.

Tru Relaxation Massage Service

Tru Relaxation Massage Service, owned by Christopher Jordan, is opening in Jackson May 1. Tru Relaxation will offer relaxation and Swedish massages for $60 and deep-tissue massages for $70, as well as chair massages for $1 per minute and body wraps to aid in weight loss.

Tru Relaxation will be located at 2084 Dunbarton Drive, Suite C. For more information, visit Tru Relaxation's website or contact Christopher Jordan by phone at 601-259-8918 or by email at [email protected]. You can also visit Tru Relaxation's Facebook page.

Nissan to Increase Pay at Tenn. and Miss. Plants

Nissan Motor Co. spokesman Justin Saia announced in a statement that the company will increase wages starting in October at its Mississippi plant in Canton and in its two Tennessee plants located in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn.

Pay will go up by 55 cents an hour for production employees and 65 cents an hour for maintenance technicians, which amounts to about a 2 percent increase over current wages, Saia said. This is the first raise for Nissan's American workers since 2006.

Nissan and its contractors employ 5,200 workers in Canton, more than 6,000 in Smyrna and more than 1,400 in Decherd.