ALBANY — The U.S. Small Business Administration kicked off National Small Business Week with an event in Albany Tuesday afternoon that recognized the successful leadership and community service of two Capital Region small business owners.
The organization recognized the Upstate New York Small Business Person of the Year and Women in Business Champion at the event, which included remarks from SBA Upstate New York District Director Bernard Paprocki, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko and Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.
“Our two winners today exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit we need for our region’s economic growth and resilience,” Paprocki said. “Their commitments to running businesses rooted in their personal values has fostered success and growth of their own businesses and made an impact throughout this ecosystem and beyond.”
Small Business Person of the Year
Trent Griffin-Braaf traces his business ventures back to elementary school where he could often be found selling lollipops to classmates. But his professional trajectory was interrupted at the age of 19 when he was incarcerated on a drug-related conviction.
More than a decade later, Griffin-Braaf is now known in the community as the founder and president of Tech Valley Hospital Shuttle, providing residents and visitors of the greater Capital Region with a portfolio of transportation services.
On Tuesday, the Schenectady High School alum stood in front of a crowded room of business leaders and local officials to accept the honor of Small Business Person of the Year.
“As a minority-owned business, especially one led by someone previously incarcerated, we are bringing diversity and innovation to the table. We’re breaking down barriers and showing that success is possible,” he said.
Griffin-Braaf launched the business in 2016 after being released from prison and deciding to change his life for the better. But he continues to leverage his past experiences to make a difference in the community, making a point to hire people who’ve been incarcerated to help them find steady employment opportunities.
He was nominated for the award by Pursuit, an SBA lending partner that awarded Tech Valley Hospital Shuttle with a loan in 2020 to refinance debt and fund working capital, helping the business retain its employees. After originally winning the Minority Small Business Person of the Year award, he was upgraded due to his ability to pivot during the pandemic and, in 2022, increase revenue by 100 percent, adding seven employees to his operation.
With a mission of doing good in the community, Griffin-Braaf provides mentorship to other minority entrepreneurs and free rides for people who are unhoused, veterans and going to and from rehab and correctional facilities. He also works with a local youth detention center and serves on committees for an ex-offender job fair in the Capital Region and the Albany district attorney that looks at cases and provides alternatives for jail or prison.
In accepting the award, he delivered an emotional speech recognizing the support of his family members throughout his hardships and highlighting the commitment of his employees.
“This award means the world to me. It’s recognition for the hard work, the dedication not just myself but my team has put into this,” Griffin-Braaf said. “Everyone on the team shows up every day inspired. We’re building something special together. We’re creating jobs. We’re providing valuable, impactful services to our community and to the region.”
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