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Raphael Mungai Bibiu and Michael Chege
Worcester-based Ace Medical Services, Inc. Wins
SBA Massachusetts Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
BOSTON – Ace Medical Services, Inc. has been named the winner of the 2015 Massachusetts Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award according to an announcement by Robert Nelson, Massachusetts SBA District Director.
“I am very honored that the SBA will recognize Michael and Raphael with this significant award” said Robert Nelson. “Their hard work and dedication truly is exemplary and all of us at the SBA applaud the Ace Medical team and leadership for never giving up and for the impacts they have made in the community they serve. The accomplishments are outstanding!”
Michael Chege and Raphael Bibiu are perfect examples of the American Dream. Both immigrated to the United States from Kenya with all their belongings in one suitcase. They worked as CNAs (certified nursing assistant) in the health care industry while going back to college to improve themselves and gain experience. In 2007, they decided to start their own Home Health Care Company to do God’s work – providing medical and home services to the elderly, sick and underserved minority groups.
Starting out in a small one room office at the Martin Luther King Empowerment Center in Worcester, they developed their vision and mission for the company – often wrestling with doubt, thinking about giving up and declaring bankruptcy. In July of 2009, the team started utilizing free counseling services from Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) at Clark University, who assisted them in putting together and implementing a sound business plan to generate growth. Later that year after repeatedly being turned down by multiple banks, help in the form of a $150,000 SBA 7A loan was approved by Commerce Bank. This infusion of capital helped the young startup company persevere through a phase when total revenue was approximately $500,000 with a net income of $53,000. Today, Ace Medical Services is a $3.6 million company that employs 120 people in the area.
The Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award is presented annually to a growing business, with three years of success in sales and profits, increased jobs, an innovative product, and demonstrated potential.
The company was nominated for this award by John Rainey, Regional Director with Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Central Regional Office.
Michael Chege and Raphael Bibiu will be honored at an SBA awards lunch along with the other 2015 Massachusetts Small Business Week winners at the Sheraton Framingham on May 4, 2015.
About SBA National Small Business Week:
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small business, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About Ace Medical Services:
Ace Medical Services, Inc. was established in December of 2006 as a staffing agency, and converted to a home health care agency in 2007. Our major client categories includes: elderly, post-acute patients, and long term chronically ill patients. Our services include skilled nursing, therapy, home health aide care, PCA, medical social worker and homemaking. Ace Medical Services is Medicare/Medicaid certified and accredited through CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program). For more information on Ace Medical Services, please visit: www.acemedservices.com
SOURCE: http://www.sba.gov/news
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