PEORIA MAGAZINE September 2023

COVER STORIES 26 Turner: Women in Business Leadership Award —

SPOTLIGHT 18 Incubating Baby Businesses By Denise Jackson 22 Choose Greater Peoria By Linda Smith Brown 28 Turner: Small Business of the Year — Facet Technologies, Inc. By Linda Smith Brown 32 Turner: Rural Business of the Year — Evergreen Farm By Nick Vlahos 34 Turner: New Exporter of the Year — Natural Fiber Welding By Phil Luciano 38 Turner: Innovation of the Year — iActive By Lisa Coon

40 Turner: Exporter of the Year — Micro Products Company By Steve Tarter 44 Turner: Small Business Advocate of the Year — Lifting Up, LLC By Laurie Pillman 46 Turner: Community Partner of the Year — Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce By Steve Stein 50 Turner: Startup of the Year — GoodJava Inc. By Steve Stein 53 Turner: Government Contractor of the Year — Davis & Davis General Contractors By Steve Tarter

Christell Frausto By Kirk Wessler

COVER PHOTO : Christell Frausto, recipient of the Women in Business Leadership Award from

Bradley University's Turner Center for Entrepreneurship

ABOVE PHOTO : Natural Fiber Welding is ramping up its production and racking up its product as it remains true to its "plants, not plastic" business model and mission Photo by Ron Johnson

2 SEPTEMBER 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE