Angelene Ripley Wright Named 2024 Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year
Six Oklahomans Recognized
Angelene Ripley Wright, owner of the Ida Red stores in Tulsa, has been named Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year. Ida Red General Store is a retail shop offering unique gifts, nostalgic treats, and Oklahoma goods.
“Angelene Ripley Wright exemplifies the grit demonstrated by retail stores in Oklahoma who persevered through the pandemic and have emerged triumphantly,” Fernanda Pedraza-Schmitt, Oklahoma District Director, said. “SBA is proud to have played a small role in this success through our COVID-19 programs.”
“Each year, National Small Business Week provides an opportunity to highlight the dedication and creativity of small business owners and entrepreneurs, said Regional Administrator Mindy Brissey. “Small businesses play a vital role in creating thriving communities and boosting economic growth, and I am honored to recognize their entrepreneurial success.”
Angelene Ripley Wright helped create the concept for Ida Red’s first store in 2008 before buying the business in 2016. Ida Red’s now has three locations and 16 employees in the Tulsa area.
Wright purchased the business with an SBA loan and was helped through the COVID-19 pandemic with two PPP loans and a COVID-19 EIDL loan. She has doubled the employee count since buying the business.
Ida Red supports numerous local charities including 100 percent of proceeds on special merchandise for the Tulsa Area COVID-19 Response Fund and the Red Dirt Relief fund. The store donated a portion of their store sales during the Juneteenth weekend to the Tulsa Race Massacre Foundation and the Juneteenth Foundation.
To register for National Small Business Week and for other event information, visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.
Oklahoma Small Business Person of the Year
Angelene Ripley Wright, Owner
Ida Red
Tulsa, OK
Veteran Small Business of the Year
Federick and Heather Alcazar
CZAR Athletics
Piedmont, OK
SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Ray’Chel Angel Wilson
Raise the Bar Investments
Tulsa, OK
Family-Owned Business of the Year
Sam Littlefield
Littlefield Agency
Tulsa, OK
Entrepreneurial Success Award
Aaron Bean
Asemio
Tulsa, OK
Manufacturer of the Year
Matt Gipson
Extract Companies
Tulsa, OK
About National Small Business Week
For more than 60 years, 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 businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.