Grand Rapids small business owner honored with SBAM’s 2025 Founders Award
June 18, 2025
LANSING, MI – The Small Business Association of Michigan has recognized small business veteran Cynthia Kay for her dedication to small businesses in Michigan by honoring her with their 2025 Founders Award.
“Cynthia’s dedication to her company and contributions to the small business community in Michigan have been inspirational,” SBAM President and CEO Brian Calley said. “She is a distinguished leader and trailblazer in the small business community, making her the perfect choice for the 2025 Founders Award.”
SBAM honored Kay for founding Cynthia Kay & Company media production over 35 years ago and receiving many accolades, including many Telly Awards and being named the Woman-Owned Small Business Supplier of the Year from Siemens in 2018. She has also been recognized as one of West Michigan’s 50 Most Influential Women five times and has received over 30 broadcast awards from UPI, AP, and other news organizations. She is also the author of several books on small businesses and contributes to many prominent publications. Kay has served as the chair of both the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) and the National Small Business Association (NSBA), and currently serves on the SBAM Foundation Board of Directors and the SBAM PAC Board.
“I am honored to receive SBAM’s 2025 Founders Award,” Kay said. “Owning my company has been one of the greatest joys and challenges of my life, and I hope to be a model for others in their pursuits of starting and growing their small businesses.”
Cynthia Kay & Company is based in Grand Rapids and produces communications for organizations ranging from Fortune Global 100 companies to small businesses. Their services include concept to completion corporate media production, communications consulting and many more resources to assist companies with marketing, branding and training.
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