STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Taveesak Chanthasuthisombut, better known as “Dang,” has been named the Idaho Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Association.
“I was quite surprised,” said Dang, as everyone in the Wood River Valley knows him. “I don’t know much about it. I will be able to tell you more when I return from Washington.”
Dang owns Dang’s Thai Cuisine and Sushi Bar in Hailey. And he recently opened a new restaurant, Mr. Dee, a sushi-seafood-steak and martini bar in the former Zou 75 building in Hailey.
He will be honored on Sunday, April 30, and Monday, May 1, during the National Small Business Week awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will honor one small business person from each state plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
"I am glad that he is getting recognized for his hard work," said Pamela Ridgway, who dined at Mr. Dee over the weekend.
Dang will take his place alongside owners of such businesses as Afro Deli & Grill in St. Paul Minn., The Corral Burger and Lodge in Gardiner, Mont., Innovative Rx in Kearney, Neb., and JOSH Landscape Co. in Honeoye Falls, N.Y.
One of those will be named the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year during the awards ceremony.
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced the 2023 Small Business Persons of the Year.
“Our 2023 State Small Business Persons of the Year have given their all to achieve their American dream — to own and build a strong, resilient business; create jobs; increase competition and innovation and power America’s historic economic recovery,” she said. “These incredible entrepreneurs show the vibrancy and grit of our nation’s small businesses. From Main Street to manufacturing hubs and tech centers, they are powering our economy. We hope their stories inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
National Small Business Week will be held from April 30-May 6. For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.