Hebron Baker Named Small Business Person of the Year

Michelle Nicholson, the founder and owner of The Flour Girl Bakery in Hebron, has been named Connecticut’s 2025 Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Nicholson first started the bakery in her home in 2020.

She then expanded into a commercial kitchen in a local church before opening her first retail space in 2021.

The Flour Girl Bakery now has 40 employees and has expanded into two additional spaces with another expansion and a new event space underway.

“As an entrepreneur, Michelle’s creativity ignited the American Dream while she perfected the recipe for her breads and brand,” said SBA Connecticut District director Catherine Marx.

Recipe for Success

The SBA noted Nicholson and the Flour Girl Bakery’s support community and charitable initiatives including a dedicated fundraising program.

Nicholson is also involved with the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce and the RHAM High School DECA program.

“We’ve turned challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.”

The Flour Girl Bakery

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our incredible team and the unwavering support of our community,” the bakery posted on its Facebook page. 

“Together, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.”

Award Winners 

Nicholson is among a group of 2025 Connecticut Small Business Week Award 2025 winners, representing different categories and industries.

“This year’s award winners embody the grit and determination it takes to succeed in pursuing the American Dream,” said Marx.

The awardees include:

• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: Gregory Confessore, Cricket Press, Inc. 
• Manufacturer of the Year—Connecticut and New England Region: Rafey Zaheer, Medzah Industries 
• Microenterprise Business of the Year: Matthew Quinn and Steven Potoff, Greenmont Healthcare Products LLC
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Aimee Filippetti, Never Enough Bake Shop
• Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Chris Pacheco, Seacoast Mushrooms
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Elizabeth Calvanese, Goggin Safety Services LLC

The award winners will be honored at the National Small Business Week SBA Awards & Resource Expo May 8 at Woodwinds in Branford.

Honoring Innovators

The event is a collaboration between CBIA and the SBA Connecticut District Office.

“Connecticut is the land of small business, representing more than 99% of all businesses in the state—employing nearly half the state’s workforce,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima. 

“These businesses are the heartbeat of our economy, with contributions to our state and local communities that cannot be understated.”

“These businesses are the heartbeat of our economy.”

CBIA’s Chris DiPentima

As Connecticut’s 2025 Small Business Person of the Year, Nicholson will compete for the National Award.

That will be given out at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on May 5 during National Small Business Week.

“National Small Business Week honors the risk takers, innovators and job creators that are the backbone of the American economy,” said SBA New England Regional Administrator Peter A. Steele.

“I congratulate the winners in Connecticut for this well-deserved recognition and their role in fueling prosperity, spurring growth, and creating job opportunities.”