(Rochester Hills, Mich. – Nov. 13, 2020) – Felicia G. Harris, founder, and CEO of EverythingHR, and EverythingHR Financial Services, was honored as Business Woman of the Year at the annual Sunrise Pinnacle Awards Ceremony by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The award is presented to an individual who supports women empowerment and has achieved professional recognition through contributions in her industry.
It was Harris’ dedication to helping small business owners survive the COVID-19 crisis that earned her the appreciation of her peers in the business community. Throughout the pandemic and shutdown, Harris relied on her 30-plus years as a certified HR, Training, and Financial expert to assist hundreds of small business owners throughout Southeast Michigan. She helped them establish proper communication channels with employees, helped them compile essential data, and apply for SBA loans, grants, and other assistance. She also assisted them with unemployment and workshare concerns.
In addition to her direct work with businesses during the height of the pandemic, Harris created free online resources including podcasts, website articles, social media posts to provide reliable, factual information to small business owners.
“When the Coronavirus Pandemic began sweeping the nation in early March, it wreaked physical, economic, and emotional havoc on individuals and businesses,” Harris said. “Many small businesses had little or no financial cushion and most had no dedicated HR or Finance Departments. Almost immediately, the pandemic exposed one of the greatest vulnerabilities of small, independent businesses – a lack of critical knowledge about HR and Finance. I knew that my expertise was exactly what many small business owners were missing. I had to help.” Harris and her team not only worked with their regular clients but also were enlisted by the City of Detroit and the Ferndale DDA to help hundreds of other small business owners navigate the crisis.
“I am grateful for the recognition from the Rochester Regional Chamber,” Harris said. “Receiving the Sunrise Pinnacle Award is truly a bright spot in this very difficult year.”
