In the small business world, recognition tends to follow resilience. Long before awards are handed out, success is shaped by the day-to-day decisions—managing risk, building teams, solving problems and staying focused on growth.
That journey is familiar to many members of the Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) (liba.org), where entrepreneurship is defined not just by starting a business, but by sustaining and scaling it. This year, two LIBA members exemplified that path in a way that earned both regional and national recognition.
2026 SBA Small Business Persons of the Year
Last month, LIBA Board Member Cameron Hall and his wife Sydney—co owners of Doors Plus, LLC—were recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the 2026 Nebraska Small Business Persons of the Year.
Each year, the SBA celebrates National Small Business Week by recognizing the achievements of outstanding small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. Cameron, who serves as President and CEO, and Sydney, who operates as COO, were honored for their leadership in building Doors Plus, LLC, which they founded in 2022.
The company provides installation and repair of overhead doors and access systems for both residential and commercial clients across southeast Nebraska. In just a few short years, the Halls have grown the business into a trusted regional provider.
Like many early-stage companies, Doors Plus faced its share of operational and growth challenges. By maintaining a disciplined focus on financial management, thoughtful business planning, and scalable operations, the Halls successfully navigated those hurdles—doubling revenue from 2022 to 2024.
They were honored alongside other state winners at ceremonies held in Washington, D.C., May 3–4.
2026 BBB Spark Award
More recently, LIBA Board Member Daine Patton—founder and owner of Bats to Rats Wildlife Prevention & Control—was recognized as the recipient of the 2026 BBB Spark Award for the Midwest Plains Region.
This prestigious entrepreneurship award recognizes emerging startup leaders and business owners under the age of 45 (or those operating for less than three years) who demonstrate character, honest marketing, strong workplace culture, and a commitment to their community.
Patton’s entrepreneurial journey has been widely shared throughout the business community and continues to resonate as an example of perseverance, grit, and purpose-driven growth.
While these recognitions highlight individual achievement, they also reflect something larger—the strength of Lincoln’s small business community and the role it plays in driving economic momentum throughout the region.
For LIBA, celebrating members like Cameron and Sydney Hall and Daine Patton is about more than awards. It’s about recognizing the kind of leadership, risk-taking, and long-term thinking that keeps the local business environment strong.
As more entrepreneurs follow similar paths, these milestones serve as both validation—and inspiration—for what’s possible.