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Woodbine's Abe Sandquist Recognized as 2025 Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year for Sustainable Innovation in Agricultural Waste
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AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2025 special entrepreneur awards.
Sierra Elbert, President, Groom Curriculum, is the 2025 Deb Dalziel Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner. Abe Sandquist, Owner, Natural Fertilizer Services, is the 2025 Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner.
The Deb Dalziel Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors an Iowa entrepreneur who has significantly changed or improved their life and the lives of others. The award is presented in memory of Deb Dalziel, a devoted small business advocate who was director of the Small Business Development Center at Southeastern Community College, Burlington, from 1987 until her death from cancer in 1999, at the age of 44.
Larry Wajda, Regional Director of the Northwest Iowa SBDC, Spencer, nominated Elbert for the Deb Dalziel Award, stating, "Sierra and her team have set the standard for dog grooming in the United States, making Groom Curriculum the country's top dog grooming education program. Sierra exemplifies pursuing what you love so it never feels like work. In addition, she is empowering entrepreneurs throughout America with the skills necessary for self-employment and future success! With a focus on community colleges, Groom Curriculum represents the true connectivity of the SBDC and its community college partners."
The Neal Smith Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors an Iowa entrepreneur who has been in business for a minimum of three years and has been significantly assisted by an Iowa Small Business Development Center. The award was established with a dual purpose—to honor long-time Iowa Congressman Neal Smith for his years of service to Iowa’s small businesses and to recognize Iowa’s entrepreneurs, who are the driving force behind Iowa’s economic growth.
Elizabeth Christensen, Regional Director of the Iowa Western SBDC, Council Bluffs, nominated Sandquist for the Neal Smith Award, stating, "We are privileged to have leaders like Abe - a true pioneer in the agricultural waste industry with over 20 years of experience. His dedication to advancing sustainable solutions while making a positive impact on communities and the environment is truly inspiring. We are honored to recognize his hard work and success with these awards."
Alicia Smith, Interim State Director of America’s SBDC Iowa, agrees that Sierra Elbert and Abe Sandquist are very deserving of these awards saying, “We are privileged to have clients who have worked tirelessly to move their businesses forward while showing a strong commitment to their communities and customers. We are honored to be able to recognize their hard work and success with these awards.”
The two SBDC special entrepreneur awards will be presented at a ceremony onMarch 18, 2025, at 7:30am in the Legislative Dining Room of the Iowa State Capitol.
For additional information about the award winners:
Sierra Elbert, Groom Curriculum: https://groomcurriculum.com/
Abe Sandquist, Natural Fertilizer Services: https://nfsvc.com/
America’s SBDC Iowa is an outreach program of Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding
non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity,
3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612,
Hotline 515-294-1222, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, America’s SBDC Iowa has 15 regional assistance centers located strategically across the state. Since program inception in 1981, the SBDC has helped Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs through no fee, confidential, customized, professional business counseling, and practical, affordable training workshops.
