The U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday named Brooke McDonnell and Helen Russell from San Rafael-based Equator Coffees & Teas the 2016 Small Business Persons of the Year. The occasion additionally marked the first time that an LGBT business has been named the National Small Business of the Year. The lesbian-owned beverage business, which started with a coffee roaster in McDonnell’s garage, is a member of the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA), which is the nation’s first LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, said, “Helen and Brooke purchased their own roasting plant using an SBA 504 loan. They have worked diligently with their farmers for 17 years and were one of the first roasters to support the Fair Trade movement to gain better wages for growers.” sba.gov
