The
National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio the state’s leading small business association, named Mary Leavitt, owner of The Flag Lady’s Flag
Store in Columbus, the recipient of the 2016 Small Business Champion award. Leavitt
has been an active member of NFIB for 30 years and is a current member of the
NFIB/Ohio Statewide Leadership Council. Also, Leavitt was a founding member of the
group’s NW Central Ohio Area Action Council during her long tenure.
Leavitt
has served on the NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council since 2002. She has also attended
many of the NFIB/Ohio Small Business Days at the Capitol in Columbus and been
very supportive of the group’s political programs. Mary supports NFIB’s efforts at the federal
level by her participation in national NFIB Summits and Fly-Ins as well.
“Mary
Leavitt is truly deserving of the recognition by NFIB as our Small Business
Champion for Ohio in 2016. She has
demonstrated her dedication to the small business community over her long
tenure of service to the organization. She is
truly supportive of her fellow small-business owners while serving on the
NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council is appreciated by the 25,000 Ohio members
of NFIB. Mary is an excellent example of a small-business owner that continues
to give back. If there is an NFIB event
nearby, you can find her there advocating for Ohio entrepreneurs,” said Vice
President/Executive Director of NFIB/Ohio Roger Geiger.
Each
year, NFIB/Ohio names a Small Business Champion from among its membership of 25,000
Ohio small businesses. This individual not only gives of his/her time and
resources to promote small-business causes through involvement in NFIB
activities, but also he/she must demonstrate a spirit of service toward the
community and a commitment to advancing the concept of free enterprise.
“The patriotism from America that I learned from my father inspired me to own the Flag Lady’s Flag Store. After only five years in business, I found NFIB. It put everything together for me, my passion for my country and business. Hearing from so many other small business owners inspired me to further my involvement with the organization. NFIB has been a true gift to me. I love the NFIB,” said Leavitt.
Mary Leavitt began her life as an entrepreneur selling the US flag from the trunk of her car in 1980 in Libertyville, Illinois. Since 1984 The Flag Lady’s Flag Store in the Clintonville area has sold 100% made in America flags and has grown into a real family business with Mary’s son and daughter active with the enterprise. Growing from a shop that served the local community and Columbus, they now do business with many small businesses, Corporate America, Fortune 500 Companies, military units and families, schools, churches, government entities, and homeowners across the United States.
Leavitt was also a founder of what evolved into the Clintonville Area Chamber of Commerce and she spends her time speaking to groups about her passion, the importance of patriotism. She serves on the executive committee of the Franklin County Republican Party and is a past vice-chair.
