Several Local Businesses Named the 2026 Crowns of Enterprise Winners
Published on May 11, 2026
Winners of the 2026 Crowns of Enterprise Awards.
The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County named seven local businesses as winners of the 2026 Crowns of Enterprise Awards at a ceremony on Thursday.
The Crowns of Enterprise Awards honor the hard work of small businesses and their economic impact for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The seven winners were selected by a judging panel from among of more than 100 nominees. As well as being recognized for their work, winners and nominees also benefit from networking and relationship-building opportunities among fellow entrepreneurs, business leaders, officials and government agencies.
Here is the list of the 2026 winners:
Rising Star Award Winner: Apex Transit
This award is presented to a business that has set itself apart through its diversity initiatives, exceptional business practices and signs of promising growth. Most importantly, the Rising Star’s positive reputation and popularity is due to putting their customers first while providing exceptional products or services.
Apex Transit, is a transportation and logistics enterprise. In the past year, the firm employed more than 100 people across North Carolina providing stable, well-paying jobs that support families and fuel local economic activity.
The firm’s innovative, people-centered practices strengthen infrastructure and opportunity across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. By modernizing logistics operations and aligning workforce development with regional needs, Apex Transit improves supply chain efficiency while creating stable career pathways for local talent.
Apex Transit founder Marina Ivanov also works to address policy and infrastructure gaps that affect workforce safety, access, and retention within the transportation industry. Her efforts focus on removing systemic barriers and strengthening industry standards so that more individuals can participate fully and safely in the workforce.
Innovation Catalyst Award Winner: Tommy Nichols of Power Up USA
This award is presented to an individual whose vision, innovation and leadership has served as a force for positive change in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The honoree is someone who goes above and beyond their standard responsibilities to spark significant initiatives, challenge conventional thinking and implement solutions that drive growth, enhance efficiency and expand opportunities, ultimately strengthening the local business ecosystem.
Tommy Nichols is a Charlotte-based entrepreneur, community technology leader and founder/executive director of Power Up USA. Power Up USA is a nonprofit that works to close the digital divide. Its mission is rooted in empowerment, meeting people where they are with practical digital skills, device access and support that increases confidence, employability and long-term stability.
As Power Up USA’s leader, Nichols leads a “learn, create, and earn” model that intentionally prioritizes underserved communities, particularly Black and Brown youth, families, seniors and neighborhood partners that historically have lacked access to devices, training and career pathways. Through hands-on digital literacy, workforce readiness and creative technology education, Power Up USA has provided technology and digital media training to more than 2,200 youth, adults and seniors, which created welcoming learning environments where participants feel supported, seen and capable of succeeding in today’s digital economy.
Enterprise Trailblazer Award Winner: Studio Glamour Hair Salon & Restoration Center
This award is presented to a business that exemplifies exceptional leadership, organizational excellence and a forward-thinking approach to enterprise development in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The award honors a firm that sets the standard for strategic execution, community engagement and long-term business success.
Studio Glamour Hair Salon & Restoration Center’s provides personalized, holistic solutions for women dealing with hair loss, scalp disorders and hair damage, helping them restore not only their hair but also their confidence and sense of self. Master hair care specialist, certified trichologist and naturopathic wellness practitioner Kari Evans founded the salon and clinic.
The salon’s team includes licensed stylists, trichology specialists, wellness practitioners and administrative professionals. Investments in staff development ensure the team stays at the forefront of holistic hair loss care and scalp health solutions. This commitment to excellence enhances the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region’s reputation as a center for advanced beauty, health and wellness services, attracting clients from within and beyond the local area. Additionally, the salon and clinic hosts trichology and holistic hair care specialization trainings, including the Let’s Talk Hair Academy for beauty professionals, encouraging local salons and wellness providers to adopt advanced, client-centered practices.
Small Business Enterprise Leadership Award Winner: Cuzzo’s Cuisine
This award is presented to a small business that is certified by the North Carolina Department of Administration or the City of Charlotte and demonstrates exceptional performance, operational strength and measurable contributions to economic development in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The honoree exemplifies excellence in service delivery, business growth, community engagement and partnership development.
First cousins and South Carolina Lowcountry natives Chef Andarrio Johnson and Anglee LK Brown grew Cuzzo’s Cuisine into a gourmet food truck and then a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Charlotte serving quality comfort food with bold flavors and heartfelt hospitality.
The restaurant employs staff members in culinary, front-of-house, management, marketing and event support roles. The team prioritizes hiring locally and developing talent from within, training and mentoring team members in transferrable hospitality, customer service, food operations and leadership skills.
Cuzzo’s Cuisine invests in long-term economic impact through education and service. Free cooking classes introduce young people to culinary arts, entrepreneurship and career pathways. The restaurant hosts Johnson & Wales University students as interns to prepare them for long-term careers and to strengthen the local talent pool. During periods of economic hardship, Cuzzo's Cuisine has provided meals to unpaid workers, reinforcing community stability and economic resilience.
The Industry Stewardship Award Winner: HELD Architecture
This award is presented to a firm that models responsible, forward-thinking stewardship among the contracting and business industry. The award recipient champions equitable opportunity, fosters inclusive and sustainable business practices and supports the growth and development of diverse suppliers and subcontractors. Through leadership, advocacy and consistent engagement, this firm is strengthening the industry as a whole, ensuring progress is shared, opportunities are accessible and the path forward is built with collaboration and accountability.
Held Architecture, led by Kristina Held, designs architecture that connects people, communities and the environment with a strong emphasis on context-sensitive, community-centered development.
The firm prioritizes sustainable, high-performance designs that reduce energy burdens, lower operating costs for residents and businesses, and make healthier, more affordable living environments accessible across diverse populations in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the Southeast. Advocating for walkable, resilient neighborhoods, Held Architecture helps ensure people of all backgrounds can thrive in spaces that value equity, wellness and cultural resonance.
Held Architecture contributes to the local economy by creating thoughtful, durable spaces for developers, businesses and residents. The firm engages the community through collaborations, hiring, education and advocacy for sustainable practices. This strengthens Charlotte-Mecklenburg's built environment and promotes inclusive and innovative industry standards.
Young Entrepreneur Award Winner: Pa&J Tinting LLC
This award is presented to a young business owner between the ages of 10 and 25 who demonstrates outstanding vision, innovation and leadership. The award will honor a recipient who has successfully launched or grew a business and shown resilience in overcoming challenges, while serving as an inspiration to other emerging entrepreneurs. This award celebrates the next generation of business leaders shaping the future of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.
Pa&J Tinting LLC is a locally owned and BBB-accredited automotive and window tinting business that upholds the values of trust, fairness and customer service. These high standards build confidence among a broad and diverse customer base across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region.
Through quality services that enhance vehicle performance, comfort and aesthetics, Pa&J Tinting LLC attracts and retains customers. These customers then circulate spending within the local economy, supporting related sectors such as auto sales, maintenance and property services, and adding to the region’s economic diversity and resilience.
Pa&J Tinting LLC also champions economic growth by helping individuals and local businesses operate more efficiently and attractively. Residential and commercial tint and film installations improve the energy efficiency of buildings and lower operational costs. Additionally, custom decals and sublimation printing services bolster small businesses’ branding and marketing efforts, which strengthen their market presence.
Community and Economic Impact Award Winner: University City Partners
This award is presented to a business or individual that champions empowerment, collaboration and community growth. The honoree is committed to supporting people from all backgrounds and strengthening the community through innovative and impactful initiatives.
Established to support one of Charlotte’s most diverse and fast-growing areas, University City Partners (UCP) is a nonprofit district organization dedicated to strengthening University City as a vibrant, inclusive and economically thriving community.
UCP supports small businesses, activates public spaces, produces signature community events, convenes partners around clean and safe initiatives and elevates University City’s identity as a destination to live, work, learn and invest.
Its vision is rooted in inclusive growth ensuring that economic progress benefits people from all backgrounds while strengthening community pride and resilience. Equity, access and inclusion are not separate initiatives, but instead the foundation to all that UCP does. UCP’s work is grounded in uplifting, strengthening and celebrating that diversity while making sure people from all backgrounds feel welcome, informed and connected to opportunity.