DETROIT, November 09, 2009 – Michelle D’Souza, President and CEO of Unified Business Technologies, Inc. in Troy, has been named the 2009 Michigan Minority Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. UBT is a leading provider of high-quality human resources, services, and solutions, providing major companies with highly-trained experienced employees and innovative solutions.
“Michelle D’Souza is a consummate professional and a role model for other minority contractors,” said Richard Temkin, SBA District Director. “She is always willing to share her strategies for success with others because she truly wants all small businesses to succeed. I am proud to announce that she is this year’s winner of the Michigan Minority Small Business Person of the Year award.”
Growing up in Goa, India, D’Souza had to overcome the cultural obstacles of being a woman entrepreneur. She started a cooling business at the age of 16, and within two years she was a major contributor to her family’s income. In 1993 Michelle and her husband moved to the United States where she worked as a stockbroker. The couple started UBT in 1997, specializing in IT staffing. She now operates the company without the help of her husband who pursued other career options. Today, UBT has offices in Alabama, Arizona, Ohio and Michigan.
In 2004, UBT was accepted into the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which helps small disadvantaged businesses gain access to federal and private procurement markets. “The Michigan District Office is the best SBA office in the country and has exceeded our expectations,” D’Souza said.
D’Souza was named the 2008 Enterprising Women of the Year by Enterprising Woman Magazine. The award recognizes winners as leaders who have been a mentor and given back to other women in business, and have who had a profound impact on their communities.
