QUEENS SMALL BUSINESS LEADERS HONORED AT FIVE BOROUGH MWBE AWARDS

Today, two Queens small business owners were honored by the Five Chamber Alliance and TD Bank at a ceremony celebrating outstanding minority and women business leaders. Maxi Lau-O'Keefe, owner of Maxi’s Noodles, and Catanya Gilliam, owner of Nana’s Love LLC, each received a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Award from the city’s five boroughwide chambers of commerce in recognition of their contributions to New York City’s small business community. These two businesses are represented by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.
 
“Queens is a powerhouse when it comes to diverse, driven, and dynamic entrepreneurs, and Maxi and Catanya represent the very best of that spirit," said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. "We’re incredibly proud to see two Queens business owners recognized for their passion and hard work. Their success is a win for our borough and a reminder of the vital role MWBEs play in strengthening our communities.”

"You will never be ready, just start," said Maxi Lau-O'Keefe, owner of Maxi's Noodles. "It's a simple phrase, but it's guided me every step of the way. Starting a business, especially as a woman of color, takes courage, but I believed in my vision and the power of sharing my culture through food. This award is a personal honor and a celebration of every small business owner who dares to start. I'm deeply grateful to the Queens Chamber, the Five Chamber Alliance, and TD Bank for recognizing and uplifting MWBEs across our city."
 
"At Nana’s Love, we believe in blending cultures, serving with heart, and leading with purpose,” said Cantanya Gilliam, owner of Nana’s Love LLC. “Being recognized as a Five Borough MWBE Award recipient is more than an honor — it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, community, and the legacy of love that inspires everything we do. We are humbled, grateful, and motivated to continue building bridges through food and faith."
 
The event, hosted at One Vanderbilt in Midtown Manhattan, included remarks from New York City Small Business Services Commissioner Dynishal Gross.
 
“Queens is one of the world's most diverse and dynamic communities, and home to some of the best small businesses New York City has to offer," said Dynishal Gross, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. "Congratulations to Maxi Lau-O'keefe and Catanya Gilliam, and all of the honorees at this year's Five Borough MWBE Awards. They are shining examples of the ambition of small business owners to do what they do best, grow in this amazing city and be celebrated."
 
In addition to the distribution of awards, the event highlighted the importance of the Small Business Resource Network (SBRN) and its commitment to supporting MWBEs, which represent 76% of the businesses it serves. SBRN is a comprehensive approach to small business resiliency that offers free, personalized guidance and support to help businesses grow and thrive.
“Maxi and Catanya are perfect examples of the entrepreneurial spirit MWBE’s bring to our city, especially here in Queens, one of the most diverse places on Earth,” said George Hadjiconstantinou, Strategic Program Manager at the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “They’ve built something special, and it’s great to see them get the recognition they deserve. We’re proud to be a part of their journey and will continue to support them however we can.”
The other borough winners of the 2025 Five Borough MWBE Awards include:
 

• Miguel Aguaysa, owner of Real Madrid Restaurant, Staten Island
• Danielle Raleigh, owner of Egger’s Ice Cream Parlor, Staten Island
• Grace Figueroa, owner of Happy Bowls, Manhattan
• Qiana Martin, founder of Eat Soccer, Manhattan
• Kermit Middleton, founder & CEO of Cluster Technology Group, Bronx
• Jessica Ortiz-Gonzalez, vice president of operations, American Maintenance 3 Janitorial Services and Supplies Co, Corp., Bronx
• Alexander Small, owner of IX Restaurant, Brooklyn
• Chantel Jackson, owner of Teazert Tea Shoppe, Brooklyn 

Press release available for download, below.

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