Bryant grad named RI Small Business Person of the Year, meets President Obama

Ann-Marie Harrington ’86 is president and founder of Embolden, the Pawtucket, RI-based Web development and consultant firm.

Ann-Marie Harrington ’86 had the thrill of a lifetime last month when she visited the White House and met President Barack Obama. Harrington was in the nation’s capital to be honored as the Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year, as selected by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Read a profile about Ann-Marie Harrington.

The winners from each of the 50 states had no idea President Obama would meet with them until the day of the event. He addressed them along with SBA administrator Karen Mills.

Minutes after the speech ended, Harrington lauded President Obama for his vision for small business on her Twitter page. “Great small-business speech,” she tweeted. “It is so awe-inspiring to see him up close and experience his amazing charisma in person.”

During the trip, Harrington met with Rhode Island politicians, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Patrick Kennedy. She also visited the Washington and Lincoln monuments, the National Mall, and the World War II Memorial. (View a Facebook photo album of the trip.)

The most memorable moment of the trip for Harrington was when she took her first step into the White House. “It was a privilege to be there and walk around the East Wing and experience so much history,” she says. “I felt more like a guest than a tourist.” (Read more about National Small Business Week.)

Business excellence

Despite an economic downturn, Embolden reported that the fourth quarter of last year was the most successful to date. The 11-year-old company is one of the fastest-growing Web development and technology consulting firms in New England. The company’s clients primarily include community foundations and non-profit organizations. (Learn more about Embolden.)

(Photo on the left) Ann-Marie Harrington ’86 with Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed. (Photo on the right) Ann-Marie Harrington ’86 with Rhode Island Congressman Patrick Kennedy.

“To be honored as the Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year, especially in this economy,” says Harrington, “is a tribute to the company as a whole, the great staff we have, and our high quality work and customer service.”