Lake Street Council Board member honored as SBA’s Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Brittany Howard, of Victory Business Solutions in Minneapolis, as SBA’s Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year. In recognition of National Small Business Week next week, SBA’s Minnesota District Office will recognize its 2025 state winners locally. 

“We are thrilled to recognize Brittany Howard of Victory Business Solutions as the 2025 Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Brittany’s innovation, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit exemplify the next generation of business leadership” said Brian McDonald, SBA Minnesota District Director. “Her ability to turn vision into reality at such a young age is truly inspiring, and her success serves as a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. We are proud to celebrate her accomplishments and look forward to seeing her continued impact on Minnesota’s business community.”

Brittany, 29, is a passionate advocate for financial literacy and community-centered economic empowerment. A graduate of Metropolitan State University with degrees in Accounting and Organizational Administration, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of financial management. As an enrolled agent with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, Brittany is an expert in tax law and representation, allowing her to provide crucial financial services to small businesses and individuals.

Currently pursuing her MBA at St. Catherine University, Brittany continues to expand her expertise and leadership skills to better serve her clients. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a desire to bridge the financial literacy gap in underserved communities. This passion led to the founding of Victory, a Black and woman-owned accounting firm.Victory provides accessible, high-quality accounting and tax services, prioritizing women-owned and BIPOC small businesses. Under Brittany’s leadership, the firm focuses on financial education, business development, and wealth-building strategies, ensuring that historically underserved entrepreneurs have the resources to achieve long-term success.

Brittany’s personal journey is one of resilience and determination. As a young mother, she overcame the challenges of dropping out of high school to care for her terminally ill father and raise her son. These experiences shaped her unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities—not just for herself but for others as well.

In addition to running Victory, Brittany is deeply engaged in community service and nonprofit work. She is a board member of the Lake Street Council and a member of the loan committee at the Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers (MCCD). Through partnerships with organizations such as the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Neighborhood Development Center, Rutgers University, Legal Services Corporation, MCCD, and the Community Reinvestment Fund USA, Victory provides affordable or free bookkeeping and tax preparation services to support local entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Brittany also participated in the 2024 SBA Minnesota District Office THRIVE Emerging Leaders Program, further solidifying her role as a leader in the small business community.

As the SBA Minnesota Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Brittany remains committed to closing the financial wealth gap and ensuring that all business owners have access to the financial tools and education necessary for success.

National Small Business Week 2025 will be held May 4-10 and will include a multi-day virtual event open to all. The conference will feature numerous educational panels, and recognize national award winners, including naming this year’s National Small Business Person of the Year. For registration and additional information on National Small business Week, visit https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week.