CEO & Director of Consulting Deonna Barnett Honored with 2024 Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader Award

The Columbus Chamber has honored Small Business Leaders for over thirty years. These leaders rise above the rest and have substantiated success and leadership, increased sales, workforce and contributions to the community. The Small Business Leader Award honors any owner, founder, president, managing partner or CEO whose business exemplifies success through increased sales, number of employees and contributions to the community. These are the elite, the best of the best.

Deonna Barnett, CEO and Director of Consulting of Aventi Enterprises, was selected as the recipient of the 2024 Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader Award!

Deonna Barnett, a small business strategist and consultant, brings a wealth of expertise in various domains such as business planning, financial management, operations, project management, and marketing strategy development. Currently serving as the CEO & Director of Consulting at Aventi Enterprises, LLC, a strategic consulting firm based in Columbus, OH, Deonna focuses on assisting small businesses in accessing capital and government contracts. Aventi’s services encompass business strategy, planning, financing preparation, small business certification assistance, bid preparation, and contract financing, with a special emphasis on developing women and minority-owned businesses in Ohio through community partnerships and online education.

“Deonna Barnett is a beacon of inspiration and success in small business leadership. Her tireless dedication to empowering entrepreneurs and her unwavering commitment to community development exemplify the spirit of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader Award. Congratulations, Deonna, on this well-deserved honor!” – Don DePerro, President & CEO of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce

With a remarkable fifteen-year commitment to supporting small businesses in Central Ohio, Deonna has spearheaded entrepreneurial training programs, engaged in fundraising efforts, and provided training to over 2000 local entrepreneurs. Her dedication extends beyond experience, involving leading focus groups and conducting research studies on small, women, and minority-owned businesses. Deonna’s accolades include the Stephanie J. Bevens Award in 2016 for her entrepreneurial spirit and strong commitment to small business ownership. A graduate of The Ohio State University, she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and served on the Board of Directors of the Columbus Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners from 2020 to 2023. She is a wife, mother of 4 boys, and the daughter of two entrepreneurs and musicians Alison & LG Scott.

Congratulations, Deonna!

For more information on the Small Business Leader Award, visit https://columbus.org/members/awards/small-business-award/.

To learn more about Aventi Enterprises, visit https://aventienterprises.com/.

ABOUT THE COLUMBUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Columbus Chamber of Commerce is a mission-driven nonprofit organization serving more than 2,300 organizations throughout the Columbus Region. The Columbus Chamber, founded in 1884, is committed to advancing a thriving business community and provides support in the areas of research, government affairs, marketing, diversity, equity, inclusion and access, education, and talent and workforce development. Learn more: https://columbus.org/

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
The Columbus Chamber’s Annual Meeting is Central Ohio’s premiere event for the business community. Presenters include leaders from the Columbus Region’s leading companies each year, and the program honors innovation and service with the Columbus Award and Small Business Leader Award.

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