ACC Small Business Community Impact Award

Heart and Sol Receives ACC 2025 Small Business Community Impact Award

Heart and Sol, a Loveland-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural appreciation, has been honored with the ACC 2025 Small Business Community Impact Award. The prestigious award recognizes an outstanding small business or non-profit from the Northern Colorado, Southern Colorado, or Western Slope regions that has demonstrated significant growth, innovation, and positive community influence.

Heart and Sol's core mission is to promote diversity and cultural appreciation in Loveland, Colorado, by creating opportunities to showcase the diversity of the city’s creative community and small businesses.

The organization's significant impact was highlighted by their successful hosting of the first Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month Festival in May 2025 at the Loveland Library. This event was a pivotal moment, enabling the Asian Chamber of Commerce (ACC) to connect with dozens of AAPI small businesses—from retail pop-ups to established contractors—many of whom were previously unaware of the ACC's existence and potential to empower their enterprises.

The ACC shared a poignant anecdote illustrating the festival’s community-building power. An elderly gentleman, initially perturbed by the noise near his home, approached the ACC booth. Upon learning that the festival and the ACC were celebrating Asian culture and heritage, his demeanor instantly changed. The Korean War veteran, who had lived in Asia for many years, grinned and expressed how impressed he was that the City of Loveland was recognizing Asian culture.

The ACC noted, "That’s the very definition of Community Impact."

The award was presented to Nessa Whitney, representing the organization.