Pine Cone Hill Founder Recognized for Small Business

Her name was announced  a couple months ago, but Annie Selke, president and founder of Pine Cone Hill Inc., was honored Monday as the state's Small Business Person of the Year.

Selke was one of 11 individuals and businesses from Massachusetts recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C., on Monday as part of National Small Business Week. She will also be honored at an event in Worcester on June 8.

Selke started Pine Cone Hill in 1993 from her home. The home design company has expanded from whole sale fabrics and furniture to include handloomed braided and woven rugs and tableware, linens and accessories with Dash & Albert Rug Co. and Potluck Studio. The company employs 85 in Western Mass. and occupies 200,000 square feet. It's housed in a former textile mill renovated through a SBA loan program in 2004 and also has an outlet in the Lenox Shops.

Also cited was Richard Lafrance, CEO of Lafrance Hospitality Co., of Westfield

For more information on Small Business Week 2010, including information on all award winners, visit nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/.