Mark and Shawn Bula, the father-and-son duo behind Signature Farms, were recently honored as SBA’s Small Business Persons of the Year for Wisconsin. Based in Grand Marsh, WI, Signature Farms oversees a vast potato-farming operation, spanning 12,000 acres across four counties in central Wisconsin, along with additional farmland in Florida.
In addition to their Wisconsin award, during last week's National Small Business Week's awards ceremony in Washington D.C., Mark and Shawn were awarded the First Runner-Up for National Small Business Persons of the Year! A truly impressive accomplishment.
In 2021 and 2022, WBD collaborated with One Community Bank to support Signature Farms through SBA 504 REFI financing, helping restructure significant debt. A $5 million SBA 504 loan provided a 25-year fixed rate below 4%, ensuring long-term stability for the business. One Community Bank’s market president, Joe Zaffino, worked alongside WBD loan officer Mike Dieckman to facilitate the process.
The prestigious state award was presented at a breakfast in Friendship, WI, on April 30th. Following the recognition, the Bula family traveled to Washington, D.C., where they represented Wisconsin and were celebrated during National Small Business Week.
A heartfelt congratulations to Mark and Shawn on this outstanding achievement!
