Bristol Wins Small Business Revolution Competition

When the results for the Small Business Revolution were announced on Wednesday, Bristol Borough residents were floored to see streaming series host Amanda Brinkman step out from behind the curtains of the Bristol Riverside Theater.

There were tears and there were plenty of cheers throughout the theater. From council people to everyday residents of the borough, entire audience cheered and looked in shock as they found out Bristol won the Small Business Revolution competition.

For Bristol Borough: Raising the Bar Chairman Bill Pezza, the economic rewards aren’t to be forgotten, but the contest turned into one of regional pride for him. He said he believes surrounding communities such as Falls and Middletown townships helped Bristol win the contest that will provide businesses with marketing assistance, a $500,000 grant and the lead role on Hulu’s “Small Business Revolution” streaming series. The series is hosted by Brinkman and “Shark Tank” investor Robert Herjavec.

“I’m glad our commercial district will be part of the economic influx,” Pezza said before going on to mention the excitement of being included in the second season of the “Small Business Revolution.”

While the win is huge for the riverfront town, the big takeaway Pezza wants people who worked for Bristol’s win to understand is the individual efforts and contributions towards the overall goal of the town.

Pezza began to list the names that he wanted to thank, but even in thanking wide groups, he thought he would be missing some. At the top of his list are the elected officials who reached out to their communities, schools, churches, private citizens, hospitals and many more who advocated for Bristol in the voting competition.

Brinkman, who surprised the crowd Wednesday, said she had tears welling up in her eyes before taking the stage knowing what the win meant for the people of Bristol.

“To see and hear that reaction, that’s why we do this,” Brinkman said.

During his speech Wednesday, Pezza referenced a famous quote from Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena” speech.

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat,” Roosevelt said.

And in trying for the win, Bristol dared greatly, Pezza added.

Bristol Borough Council Vice President Betty Rodriguez has been in local government for 14 years. In that time, she has never see the town so energized and unified.

“It’s just amazing seeing the outpouring of support from inside and outside the state,” Rodriguez said.

“It’s just the best place in America,” Councilwoman Lorraine Cullen said.

To the credit of Bristol, the town has already been hard at work. Docks are being installed, volunteers are sprucing up the neighborhoods and new businesses are seemingly constantly opening on Mill Street and beyond.

Jose Tilapa, owner of Keystone Boxing MMA and Athletics on Mill Street, said he was beyond excited for the show to begin filming in Bristol. He explained that he hopes to be featured on the program and use what he learns to grow his business.

Brinkman said the passion from Bristol residents and business is infectious, something that will become clear to the rest of the world on the streaming series.

After the announcement, the crew went to scout a possible filming location and was planning to finish up with dinner at the King George II Inn along the Delaware River.

The next step in the Small Business Revolution is the first round of filming, which is set to start when the crew returns to town on March 6.

Publisher/Editor Tom Sofield contributed to this report.