Last week marked National Small Business Week, including the SBA’s annual recognition of New Hampshire businesses on May 7th — an important reminder that small businesses remain the foundation of both New Hampshire’s economy and its communities. In New Hampshire, 99% of businesses are considered small businesses, and within the outdoor economy, they are often the heartbeat of local identity itself. They activate downtowns, create jobs in rural communities, preserve craftsmanship, steward natural resources, sponsor local events, and help shape the culture and character that make New Hampshire such a compelling place to live and work. While headlines often focus on large employers or major economic development projects, it is small businesses that quietly hold communities together day after day.

This year’s SBA award recipients, GOA members One Earth Body Care (Plymouth, NH) and Peter Limmer & Sons (Intervale, NH), represent two very different pathways through entrepreneurship, yet both reflect something deeply New Hampshire: building businesses with patience, purpose, and a strong sense of place.

ONE EARTH BODY CARE: From Climbing Balm to Purpose-Driven Brand

Anne accepted the award solo while Ed was in Atlanta celebrating their daughter’s graduation from Emory’s MBA program — a fitting reminder that behind every small business is a family balancing growth, sacrifice, and a whole lot of moving pieces. Courtesy Photo

One Earth Body Care, named SBA’s 2026 New Hampshire Micro-Enterprise Business of the Year, grew from a simple need identified by two climbers trying to care for damaged hands after long days on the rock. Founders Anne Altor and Ed LaPlante combined backgrounds in environmental science, entrepreneurship, and sustainability to create a company rooted in eco-conscious ingredients, reduced waste, and stewardship of both people and planet. What began as a homemade healing balm evolved into a growing national brand producing soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and personal care products designed around environmental responsibility rather than excess. In many ways, One Earth represents the next generation of New Hampshire outdoor entrepreneurship: mission-driven, community-oriented, and focused on building something resilient and values-based for the long haul rather than growth at all costs.

Peter Limmer & Sons: A Century of Craftsmanship, Built for the Long Haul

Adam Lane-Olsen of Peter Limmer & Sons addresses attendees in Concord after being recognized as New Hampshire SBA Manufacturer of the Year and New England Rural Business of the Year — a testament to the enduring value of craftsmanship, heritage manufacturing, and rural entrepreneurship in the outdoor economy.

Peter Limmer & Sons tells a different, but equally important, story. Recently recognized as SBA’s 2026 New Hampshire Small Business Manufacturer of the Year and New England Rural Business of the Year, the company represents nearly a century of heritage manufacturing in the Mount Washington Valley. Since relocating to Intervale in 1950, Limmer has quietly become one of the most respected handcrafted bootmakers in the outdoor world, producing boots known globally for their quality, fit, and longevity. Under owner Adam Lane-Olsen — who apprenticed directly under Peter S. Limmer before taking ownership in 2021 — the company is proving that legacy businesses can evolve while remaining fiercely committed to craftsmanship, local production, and rural community vitality. The business has expanded its workforce, strengthened domestic sourcing, and invested in long-term sustainability while preserving a tradition that has become woven into New Hampshire’s outdoor identity. In many ways, Peter Limmer & Sons reflects the kind of enduring business One Earth aspires toward: deeply rooted companies that become institutions because they earn trust across generations.

No One Builds Alone: The Value of Mentorship & Small Business Support

Both stories also highlight something that often gets overlooked in New Hampshire’s entrepreneurial culture which is that successful businesses are rarely built entirely alone. In a state where “Live Free or Die” can sometimes translate into gritty independence, mentorship, advising, and technical support can make an enormous difference. Organizations like the NH Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration provide critical resources that help entrepreneurs navigate growth, financing, operations, succession planning, exporting, and increasingly complex market conditions. Each year, NH SBDC supports approximately 3,000 businesses across 200 communities through confidential advising, education, and strategic guidance tailored to the realities of small business ownership. Since 1984, the organization has helped launch thousands of businesses, create and save jobs, and unlock hundreds of millions in capital investment across the state.

At a time when small businesses face mounting pressures — workforce shortages, rising costs, shifting consumer behavior, supply chain uncertainty, and broader economic volatility — these support systems matter more than ever. Outdoor businesses in particular occupy a unique place within New Hampshire’s economy because they are rooted not only in commerce, but also in community, stewardship, and quality of place. Whether it is sustainable manufacturing in Plymouth, handcrafted boots in Intervale, or countless guide services, retailers, farms, makers, and hospitality businesses across the state, small businesses remain the lifeblood of New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy. National Small Business Week serves as a timely reminder that supporting these businesses means supporting the communities, landscapes, and people that make New Hampshire what it is.