Boyle returned to Vermont in 2008 and founded Integrative Acupuncture. Today, the practice provides care to around 300 people per week for a wide variety of conditions, including pain management, sports injuries, fertility and pregnancy, sleep disorders, general stress management and wellness. The staff includes acupuncturists, massage therapists and naturopathic doctors.
“My work as a healthcare provider is driven by a passion for helping people heal with acupuncture,” Boyle said. “But I discovered that I could expand my reach by creating a larger network of healers and at the same time creating jobs and more access to this incredible medicine.”
In April, Boyle along with integrative acupuncture provider Jonathan Fleming traveled to Washington DC to receive the SBA award from SBA National Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzmán. That ceremony honored small business award winners from each state and coincided with National Small Business Week.
As part of the national meeting program, Boyle and Fleming had the opportunity to demonstrate their craft, including an acupressure session with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., a supporter of alternative medicine, who participated in the event. Boyle also had the opportunity to speak with staff from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ office to advocate for legislation that would integrate acupuncture into Medicare coverage.
On June 12, the Vermont District SBA and VermontBiz Magazine co-hosted the Vermont Ceremony in Essex, where Boyle’s was among nine awards presented.
In accepting his award, Boyle highlighted the keys to small business and entrepreneurship, such as vision, creativity, hard work and family. He also shared the benefits entrepreneurs could find in East Asian cosmology and this year’s Yang Wood Dragon, which symbolizes growth, creativity and strength.
The other 2024 SBA Vermont award categories and winners announced were:
Jeffrey Butland Family Business of the Year in Vermont and New England: Gina Akley of Trow & Holden Company, Inc., Barre
Women-Owned Business of the Year: Julie Moir Messervy of Home Outside, Inc., Brattleboro
Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Marie Esther Teme of Green Vision Cleansing, Burlington
Small Business Manufacturer of the Year for Vermont and New England: Dr. Marie Pavini of Healthy Design, Ltd Co., doing business as HD Medical, Rutland
Financial Services Champion: Geoffrey Hesslink, CEO of Bank of Burlington, South Burlington
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Emiliano Void of nuwave Equity Corporation, Burlington
Microbusiness of the Year: Wendy Mackenzie of Everlasting Herb Farm, Peacham
Community Legacy Award: Ahmed Omar of Kismayo Kitchen, Burlington
According to the SBA, there are more than 33 million small businesses in the United States, accounting for two-thirds of the new jobs created in the last 25 years. More than half of the American workforce works in small businesses. More information about the SBA is online at sba.gov.
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