1. News ReleaseMassachusettsDistrictOffice
Release Date: April 16, 2015 Contact: Norman Eng 617-565-8510
Release Number: 15-11 Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news
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Worcester-based Ace Medical Services, Inc. Wins
SBA Massachusetts Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
BOSTON – Ace Medical Services, Inc. has been named the winner of the 2015 Massachusetts
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award according to an announcement by Robert
Nelson, Massachusetts SBA District Director.
“I am very honored that the SBA will recognize Michael and Raphael with this significant
award” said Robert Nelson. “Their hard work and dedication truly is exemplary and all of us at
the SBA applaud the Ace Medical team and leadership for never giving up and for the impacts
they have made in the community they serve. The accomplishments are outstanding!”
Michael Chege and Raphael Bibiu are perfect examples of the American Dream. Both
immigrated to the United States from Kenya with all their belongings in one suitcase. They
worked as CNAs (certified nursing assistant) in the health care industry while going back to
college to improve themselves and gain experience. In 2007, they decided to start their own
Home Health Care Company to do God’s work – providing medical and home services to the
elderly, sick and underserved minority groups.
Starting out in a small one room office at the Martin Luther King Empowerment Center in
Worcester, they developed their vision and mission for the company – often wrestling with
doubt, thinking about giving up and declaring bankruptcy. In July of 2009, the team started
utilizing free counseling services from Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
(MSBDC) at Clark University, who assisted them in putting together and implementing a sound
business plan to generate growth. Later that year after repeatedly being turned down by multiple
banks, help in the form of a $150,000 SBA 7A loan was approved by Commerce Bank. This
infusion of capital helped the young startup company persevere through a phase when total
revenue was approximately $500,000 with a net income of $53,000. Today, Ace Medical
Services is a $3.6 million company that employs 120 people in the area.
The Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year award is presented annually to a growing
business, with three years of success in sales and profits, increased jobs, an innovative product,
and demonstrated potential.

2. The company was nominated for this award by John Rainey, Regional Director with
Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Central Regional Office.
Michael Chege and Raphael Bibiu will be honored at an SBA awards lunch along with the other
2015 Massachusetts Small Business Week winners at the Sheraton Framingham on May 4, 2015.
About SBA National Small Business Week:
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing
National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s
entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a
small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As
part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the
opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and
others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small business,
create 21st
century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About Ace Medical Services:
Ace Medical Services, Inc. was established in December of 2006 as a staffing agency, and
converted to a home health care agency in 2007. Our major client categories includes: elderly,
post-acute patients, and long term chronically ill patients. Our services include skilled nursing,
therapy, home health aide care, PCA, medical social worker and homemaking. Ace Medical
Services is Medicare/Medicaid certified and accredited through CHAP (Community Health
Accreditation Program). For more information on Ace Medical Services, please visit:
www.acemedservices.com
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