WNBA Legend Lisa Leslie surprises three small businesses with $20,000

It's good day when you get surprised with $20,000, and it's an even better day when the person handing that unexpected check over to you is none other than Lisa Leslie.

On Friday, the WNBA legend presented three national small businesses, Perry’s Joint, BJ’s Nevada Barbeque and the Homeless Garden Project with $20,000 each to celebrate their selection as Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp’s 2025 Small Business Heroes. Recognized for their inspiring work, these companies were selected for this recognition from a large pool of submissions, for their demonstration of courage, perseverance and integrity while making an impact in their local communities of Pasadena, CA, Sparks, NV and Santa Cruz, CA, respectively.

The special event not only spotlighted the recipients' ongoing dedication to going above and beyond to serve their customers, employees and greater community, but also introduced Intuit’s expanded Small Business Hero Program. This new initiative aims to extend the magic of Hero Day, and spotlight and celebrate even more small businesses that are making significant, positive impacts in their communities throughout the year.

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After the event, Leslie told SN: "It’s important for us as a community to recognize the impact of small businesses and to find ways to show our appreciation to them... I’m so excited that Intuit QuickBooks and Mailchimp have come together to find ways to impact small businesses. That amount of money – $20,000 – can really impact a business’s whole life, especially a small business."

Perry's Joint is a sandwich shop established over 20 years ago in Pasadena and Altadena that serves as both a cultural hub for its jazz-themed space and a pillar of community support. BJ's Nevada Barbecue is a local BBQ staple not only enhances local culinary education and mentors students for competitions but also supports first responders during emergencies. The Homeless Garden Project addresses homelessness with impactful programs including job training, transitional employment and extensive support services.

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