Business Spotlight

Merritt Business Solutions President and CEO Denise Merritt and her firm have been on a thrill ride for the past year. The Florida-based entrepreneur was named 2024 Supplier of the Year by the National LGBT Chamber (NGLCC) and one of 14 WBE Stars by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), representing WBEC Florida.
Being on the national stage with her business has given her insight into how one person and one company can inspire countless others to make a difference. Merritt sat down with Affinity Inc. for a conversation about her time in the spotlight.

Q: What did it feel like to be named the NGLCC Supplier of the Year? What did it mean to you?
A: Being named NGLCC Supplier of the Year was surreal — I’m still pinching myself! This was something I had placed on my vision board, so to see it come to life was both thrilling and deeply humbling. It felt like a full-circle moment. It validated everything we’ve been building at Merritt Business Solutions.
As an award-winning HR outsourcing and employee benefits company, our core mission is to help minority businesses achieve economic equality. We do this by ensuring every client receives exponentially more value than what they invest with us. But what I’m equally proud of is how we walk our talk internally. Every purchase we make, every vendor relationship we form — we intentionally seek out minority-owned businesses first. If we can’t find a minority vendor, we ensure that whoever we partner with genuinely aligns with our mission and values before signing any contracts.
This award represents something bigger than recognition — it’s proof that when we help each other succeed and become wildly successful, our collective voices become impossible to ignore. That’s the real win: success that lifts us all.

Q: How has that award shaped the way you’ve conducted your business this year?
A: The recognition has been energizing for our entire team — which, by the way, has grown significantly this year. We’ve incorporated it into our marketing strategy to reach more businesses, helping them focus on growth and success rather than getting bogged down in HR complexities.
Someone recently introduced us as “an award-winning HR firm” — and while we’ve received recognition before, I’d never thought to lead with that kind of confidence. There’s a difference between arrogance and being proud of your accomplishments, and this recognition helped me find that balance.
More importantly, it’s given our team this incredible “if we can achieve this, we can achieve anything” mindset. That energy is contagious and translates directly into the results we deliver for our clients.

Q: You were also named the WBEC Florida Star for 2025 at the WBENC National Conference. What did that mean to you? How are you leveraging that opportunity?
A: Receiving the WBENC Star recognition right after the NGLCC award was like lightning striking twice — incredibly humbling but also a powerful reminder that we’re making a real impact. When others start recognizing the work you’re doing, it validates that you’re on the right path.
We’ve woven both recognitions into all our brand touchpoints — from marketing and sales conversations to networking and strategic partnerships. It’s opened doors that might have taken years to unlock otherwise. I’ve noticed other Stars have invested in PR support, which is something we’re considering as well.
But honestly, what matters most to me is if these recognitions inspire other business owners to care more deeply about supporting LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses. If our visibility encourages even one person to be more intentional about where they spend their money and who they partner with, then we’ve accomplished something meaningful.

Q: You’ve been very active in your local Pride Chamber. What’s happening in Orlando, and how has that experience influenced your business approach?
A: I’ve had the honor of serving as board chair for the Orlando Pride Chamber for four years now, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built. Under the incredible leadership of our CEO and President Gina Duncan — who’s the first transgender woman ever to lead a chamber — we’ve expanded from a small team of one to three full-time employees, including our phenomenal Events and Membership Director Vinnie Silbur and amazing Administrative Assistant Jennifer Whitman.
We’ve launched several powerful programs: the Corporate Equality Council brings corporations to the table to learn LGBTQ+ workplace best practices; our EMERGE Business Leadership Academy develops future business leaders; and our GovEd Advocacy Committee tracks public policy that impacts our community, to name a few. You can learn about all our initiatives at thepridechamber.org.
What I love most is hearing members say they’ve found their “family” and “community” through the chamber. That experience taught me that the most sustainable way to grow your business is through genuine collaboration and community building — and that philosophy has strengthened MBS.

Q: What’s next for your business
— what are you most excited about
for 2026?
A: As MBS continues growing, I’m most excited about our evolution into a truly team-led business. My vision is to fully embrace the visionary role, empowering our team to lead operations and continue scaling our impact. We might not be completely there by 2026, but every day we’re moving closer to that goal.
This transition excites me because it means we can serve more clients at an even higher level while creating incredible growth opportunities for our team members. It’s the ultimate win-win scenario.

Q: Any final thoughts you’d like
to share?
A: As business owners, we have incredible power in our purchasing decisions and partnerships. Every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of economy and world we want to create. I encourage everyone to be intentional about spending their money, time, and energy with people and companies they genuinely want to see grow and flourish.
And I absolutely must thank my team — for showing up with heart, for embracing our mission and values fully, for being all-in with me on this adventure and journey. Their dedication and commitment are what make our impact possible. We will continue to grow together and help businesses thrive, making a real difference in the business community.

To learn more about Merritt business solutions, visit merrittbusiness.solutions.

Denise Merritt, president and CEO, Merritt Business Solutions