Debra Bacchi of The Muscle Manipulator in Gardnerville was selected by the Nevada district office of the Small Business Administration as the state's home-based business champion of the year.
"The award is overwhelming," said Bacchi, who is a myopathic muscular therapist. "It's good for business and good for people to know what myopathy is."
Myopathic muscular therapy is based on the theory that normal body function depends on normal body structure. The therapy is designed to reduce tension and restore normal blood and nerve supply.
"Myopathy is simple and it works," Bacchi said. "Muscles have a memory so I re-educate them to go back. People need to know there's an alternative."
The winners of the small business awards were judged by an independent panel of small business leaders on such criteria staying power, innovativeness of product or service, response to adversity and evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects.
Bacchi was nominated by her fiancé Michael J. Smith of Millennium Environmental Services. Smith said Bacchi should be recognized for the home-based business award as a citizen who "goes above and beyond in the service to help others."
"I wanted to get out how dedicated Debra is to her business," said Smith. "She's made a total commitment."
Bacchi was a licensed massage therapist at Harrah's Tahoe for 13 years and started the myopathic therapy business in her home in Gardnerville two years ago.
She was chosen as best massage therapist in the Best of Carson Valley awards and as Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sierra Nevada Republican Women in 2005.
Bacchi has created charities to donate food to the Carson Valley Community Food Closet, clothes and household items to Valley thrift shops and aluminum cans and tabs to benefit the 4-H Club and Washoe Head Start program.
The Nevada Small Business Administration honors the 12 winners at an awards luncheon at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas on May 9.
For more information about myopathy, contact The Muscle Manipulator at 782-2432.
