Susan Devlin, a community supporter and small business owner, is this year’s recipient of the Thomas J. Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award presented by the South Boston Chamber of Commerce.

The ceremony for the award, which is in honor and memory of our great friend and South Boston business supporter Tommy Butler, will take place Saturday at 11:15 a.m. on the Library Stage at the South Boston Street Fest. 

“I was so surprised and thrilled that I was even thought of,” said Susan, owner of Nurture Salon & Spa at 127 L St. “That was such a gift. And that weekend, it's 20 years that I've been open for business. So it was a double treat.

“I'm beyond grateful. I want to continue to serve the community. This is such a great community to be able to be a part of.”

Susan has supported so many charities over the years, including A Foundation To Be Named Later, Room to Grow, Big Sisters of Boston, the Phoenix House, South Boston Catholic Academy, Laboure, South Boston Neighborhood House, numerous client marathoners, and so many local South Boston organizations. 

Susan and her Nurture team raised $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer in the world. 

Giving back is important to Susan because she is grateful for the support this community has given her. “If it weren’t for this community, I wouldn’t still have my doors open.”

Susan had an unorthodox aspiration as a small child. While other girls were preoccupied with future dream weddings, Susan’s entrepreneurial spirit had her captivated by the idea of one day owning her own business. Even in her youth, she knew the key to success would be to align her childhood ambition with her fervent personal philosophy: Every person is beautiful and deserves to feel as beautiful as they are. 

Susan has worked hard to create a welcoming and positive environment at Nurture, the place that brings her childhood dream full circle in inspiring positive change.

The secret to her success: gratitude and attitude. “It’s really hard to believe that it’s already been 20 years,” she said. “We’re so lucky; we’re so blessed; we’re so busy.

“Thank you to everybody who has supported me over the years and helped me succeed. I'm truly so grateful.”