America's favorite businesses

This family-run tea brewery opened three years ago. It makes kombucha, a fermented tea, and organic soda that's sold in 30 locations in Iowa, including Whole Foods. The family has been brewing kombucha for 10 years and now sells six flavors.

Biggest business challenge: "It's been a challenge to meet the demand," said co-owner Meghan Dowd. But the team plans to move into a new brewery this year, which should help them increase output tenfold.

Best advice: "Start small and test the waters that way," Dowd said. "Sometimes new challenges come up and you have to be willing to meet them by educating yourself and finding the right people to help you."

What they plan to do with the grant money: Expand throughout the Midwest.