NAWBO seeking nominations for Women Entrepreneur of the Year awards

Thursday, March 15, 2012

In conjunction with the Women Entrepreneurs (WE Inspire) Conference on April 4 in Oklahoma City, the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship in Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business and the National Association of Women Business Owners are partnering to honor outstanding women entrepreneurs.

Nominations are now being accepted for the INSPIRE/NAWBO Distinguished Women Entrepreneur Awards, to be presented to outstanding Oklahoma women entrepreneurs in the following categories:

Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (Small Business): A woman entrepreneur who has founded a small business with a local customer base, generally fewer than 20 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenues, and has distinguished herself through contributions to our community;
Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (High Growth): A woman entrepreneur who has created a growth business with over $1 million in annual revenues; created substantial employment for others with more than 20 employees, contractors or franchisees; has an international, national or regional customer base; and has distinguished herself through contribution and giving back to the community;
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year: Recognizes an early stage woman entrepreneur who has had a business for two years or less with annual revenues of under $250,000, and has demonstrated a commitment to growing her venture;
Legacy Award: Recognizing contribution and support for women entrepreneurs by an individual in the Oklahoma community.

The winners will be honored during the INSPIRE/NAWBO awards lunch during the WE Inspire Conference on April 4 at the Cox Convention Center.

“The purpose of the INSPIRE/NAWBO Distinguished Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Awards is to recognize some of the most successful women entrepreneurs in Oklahoma, who not only have been successful in their businesses but who also continuously give back to the community,” said Nola Miyasaki, Norman C. Stevenson Chair in Entrepreneurship and Director of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship at OSU. “There are many deserving and successful women business owners in our state, and we are excited to be able to recognize them and showcase their achievements which in turn provide role models for the many women who seek to follow in their footsteps in growing successful ventures.”

Winners of the 2011 INSPIRE Distinguished Woman Entrepreneur Awards were Regina Pritchett of Turf Team Outdoor Management (small business) and Adrienne Kallweit of Seeking Sitters (high growth venture).

Pritchett founded Turf Team Outdoor Management in 1997 and has grown it to a staff of more than 30. The company has averaged a 33 percent annual growth over the past three years. Kallweit and her husband, David, began Seeking Sitters, a screening service to help applicants as they search for the most qualified sitters, in 2004.

“NAWBO is proud to partner with the Riata Center in identifying the amazing women business owners who are creating economic stimulus through jobs and energizing our economy,” said Ella Speakes, President of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. “NAWBO’s contribution is the establishment of two new awards, the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year and the Legacy Award. The Emerging Entrepreneur award honors a woman entrepreneur building a new business for the first time and provides a $1,000 scholarship to use toward the growth of her business, in addition to membership in NAWBO and mentorship for a year. The Legacy Award recognizes a woman trailblazer, who paved the way for women entrepreneurs in our state and nationally, while active in the community.”

Nomination forms are available at www.weinspire.net or by request via email to will.joyce@okstate.edu. Companies may be nominated by others or may self nominate.Companies interested in sponsorships for the INSPIRE/NAWBO Awards lunch should contact Ella Speakes at 405-596-0251 or Angela Allmond-Tapley at 405-509-9396.

Featured keynotes at the 2012 WE Inspire Conference will be Patricia Miller, co-founder of the design company Vera Bradley; Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of The Baby Einstein Company, Zhena Muzyka, founder of Gypsy Tea, and Debbie Rynda, founder of Stellar Consulting in London.

Miller, co-founder of the design company Vera Bradley, will be one of the day’s featured speakers. Founded in 1982, Vera Bradley is now an international brand known for its colorful handbags, accessories, luggage, eyewear, travel items and gifts. Vera Bradley products are sold in 3,400 retailers, more than 50 company stores and online at www.verabradley.com. The company employs more than 2,000 people.

Aigner-Clark, founder of The Baby Einstein Company, will also present a keynote address. The Baby Einstein Company, now a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a world leader in development and entertainment products for babies and toddlers, and continues to be a number-one selling brand of infant entertainment.

Muzyka, founder of Gypsy Tea, started with less than $6 in her wallet and built a multi-million dollar company that manufactures its products with a meaningful commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and the well being of others. Gypsy Tea is sold through select specialty food markets and department stores.

Rynda is a native Oklahoman who started an internationally successful boutique consulting firm in London, U.K. after working for KPMG for many years. She is recognized as an expert in business strategy and growth, speaking often on topics of using teams and individuals to develop successful business strategies and entrepreneurial excellence.