In good company: by seeking success on their own terms, our 2008 nominees share a common goal.Now in its 13th year, our annual Small Business Awards highlight companies or entrepreneurs that are exceeding, excelling, and enlightening the free enterprise space. The winners will be announced at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, hosted by General Motors, May 14-17, in Charlotte, North Carolina “Charlotte” redirects here. For other uses, see Charlotte (disambiguation). Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and the 20th largest city in the United States. , and will be featured in an upcoming issue of BE. EMERGING COMPANY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES This award recognizes businesses that have poised themselves for growth by carving out a special niche or by adopting creative marketing techniques, [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Aten Solutions Inc. TYPE OF BUSINESS Clinical trials and research CEO/PRESIDENT LeahBrown LOCATION Cary, NC www.atensolutions.com There's no room for error. Just ask Leah Brown. Her company, Aten Solutions Inc., oversees clinical trials for global biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as academic and governmental research centers. Launched in 2004, the company, which specializes in clinical research, clinical data management, statistical programming, and biostatistics biostatistics /bio·sta·tis·tics/ (-stah-tis´tiks) biometry. bi·o·sta·tis·tics n. The science of statistics applied to the analysis of biological or medical data. , is steadily carving out a place in the nearly $650 billion global pharmaceutical market. Revenues in 2007 were $3.2 million. With a current staff of 61 handling various clinical trails, Brown, 44, anticipates 2008 to be an even bigger year for her enterprise, projecting $7 million by year-end. The company's clients include Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson, among others. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spectra L.L.C. TYPE OF BUSINESS Automotive manufacturing and engineering CO-CHAIRMAN/CO-FOUNDERS Michael & Carlton Guthrie LOCATION Detroit www.detroitchassis.com Brothers Carlton and Michael Guthrie are the consummate serial entrepreneurs. The two once headed Trumark Inc., a Lansing, Michigan-based metal stamping company that once ranked among the BE 100s. That company was sold in 2001. Now, the duo is poised to re-enter re·en·ter also re-en·ter v. re·en·tered, re·en·ter·ing, re·en·ters v.tr. 1. To enter or come in to again. 2. To record again on a list or ledger. v.intr. the list with another company. Spectra L.L.C., a holding company formed in 2002, assembles and modifies motor home chassis, other recreational vehicles, and hybrid and electric vehicles for automakers including Ford and Mercedes-Benz. One operating company operating company A business that engages in transactions with outsiders. performs process engineering (streamlining assembly lines) for clients such as Procter & Gamble. The company reported revenues of roughly $20 million in 2007. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sundial sundial, instrument that indicates the time of day by the shadow, cast on a surface marked to show hours or fractions of hours, of an object on which the sun's rays fall. Group TYPE OF BUSINESS Fragrance and body products CEO/FOUNDER Richelieu Dennis PRESIDENT/COO Nyema Tubman PARTNER/CHIEF BRANDING OFFICER Emmet Dennis LOCATION Amityville, NY www.sundialbrands.com With more than 50 employees, Richelieu Dennis, Nyema Tubman, and Emmet Dennis have transformed Sundial into the go-to source for culturally authentic organic skin and haircare products, which they create, manufacture, and distribute. With more than 16 years in business, the $10 million enterprise sports a client list that includes some of the biggest names in retail such as Macy's, J.C. Penney, and Target. In 2000, they opened their flagship store, Nubian Heritage, in Brooklyn, New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , and later opened a second location in Harlem. Sundial also owns a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Amityville, New York Amityville is a village in Suffolk County, New York, in the United States. The area was first used by Huntington settlers in 1653 as a source of salt hay, and was incorporated as a village on March 3rd, 1894. [1] The population was 9,441 at the 2000 census. . Remembering their African roots, the entrepreneurs purchase raw materials directly from women cooperatives and farmers in Africa. BUSINESS INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES This award recognizes companies that have set trends and broken new ground in a particular industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inspired By Nedia Group Inc. TYPE OF BUSINESS Faith-based products and services PRESIDENT/CEO Ron Belk LOCATION North Hollywood, CA www.inspiredby.com Ron Belk and his team oversaw an ambitious undertaking--making the Bible come alive. With the help of nearly 400 of the most celebrated black actors, actresses, musicians, media personalities, and clergy, Inspired By Media Group produced a fully dramatized audio recording of the Today's New International Version History of the English Bible Overview Old English translations Lindisfarne Gospels Middle English translations Wyclif's Bible Early Modern English translations Tyndale's Bible Coverdale's Bible Matthew's Bible Taverner's Bible Great Bible (TNTV TNTV Tentative ) of the Bible. Created in partnership with Zondervan Books, one of the biggest names in Christian publishing, Inspired By ... The Bible Experience offers listeners an eloquent, spiritual journey with the help of Denzel Washington Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. (born December 28, 1954) is a two-time Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and director. He has garnered much critical acclaim for his portrayals of several real-life figures, such as Steve Biko, Malcolm X, Rubin "Hurricane" , Angela Bassett, and Cuba Gooding Jr., among others, who lent their voices to the project. Besides offering both the Old and New Testaments on CDs, The Bible Experience is available in a MP3 version, on preloaded iPods or as a downloadable files. The 10-employee company saw sales of $12 million in 2007 and anticipates $18 million for 2008 from The Bible Experience alone, which is already the No. 1 selling audio Bible in history. Belk, 37, has plans to reach a wider audience in the years ahead by launching The Bible Experience in several forms including a collection of digitally animated stories, a video game, and a rendition of the project with notable Hispanic celebrities. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc. TYPE or BUSINESS Digital entertainment, media development and publishing PRESIDENT/CEO Jacqueline Beauchamp LOCATION Baton Rouge Baton Rouge (băt`ən r  zh) [Fr.,=red stick], city (1990 pop. 219,531), state capital and seat of East Baton Rouge parish, SE La. , LA
www.nerjyzed.com Thanks to Jacqueline Beauchamp's Nerjyzed Entertainment, eager fans don't have to wait for fall to enjoy the HBCU HBCU Historically Black Colleges and Universities football experience. Black College Football Xperience captures the heart of this culture with everything from action-packed football to high-stepping dram majors to soul-stirring band battles. Founded in 2003, Nerjyzed Entertainment publishes high-quality digital animation, video games See video game console. , and films for the urban market segment. Feeling a need to address the lack of video games featuring black colleges, Beauchamp, 45, and three colleagues raised the $8 million needed for startup capital to launch the company. The Black College Football Xperience enjoys considerable success in the home PC gaming sector. Revenues for 2007 were $2 million. Nerjyzed Entertainment is positioning Black College Football Xperience as a unique game on the market. Its subsidiaries include Nerjyzed Game Studios, Nerjyzed Film Studio, and N-ER-Sound Music Production. The company projects 2008 revenues surpass $10 million due to Beauchamp's opening up the playing field with not only the video game's system compatibility, but also other projects such as a documentary highlighting the legacy of HBCUs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Robin Wilson Robin Wilson is the name of:
TYPE OF BUSINESS Renovation, project management and design firm CEO/PRESIDENT Robin Wilson LOCATION New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. www.robinwilsonhome.com Design and lifestyle expert Robin Wilson is right at home within her industry, which is why she had no problem cleaning it up. Wilson revolutionized the design industry by implementing a more efficient process for homeowners. Launched in 2000, Robin Wilson Home, a New York City-based design firm, brings its efficiency expertise to clients through project management--the core of the company. Besides identifying overinflated estimates and holding contractors accountable, the firm works with the clients to pre-plan projects as well as uses a customized Web-based construction management software. With four full-time employees, Wilson aims for profits of more than $1 million by year-end. In addition, the 37-year-old also offers consumers The Nest Store (www.theneststore.com), an online marketplace offering eco-friendly and eco-healthy signature furniture pieces and home decor, made from a variety of materials including concrete, organic cotton, and mango wood. Though launched in January, the site already averages 9,000 hits per month. Wilson hopes to see the Nest Store's sales grow to at least $250,000 for its first year. RISING STAR AWARD NOMINEES This award recognizes individuals, ages 21-35 whose outstanding skills, professionalism, and perseverance have established them as future business leaders. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Artyce Designs TYPE OF BUSINESS Shoe manufacturer and distributor PRESIDENT/CEO Candra Palmer LOCATION LOS Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. www.artycedesigns.com All that glitters All That Glitters (shortened from "All that glitters is not gold", a famous misquotation from The Merchant of Venice, the original line being ) is the name of a number of different works:
By definition, then, a business that focuses on a niche market is addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers. of customized women's shoes and offering women the ultimate say in what goes on their feet. The unique experience allow clients the opportunity to "build" their shoes, selecting height, material, embellishments, and comfort. Sizes range from 6 to 13 and custom tailoring is provided to ensure a perfect fit. Chicago native Candra Palmer founded Artyce in 2002 and since then, the three-employee company has seen steady growth. In 2007, revenues reached $350,000. Palmer projects that revenues for 2008 will near the $500,000 mark as the company gains more media exposure and, ultimately, additional clients and partnerships. The company has partnerships with area hotels to offer Artyce Designs' "bridal shower A bridal shower is a gift giving party given for a bride before her wedding. The custom originated in the United States, although the first stories about these events have been known to originate in Brussels, Belgium around 1860. It remains a primarily US and Canadian practice. shoe party package" among their event hosting menus. With plans to launch franchise stores around the country, Palmer is proving her mettle met·tle n. 1. Courage and fortitude; spirit: troops who showed their mettle in combat. 2. Inherent quality of character and temperament. as both a designer and entrepreneur-taking this niche market over one step at a time. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lucid Enterprises L.L.C. TYPE OF BUSIINESS Beverage manufacturer & distributor PRESIDENT Derek Halliman LOCATION Atlanta www.misth2o.com Though it isn't the fountain of youth Fountain of Youth legendary fountain of eternal youth. [World Legend: Brewer Dictionary, 432] See : Unattainability , Mist H20 is definitely a refreshing new venture. A product of Lucid Enterprises L.L.C., which manufactures bottled water for private companies as well as residential and retail markets, Mist H20 is bottled spring water harvested from Tennessee's English Mountain Springs. Founded by 34-year-old Derick Halliman in 1997, the company's revenues in 2007 were $820,000. Halliman ensures that Mist H20 stands out from the competition by focusing not only on taste, but on appearance. Designed by Halliman himself, the bottle is a sleek casing of heavy-grade, European glass. This year, Mist H20 Premium Spring Water was awarded a gold medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize in the People's Choice for Package Design category at the 18th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting event. The company anticipates surpassing the million-dollar mark in 2008, with projections of $1.4 million by year-end. Lucid Enterprises' latest product is Blast 2 Fitness Water, which is scheduled to launch in this year. Though the company began by selling five-gallon water bottles and filtration systems, Lucid is striking out on its own to make itself a quenching quenching Rapid cooling, as by immersion in oil or water, of a metal object from the high temperature at which it is shaped. Quenching is usually done to maintain mechanical properties that would be lost with slow cooling. distinction in the beverage market. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Snobby snob n. 1. One who tends to patronize, rebuff, or ignore people regarded as social inferiors and imitate, admire, or seek association with people regarded as social superiors. 2. Productions TYPE OF Business Interior design PRESIDENT/CEO Kelly Pryor PRESIDENT/CEO Mila Santiago Jones LOCATION Altadena, CA www.snobbyproductions.com According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Kelly Pryor and Mila Santiago Jones, it's OK to be a bit of a snob. The duds Altadena, California-based interior design firm, Snobby Productions, offers the everyday professional sophisticated style at reasonable rates. The company, launched in 2005, maintains a chic and diverse clientele and handles projects of varying tastes and budgets. Notable clientele include NFL NFL abbr. National Football League NFL (US) n abbr (= National Football League) → Fußball-Nationalliga star Chris McAllister Chris McAllister (born June 16, 1975 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Kalamazoo Wings in the International Hockey League and formerly played in the National Hockey League. and former Spice Girl Mel B., among others. Overseeing everything from idea to implementation, Santiago Jones, 28, and Pryor, 27, take on interior and exterior painting, flooring, remodeling remodeling /re·mod·el·ing/ (re-mod´el-ing) reorganization or renovation of an old structure. bone remodeling , and design. While revenues in 2006 stood solid at $200,000, year-end 2007 proved to be even better, with revenues of more than $600,000. The two keep overhead low by advocating for the best prices for their clients as well as being unafraid to roll up their sleeves and work alongside contractors. They anticipate surpassing $800,000 in 2008 because of such ventures as the launch of their own decorative, custom pillow line. In 2007, Snobby Productions was selected as one of the best interior design firms in Los Angeles by online directory Citysearch. TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES This award recognizes entrepreneurs age 18 and under who serve as role models and are committed to advancing the rich tradition of black business achievement. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lizzy's Lines TYPE OF BUSINESS Greeting Cards See e-card. CEO/PRESIDENT Sara "Lizzy B" Solomon LOCATION Nashville Sara "Lizzy B" Solomon is on a mission to help others. Her company, Lizzy's Lines, makes greeting, note cards, and calendars that depict children with special needs living life to the fullest. The 14-year-old, who has cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , knows the importance of seeing positive images of people just like her. Since starting Lizzy's Lines in 2004 with the help of her mother, sister, and friends, the young advocate's labor of love has seen steady growth. Revenues in 2007 were $1,800 and projected earnings for 2008 are $2,000. Local educational/training facilities and supply companies focusing on those with special needs are among Lizzy's Lines' clients. Solomon's products, which she conceptualizes herself and designs with the help of an artist, depict kids and teens playfully interacting with others in everyday activities. Shopping, going to the movies, and enjoying birthday parties, these are just some of the scenes Solomon portrays in her product line, proving that kids with special needs are more alike than different. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Passive Devices TYPE OF BUSINESS Technology CEO/PRESIDENT Krystyn Heath LOCATION Fremont, CA www.snooplunes.com Kristyn Heath is all about sharing. With funding from her father, the 17-year-old created NoeStringAttached, a portable music-sharing device. Attachable to any music source using frequency modulation frequency modulation: see modulation; radio. (1) An earlier magnetic disk encoding method that places clock bits onto the medium along with the data bits. It was superseded by MFM and RLL. (FM), the device allows users to transmit and receive music wirelessly within a 10- to 40-foot radius. NoeStringAttached also allows users to listen to music stored on their portable players from a car stereo system. The teen's Fremont, California-based company, Passive Devices, originated in 2006 and distributes the product under the brand SnoopTunes, meaning users can "snoop" in on peers' "tunes." The company's revenues for 2007 were $30,000, and Heath expects 2008 revenues to near $100,000. Heath works directly with engineers regarding product development and features. Heath has been a Gift Scout for six years, and the Girl Scouts Girl Scouts, recreational and service organization founded (1912) in Savannah, Ga., by Mrs. Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927). It was originally modeled after the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, organizations created in Great Britain by Sir Robert Baden-Powell during Heart of Central California Central California can refer to one of several divisions or regions of the U.S state of California:
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rizon Esthetics esthetics: see aesthetics. TYPE OF BUSINESS Clothing CEO/PRESIDENT Derron O. Scott Jr. LOCATION Upper Marlboro Upper Marlboro may refer to:
www.RizonEsthetics.com Derron O. Scott Jr. is a walking billboard, showcasing the clothes that have taken him from high schooler to entrepreneur. The 17-year-old's company, Rizon Esthetics, offers clothing and shoes geared toward what Scott calls the "young urban trendsetters." Founded with the help of his mother in 2004, Scott designs apparel (shirts, shoes, and hats) using a fusion of colorful freestyle art and screen-print designs. Scott's mother serves as manager, but he also has an event coordinator, a business coach, as well as creative and marketing teams. In addition to developing new products, Scott meets with store owners, handles bookkeeping bookkeeping, maintenance of systematic and convenient records of money transactions in order to show the condition of a business enterprise. The essential purpose of bookkeeping is to reveal the amounts and sources of the losses and profits for any given period. , and updates the company's blog. For 2008, the five-employee company is already poised to surpass 200Ts revenues of $23,000. Scott uses MySpace and YouTube to help promote his apparel, and says the business generates about $5,000 per month in revenues. He recycles much of those funds back into the business, he says, with the production of his collections, and an e-commerce site. In selecting the award nominees, a committee of BLACK ENTERPRISE editors and conference coordinators pored over hundreds of business plans and nomination forms. Once preliminary nominees were selected. BE's research department conducted further due diligence Research; analysis; your homework. This term has caught on in all industries, because it sounds so "wired." Who would want to do analysis or research when they can do due diligence. See wired. to determine the strongest candidates For information on the 2009 Small Business Awards or to nominate a business or entrepreneur, go to www.blackenterprise.com. EDITED BY TENNILLE M. ROBINSON : ROBINSON@BLACKENTERPRISE.COMM |
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