Excellence in Entrepreneurship Small Business Awards handed out virtually

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CommunityWorks and the Greenville Chamber hosted a virtual awards show celebrating Upstate small businesses this week to recognize winners of the annual Excellence in Entrepreneurship Small Business Awards.

Winners were announced through a news release:

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Ashley Moore, owner of Fringe Color Studio. The award is sponsored by Creative Builders and honors young business owners who combine their sense of community, today’s technology[KM1]  and innovative business models to create some of Greenville’s most unique small businesses.

The Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Cassy Electric LLC, and accepted by Chief Operating Officer Ebony Sullivan. Sponsored by NHE Inc., the award honors those who have a commitment to building communities as well as their businesses and strive to serve as leaders and visionaries to create change.

The Eugenia Duke Woman-Owned Business of the Year: Novus Advisors LLC. Sponsored by Duke Brands, the award was accepted by Jennifer Belshe, principal. The award is named for Eugenia Duke, founder of Duke’s Mayonnaise and Duke Foods, and is presented to small businesses owners who embody the legacy of female entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneurial Success Award: Think Up Consulting, founded by Ron Doney. Sponsored by Forum Benefits, the award is meant to recognize the power of small business to use innovation to create jobs and expand their business model.

The Small Business Champion Award: Village Launch, accepted by Jeanette Brewster, network and outreach coordinator. Sponsored by Greenville Technical College, the award was designed to recognize a business that fulfills a commitment to serve small businesses and entrepreneurs through innovative services and support.

The My Favorite Upstate Small Business: Bright & Co., accepted by founder and CEO Jennifer Sutton. Sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas, this is a people’s choice award that gives neighbors a chance to demonstrate their support of their favorite small business by voting for a business they believe should be recognized.

Joe Erwin, president of Erwin Creates and chairman and lead owner of Greenville Triumph SC, gave the keynote address. News personality Curtis Wilson was the emcee.