The Studer Community Institute hosted the EntreCon Awards on Friday, Nov. 11th at The Rex Theater in downtown Pensacola. The event celebrated the achievements and economic impact of Pensacola area leaders and businesses.
30 awards were handed out in 15 different categories. The categories aim to honor businesses at every stage in their life cycle, from start-ups to large corporations. SCI is especially focused on championing small businesses that are the real drivers of economic development.
The Rodney Jackson Minority-Owned Business of the Year award was renamed in honor of Mr. Jackson, SCI’s beloved Director of Business Engagement, who positively impacted so many minority businesses in Pensacola before his untimely passing early this year. With Mr. Jackson’s widow, Trish, in attendance, the award went to the Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce, who’s CEO Brian Wyer worked in conjunction with Jackson on numerous initiatives.
Other awards of note: Clark Partington Attorneys At Law and Office Pride were both winners for Employer of the Year. Tia Robbins earned Entrepreneur of the Year for efforts on her startup, Taste of Pensacola. Ryan and Alexis Ford took home Young Entrepreneur of the Year honors for their success with startup Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee. Emerging Business of the Year went to WolfGang, LLC, a dog event planner.
See the full list of awards and winners below.
EntreCon Awards come in advance of the 8th annual EntreCon (Nov. 16-17), SCI’s World-Class Business and Leadership Conference that brings high caliber speakers from all over the country to downtown Pensacola. For more information visit: https://entreconpensacola.com
Emerging Business of the Year: This award is open to businesses who started in the last two years and have had success introducing their product or service. Businesses recognized in this category are run by great leadership, show a promising vision for the future, and have created a mission statement that aligns with their core values.
Winner: WolfGang, LLC Runner Up: SCI Health Metrics
Micro-Business of the Year: This award is open to businesses who have less than ten employees and operate efficiently with a small team while positively impacting the local economy. Businesses considered for this award can clearly explain what makes their product or service unique, how they measure success and what opportunities they provide their employees.
Winner: Vivid Bridge Studios Winner: 3SIXTY Marketing
Small Business of the Year: This award is open to businesses that have less than 50 employees that focus on employee inclusion, community involvement, and innovation in their business practices. Businesses considered for this award can clearly explain what makes their product or service unique, how they measure success, and what opportunities they provide their employees.
Winner: Schmidt’s Music Runner up: InHer Physique
Medium/Large Business of the Year: This award is open to businesses that have more than 50 employees that have been able adaptable to change over the past year, have displayed economic growth, and provide opportunities for their employees to improve their skills in an ever-changing environment.
Winner: Bear General Contractors Runner up: Landrum HR
Employer of the Year: This award is for businesses with an outstanding and supportive work environment with a focus on great training programs, an understanding of work-life balance, and career progression. Employers recognized in this category inspire and motivate their growing, diverse staff with equal opportunity programs.
Winner: Clark Partington Attorneys at Law Winner: Office Pride
Entrepreneur of the Year: This award recognizes an entrepreneur over the age of 30 (see Young Entrepreneur Award) who has a creative product or service that solves a problem in the marketplace. They are highly ambitious, serve as community leaders, and work to improve the quality of life for others through either employment or serving others.
Winner: Tia Robbins Runner up: Tavaris Brooks
Non-Profit of the Year: This award recognizes a nonprofit organization that shows dedication for improving the quality of life in the community through volunteering, partnerships, or fundraising. Winners will be able to share how they have effectively used these skills to further their mission and improve the community.
Winner: Embrace Florida Kids Runner up: Food Raising Friends
Rodney Jackson Minority-Owned Business of the Year: This award recognizes a minority-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
Winner: Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce Runner up: InHer Physique
Female-Owned Business of the Year: This award recognizes a women-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
Winner: Starpoint Screening Runner up: Vivid Bridge
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: This award recognizes a veteran-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
Winner: Pensacola Air Flight School Runner up: UKnightedXP, Inc.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: This award recognizes a small business owner who has successfully launched and grown their business before the age of 30. This person demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit by applying business knowledge, growth potential and success in the operation of their business. They also prove to be a great example to other young individuals.
Winner: Ryan and Alexis Ford Runner up: Abraham Sculley
Fastest growing business of the year: NEW! This award will recognize an outstanding business that has grown quickly and serve as a prestigious opportunity to celebrate its talent and wisdom.
Pensacola is quickly becoming a leader in business and entrepreneurship, and we want to recognize leaders in the community for their business success.
Winner: Dominguez Design-Build
Excellence in mentorship award: This award recognizes a person who has dedicated themselves to helping others through mentoring. Their level of experience affords them the ability to have a significant impact on the professional development and career advancement of those they mentor.
Winner: Bob Hart Winner: Andrew Rothfeder
The John Myslak Award for Servant Leadership: This award is given to a leader who enriches the lives of others, builds better organizations, and ultimately helps create a more just and caring world. That is what our friend and colleague John Myslak did in our community, and we honor his memory by recognizing others who live their lives as fully as he did.
Winner: Marty Moore
Community Vibrancy Award: So many of our communities, organizations, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals are doing amazing things to create vibrancy. They have all shown us they are resourceful and creative as they work to make our communities better.
Winners: Will Dunaway, Krewe of SWAT, Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition, Chain Reaction