There is no business environment better than our Southwest business environment — with a large portion of the credit going to our entrepreneurs. During good times as well as challenging times, entrepreneurs seize opportunities and grow with incredible speed. They quickly enter the ranks of the world’s largest corporations and create jobs, growth and investment in our great Southwest states.
Progress seems to begin with an entrepreneur, whether it’s coming up with an innovative business idea, creating new jobs or setting new trends. Just about every company throughout history — even the global giants — can trace its history back to an entrepreneur.
At Ernst & Young, we believe in the power of entrepreneurship. We know that the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award winners are best in class — and we’re proud to honor their success.
We’re committed to helping these growing companies stay ahead of the competition and become true market leaders. The Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards honor the men and women who are building market-leading companies that are among the most influential and recognizable in the business world. Some great examples are Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google Inc. and Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee, to name a few.
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® awards program is now the largest gathering of entrepreneurs in America. And, for 24 years, the program has continued to grow exponentially. All of this year’s regional award winners will move on to the national awards to be presented at the Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, Calif., in November. The forum is the country’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies. According to Forbes, it is one of seven “get-ahead executive retreats.” With more than 100 speakers and more than 30 content-rich learning sessions, participants discover how the most successful companies meet today’s rising performance standards. One overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year will represent the United States at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year program to be held in Monte Carlo next spring. The winner will be judged alongside his or her counterparts from 50 other countries for what has become the World’s Business Award.
On behalf of everyone at Ernst & Young, we would like to congratulate each of the 2010 finalists and award recipients. Thanks to you, the spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well.
Debra von Storch is a partner with Ernst & Young LLP and director of the Southwest Area – North Entrepreneur Of The Year Program. Reach her at www.ey.com.
