Every business venture starts with an idea. But the true testament of entrepreneurship is cultivating ideas into action. Now in its 14th year, the Black Enterprise Small Business Awards highlight entrepreneurs who demonstrate the tenacity and creative thinking that's needed to thrive in the midst of entrepreneurial uncertainty. The winners of the 2009 Small Business Awards will be announced at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by General Motors and ExxonMobil, May 17—20 in Detroit. Following are the finalists of our annual Small Business Awards: TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES This award recognizes a young entrepreneur or group, age 19 or younger, committed to advancing at a young age the rich tradition of black business achievement. Buttons By Jordan Type of business: Promotional buttons and badges Founder/CEO: Jordan Culpepper, 13 Revenues: $7,000 Location: Hazel Crest, IL www.buttonsbyjordan.com Tutu Luv Me Collection Type of business: Jewelry, fashion accessories, girls' apparel Founder: Dasia Aigner Dawson, 11 Revenues: $10,000 Location: Rancocas, NJ www.tutuluvme.com AJ's Hawaiian Iceez Type of business: Flavored shaved ice desserts Co-founder/CEO: Adam Holland, 13 Co-founder/COO: Jonathan Holland, 12 Revenues: $11,000 Location: Brandywine, MD www.ajsiceez.com INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES This award is given to the business flourishing in an innovative industry or approaching business/entrepreneurship in a groundbreaking manner via their products and/or services. iWave Technologies L.L.C. dba iCubed International L.L.C. Type of business: Manufacturer of portable appliances Founder/Managing Member: Phil Davis Location: Cleveland www.iwavecube.com Phil Davis' flagship product is the iWavecube ($149.95), a miniature microwave weighing only 12 pounds. Last year's revenues exceeded $100,000. Davis owns the patents on the iWavecube in both the U.S. and China. Next to launch in fall 2009 is a portable toaster (iToastcube) as well as a refrigerator (iFridgecube). Group4 Labs Inc. Type of business: Develops diamond-based semiconductors for highly energy-efficient micro-electronics Co-Founder/CEO: Felix Ejeckam Location: Menlo Park, CA www.group4labs.com Launched in 2003, Group4 Labs produces the world's first diamond-based semiconductors for use in wireless, GPS satellites, and more. Its patented technology–Gallium Nitride-on-Diamond–enables 10-times more energy-efficiency than its competitors. The 12-employee firm realized $1.25 million in 2008 revenues. Clients include NASA and the Dept. of Defense. Rainey Compression Essentials Type of business: Designer, manufacturer, and distributor of post-operative garments President/CEO: Russell Rainey Location: Atlanta www.raineywear.com Rainey Compression Essentials earns revenues of $1.1 million as a provider of post-operative garments for the plastic surgery industry. Looking beyond U.S. borders, the company is taking advantage of the booming plastic surgery market in the Caribbean. B.E. NEXT AWARD NOMINEES This award is presented to the fearless young entrepreneur age 21—35 tapped to be a future business leader. Baracka Wear Inc. Type of Business: Apparel Co-founder/CEO: Brandon Broussard Co-founder/COO: Lorielle Broussard Location: Los Angeles www.barackawear.com Siblings Brandon, 33, and Lorielle, 28, Broussard launched Baracka Wear Inc. in August 2007. Besides Obama paraphernalia, the company now offers a line of nonpolitical shirts, Yo-town, representing cities across the country and world. Baracka Wear generated $600,000 in 2008 and projects sales will reach $800,000 in 2009. Lorielle is preparing to launch her denim line later this year, while Brandon also oversees an Internet comedy show, Purple Stuff TV (www.youtube.com/purplestufftv). Elohim Cleaning Contractors Type of Business: Industrial and commercial construction site cleaning Founder/CEO: Sirena C. Moore Location: Bristol, PA www.elohimcleaningcontractors.com Launched in 2002, 27-year-old Sirena Moore's executive team includes her father and younger brother. The firm services clients in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Their steady performance can be partly attributed to the company's conscious decision to operate debt-free since its inception. Revenues for 2008 reached $2 million, and the company anticipates an increase to $4.4 million for 2009. Heritage Link Brands L.L.C. Type of business: Wine importer and distributor Co-founder/CEO: Selena Cuffe Co-founder/CFO: Khary Cuffe Location: Los Angeles www.heritagelinkbrands.com Launched in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Khary, 30, and Selena Cuffe, 33, Heritage Link Brands imports and distributes wines harvested by indigenous vintners throughout Africa and the African diaspora. In 2007, revenues were a modest $42,000, but by 2008 they had increased to $1.2 million thanks to deals with customers such as Whole Foods and Albertsons (SuperValu). SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR NOMINEES This award is presented to the small business owner whose efforts and/or entrepreneurial pursuits exemplify the passion and commitment needed to overcome adversity as well as attain success. Noble Strategy L.L.C. Type of business: Construction management and consulting President/CEO: William S. Parrish Jr. Location: South Orange, NJ www.noblestrategy.com With more than 20 years of construction experience, William S. Parrish Jr., 42, and his company, Noble Strategy, have provided construction management and consulting to municipalities, agencies, institutions, and corporations since 2002. With revenues at more than $2.3 million for 2008, the 28-employee firm projects 2009 revenues to increase about 30% because of several construction projects in the works, including one tied to the Freedom Tower project in New York City at One World Trade Center. The Phillips Co. Inc. Type of business: Machining, assembly, subassembly, warehousing, distribution Owner/CEO: Valerie Phillips Location: Columbus, IN www.thephillipscompany.com Ready to strike out on her own after 25 years in the engine manufacturing industry, Valerie Phillips, 50, purchased the company her dad, Sam, had started with a partner, and renamed it The Phillips Co. in 2006. By September 2007 the company acquired Maximum Spindle Utilization Inc., an established manufacturing facility in Edinburgh, Indiana. Revenues at the 25-person firm nearly tripled from $2.8 million in 2007 to approximately $6 million in 2008. The company manufactures products for diesel engines, small lawn equipment, semi trucks, and construction equipment. Buzz Marketing Group Type of business: Market research Founder/CEO: Tina Wells Location: Voorhees, NJ www.buzzmarketinggroup.com Buzz Marketing Group helps companies learn how to reach one of the few groups that still have disposable income–teens. And at the center of it all is 29-year-old Tina Wells. Since 1996, the Voorhees, NJ-based market research company focuses on the interests and needs of youth ages 6 to 24 and has assisted clients in crafting effective marketing strategies and campaigns related to beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and entertainment. With clients that include PBS and the Girl Scouts of the USA, revenues totaled $4 million in 2008. This month, the first installment of Wells' four-book deal with HarperCollins Children's Books introduces the world to Mackenzie Blue, a character Wells created. –Benice Atufunwa & Tennille M. Robinson