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Carolyn M. Brown

Vote Now: Small Business Awards 2012 Nominees

There is no one given industry or type of business that will render any entrepreneur riches beyond his or her wildest dreams. However, there are niches to be found throughout any market and during any cycle of the economy. The annual Black Enterprise Small Business Awards recognize those entrepreneurs who have found their niche, possessing the right strategy and skill to eventually grow their small enterprises into sizable entities within their industries. The winners of the 2012 Small Business Awards will be announced at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide, May 23 to 26 in Chicago.

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This year we broadened our Innovator of the Year criteria to include early stage emerging companies that have been in business at least two years and have at least $250,000 in revenues. Our nominees run the gamut from entrepreneurs who are high-tech innovators to those running age-old businesses with a modern twist to entrepreneurs with socially conscious enterprises.

In preparation for the Small Business Awards, BlackEnterprise.com is giving you the chance to weigh in on this fierce competition by voting online for who should win in each of the four categories (Innovator of the Year, Family Business of the Year, BE Next Award and Teenpreneur Award). Scroll through the next few pages to see who our 2012 nominees are and cast your ballot to decide who the People’s Choice winners are. Your choices will be celebrated at the Black Enterprise Small Business Awards Luncheon hosted by Ariel Investments on May 24 at the Hilton Chicago. The power is in your hands. –Carolyn M. Brown

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INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES

This award is given to the business flourishing in an innovative industry or approaching entrepreneurship in a groundbreaking manner via its products or services.

  • Angel 7 Industries L.L.C.
  • Director: Kerry S. Harris
  • Location: San Antonio
  • Type of Business: Research and Development for Military and Consumer Products

Former U.S. Navy pilot and Marine Corps officer Kerry S. Harris has been responsible for the innovation of numerous “game changing” technologies for both civilian and military markets since 2005. His latest venture, Angel 7 Industries, is a holding company and high-tech think tank specializing in the design and manufacture of combat helmets, optical systems, and tactical equipment for soldiers and law enforcement officials. Revenues reached $2.5 million in 2011.

It was after his 21st birthday that Bryan Young launched Business Empire Magazine, which has since become Business Empire Consulting (BEC), a full-service interactive marketing agency. Young, now age 25, bootstrapped the business with co-founders Brandon Blair, 24, and Matthew Laster, 24, while the trio was attending North Carolina State University. BEC offers search, social media, mobile marketing, Web video, and brand management. Clients include Clinique and the Charlotte Douglass International Airport. Revenues climbed above $500,000 in 2011.

  • StreamVenue L.L.C.
  • Co-Founder/CEO: Clayton Redmon
  • Location: Dallas
  • Type of Business: Endoscopy Technology

Clayton Redmon fosters innovation in endoscopy technology through StreamVenue Healthcare and its main products StreamingOR, software and instrumentation that allow for real-time broadcasts of high-definition surgical video, and EndoCloud, which is a long-term archive of surgical footage. Live streaming video during medical procedures is a valuable tool for athletic trainers, surgeons, and physical therapists seeking to view cases and discuss how best to manage post-operative recovery. StreamVenue generated a total of $1.5 million in 2011.

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FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES

This award is presented to a family-operated business that exemplifies the combined experience and expertise needed to excel in a key industry.

  • Dental Kidz L.L.C.
  • Co-Founders: Christopher and Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell
  • Location: Newark, NJ
  • Type of Business: Pediatric Dental Care Facility

Christopher Harvell and his wife, Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell, melded their expertise in business and in medicine to form a lucrative yet socially conscious enterprise. In 2008, the couple founded Dental Kidz, which follows a business model that accepts payment for services with a state-subsidized healthcare plan or Medicaid, the federally and state-funded health insurance program. In 2009, the couple opened a newly constructed 8,000-square-foot pediatric facility equipped with digital X-rays. Dental Kidz generated revenues of $476,000 in 2009, topping $1.6 million in 2011.

  • Lefty’s Spices L.L.C.
  • Founder/CEO: Walter Nash Jr.
  • Location: Waldorf, MD
  • Type of Business: Sauces and Seasonings Manufacturer

Capitalizing on a family recipe, Walter Nash Jr. formed Lefty’s Spices in 2006, which manufactures barbecue sauces, rubbed meats, dry spices, and fish and chicken seasonings for distribution. He co-owns the business

with Walter Nash Sr., Margaret Nash (mother), and LaTanya Nash (sister). Nash has grown the company by solidifying personal relationships and partnerships with food service distributors, including the U.S. Armed Forces, wholesale distributors such as SUPERVALU Inc., major corporations such as Sam’s Club, and retailers such as Lowe’s Food Stores Inc. Lefty’s Spices grossed $459,602 in revenues for 2010 and hit $678,000 in 2011.

Tillage Construction has evolved from Ken Tillage’s hobby of making cabinets for the residential market 20 years ago into a full-service commercial construction company. After leaving corporate America, Keith teamed up with his father in 2000 to form Tillage Construction, a general contracting business specializing in design build, renovation, new construction, and demolition for the government and the private sector. Tillage grew revenues 285% from $2 million in 2007 to $7.7 million in 2010. Revenues for 2011 topped $18.3 million.

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BE NEXT AWARD NOMINEES

This award is presented to the fearless young entrepreneur age 21 to 35 tapped to be a future business leader.

  • DIOSCURI L.L.C.
  • Co-Founders/CEOs: Teman and Teran Evans (32)
  • Location: New York City
  • Type of Business: Interior and Jewelry Design; Brand Consulting

In 2004, twin designers Teman and Teran Evans launched their company, DIOSCURI, the name given to identical twins of Greek mythology. They carved their niche with a collection of high-gloss colorful wooden bracelets that made Oprah’s list of favorite things and gained placement in 200 stores worldwide. DIOSCURI has evolved into a brand consulting firm for design players such as David Rockwell, television networks such as HGTV, and clients such as Starbucks. The 32-year-old brothers did roughly $750,000 in revenues in 2011 and project $1 million for 2012.

  • GreenHouse Eco-Cleaning L.L.C.
  • CEO: Saudia Davis  (33)
  • Location: New York City
  • Type of Business: Organic Residential and Commercial Cleaning Service

Saudia Davis was inspired to open an eco-friendly cleaning company after her grandmother died in 2006 of cancer, which may have been triggered by prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals while she was a cleaner for medical facilities. Through her acceptance in

to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, 33-year-old Davis received targeted business education, mentorship, networking opportunities,  and access to financing through Seedco Financial. Davis has grown her company’s revenues from $256,000 in 2010 to $375,000 in 2011, and projects nearly doubling revenues to $600,000 in 2012.

Shaun C. Robinson launched the business six years ago while working out of his off-campus apartment while studying at the University of South Florida. His firm employs only students from local colleges and universities to move both businesses and families across the country. The 29-year-old entrepreneur provides warehousing, storage, deliveries, and junk removal in addition to his core moving business and moving supplies. Robinson is looking to turn the company, which generated revenues exceeding $325,000 in 2011, into a national brand.

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TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES

This award recognizes entrepreneurs, age 19 or under, committed to the tradition of black business achievement.

At age 8, Amber Liggett received a balloon kit as a gift. She became fascinated with the various techniques for creating colorful balloon shapes and animals. The 16-year-old now has a thriving business providing balloon creations, storytelling, face painting, spin art, sand art, cotton candy, and soon temporary gel tattoos. Liggett even provides “balloons to go,” which are custom decorations pre-made and sold as takeout orders. Her revenues topped $5,500 in 2011. The philanthropic teen also does fundraising for organizations.

  • Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery
  • President/CEO: Nia Froome (19)
  • Location: Valley Stream, NY
  • Type of Business: Vegan/Organic Cookies and Cupcakes

Nia Froome was determined to make vegan food accessible and delicious, inspired by her mother who gave up meat after a breast cancer diagnosis 12 years ago. The teen amateur baker and cook began altering cookie recipes and borrowed the catchy name of the musical Mamma Mia to inspire her company’s name. Today, the 19-year-old’s Mamma Nia’s Vegan Bakery specializes in cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cupcakes–all made without eggs or milk. Revenues for 2011 hit $7,000.

  • Weeds & Moore
  • President/CEO: Jordan Anderson (18)
  • Location: Dallas
  • Type of Business: Lawn Care Services

Jordan Anderson began mowing lawns at age 8 to buy a pair of Nike Air Jordan

sneakers. Today the 18-year-old is president and CEO of Weeds & Moore, a neighborhood lawn care company with 100 customers and growing. Anderson recently added an eco-friendly focus and two employees. Weeds & Moore raked in 2010 sales of about $3,600 and $7,500 for 2011, with profits going toward Anderson’s college savings. He is training another teen to take over his business and plans to start another landscaping company.

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Small business is BIG BUSINESS at the 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide, May 23-26, at the Hilton Chicago Hotel in Chicago, IL. Expect innovative sessions, high-powered speakers, and an early peek at the products, trends, and services you’ll need to stay ahead of the curve. To register and find out more, visit www.blackenterprise.com/ec/

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