Few small business owners managed to exceed expectations during the recession and subsequent recovery this past year. Of the intrepid group who did, we’ve chosen our 2010 Small Business Award nominees. Now we need your help in determining the winners. Visit BlackEnterprise.com to vote for the companies you think most deserve the recognition. Online votes will contribute to a portion of the scoring; final selections will be made by the editorial committee of Black Enterprise. Exemplifying entrepreneurs who demonstrate viability regardless of circumstance, the winners will be announced at the 15th annual Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, May 16—18 in Atlanta.
–Tennille M. Robinson
TEENPRENEUR AWARD NOMINEES
This award recognizes a young entrepreneur or group, age 19 or younger,
committed to advancing the rich tradition of black business achievement.
Amiya’s Mobile Dance Academy
Type of business: Mobile dance studio for children
Founder/CEO: Amiya Alexander
Revenues: $10,000
Location: Detroit
www.amiyasdancebus.com
School Me Clothing
Type of business: Apparel
Founder/CEO: Tevyn Cole
Revenues: $1,700
Location: Maybee, MI
www.schoolmeclothing.com
Crumbs by Gabrielle
Type of business: Baked goods
Founder/CEO: Gabrielle McBay
Revenues: $5,000
Location: DeSoto, TX
www.crumbsbygabrielle.com
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
This award is given to a business flourishing in an innovative industry or those approaching business or entrepreneurship in a groundbreaking manner via their products and/or services.
EyeMail Inc.
Type of business: Electronic marketing and communications
Founder/CEO: Lisa S. Jones
Location: Atlanta
www.eyemailinc.com
Jones, 42, develops customized marketing strategies and campaigns that deliver audio and video content via e-mail. Started in 2007, EyeMail Inc. has developed strategies for clients such as The Coca-Cola Co., Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and Turner Broadcasting System Inc. EyeMail Inc. posted revenues of $300,000 in 2009; this year revenues are projected to exceed $1 million.
Animus Solutions Inc.
Type of business: Management and IT
Founder/CEO: Phara McLachlan
Location: Tampa, FL
www.animussolutions.com
Launched in July 2004, Animus Solutions Inc. provides best practices consulting and implementation services to accomplish information technology asset management, software license compliance, IT infrastructure, and library-based IT security and services management goals. Clients include a division of ATK and Quest Diagnostics Inc. McLachlan, 33, grew her 10-person business to generate revenues of nearly $1 million in 2009.
CyberSynchs L.L.C.
Type of business: Phone data backup and recovery
Founder/CEO: Amos Winbush III
Location: New York
www.cybersynchs.com
Winbush, 27, offers software that provides backup and synchronization of mobile devices. Currently supporting 98% of all mobile devices, its users are expected to number 12 million-plus by year-end. Last year CyberSynchs posted revenues of $2 million; Winbush projects 2010 revenues will exceed $4 million because of partnerships with Sun Microsystems, Samsung, and Microsoft BizSpark.