Distinguished Entrepreneur 2024
Nominate someone in your community today!
The Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards of SWFL are held annually during National Small Business Week to recognize southwest Florida’s small businesses for their innovation, advocacy and overall business excellence.
By aligning your brand with Distinguished Entrepreneur, your company is supporting and celebrating small businesses within the SWFL community. Your company’s visibility will be increased as people engage with the DE ceremony and the media content surrounding it. Distinguished Entrepreneur offers a unique platform for your organization to make a meaningful impact within the SWFL community while strengthening your brand reputation. Join the SBDC in celebrating the current and future business leaders of SWFL!
About the Awards
The Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards is a prestigious award ceremony that aims to celebrate the small business community of SWFL and the entrepreneurs who contribute to making it the thriving, collaborative, and innovative community it is. The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University hosts this high-profile event attended by over 150 reputable community leaders and business owners. This year will mark the 12th year of Distinguished Entrepreneur.
Distinguished Entrepreneur
Has been in business for three years or more.
Has a creative or necessary product or service.
Has demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in their industry.
Has demonstrated a unique capacity for innovation.
Servant Leader
Has established themselves as a mentor, and/or advocate for and in the SWFL Small Business Community.
Has community service embedded in their company’s core values and demonstrates these values regularly in the community.
Has been a trail-blazer in helping create a more collaborative, thriving, and charitable SWFL small business community.
Emerging Business
Has started business in the past three years and has experienced success with their product or service.
Has a unique mission and vision for their business that is designed to set them up for success in the future.
Has been started by an entrepreneur who has demonstrated resiliency and a unique capacity for leadership.
Nomination Deadline is February 14, 2025
Application Deadline is February 21, 2025
2024 Distinguished Entrepreneur Winners
Distinguished Entrepreneur
Deanna Wallin
Naples Soap Company
Emerging Business
Dr. Jennifer Cavanaugh
SmiLee Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
Servant Leader
Erika Donalds
OptimaEd
William O Webb
Custom Exteriors and Storm Protection
Distinguished Entrepreneur Sponsors
Hallmark Sponsor
2024 Distinguished Entrepreneur Gallery
