CWCC ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award Nomination Instructions

“Women are starting an average of 1,200 businesses a day - up from 740 a day the year prior. The growth of women-owned firms continues to outpace the national average, plus they now lead growth in eight of the top 13 industries.” American Express OPEN Forum research "Women's empowerment will be front and center in 2015 as more companies and communities invest in women's entrepreneurship -- and as women continue to invest in themselves." The Huffington Post

The CWCC ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award recognizes the efforts of an outstanding Colorado female business owner who embodies the true entrepreneurial spirit of passion, expertise, determination, agility, courage, and commitment; and has demonstrated those abilities through successfully owning and operating her own business in Colorado for at least five years. This award shines a light on, and celebrates, the rapidly growing number of women business owners and their contributions to the Denver business market while impacting the community and serving as a role model for other women. She possesses a positive reputation and also works to improve the quality of life of others through community service.

THE CRITERIA The ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award nominees must meet each of the following criteria:  Must be a woman who is the founder, owner, and current operator of a business (does not have to be WBE certified. Includes businesses offering products or services, and may be either a physical or virtual location).  Business must be registered with the state of Colorado for at least five years.  Business can have up to 10 employees, including subcontractors, vendors, and/or others working on behalf of the business.  Owner must be a Colorado resident.  Owner does not have to be a CWCC member.  Owner must support and promote the success of other women through contracts, strategic partnerships, clientele, or community service.  Owner must be involved in community service, whether pro bono work, volunteering, faithbased or other personal and/or professional causes.

COMPLETING THE FORM    

Nominations for the ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award by using this nomination form. Limit your nomination to four pages. (Does not include contact information page, nor the letters of recommendation.) Include two letters of recommendation. The information submitted should support the award criteria.



Please include a one page biography and a headshot.

THE PROCESS A Selection Committee consisting of a diverse group of leaders from the community will review all nomination forms and select the ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award Recipient. The ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Award Recipient will be announced: October 7, 2015 at CWCC’s Annual Awards Luncheon. Return Completed Form to: Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Attn: Hilary Engelhart, Events Manager 1350 Seventeenth St., Suite 100 Denver, CO 80202 [email protected] | 303-458-0220 phone | 303-458-0222 fax Applications are due July 16, 2015 by 5 PM.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form CONTACT INFORMATION Date: _____________________________________ NOMINEE Company Name: ____________________________________________________ Company Size: ______________________________________________________ Company Address: __________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________________________ State/Province: __________________________________________________ Zip/Postal Code: ____________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________________ Contact Person: _____________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________________

NOMINATOR Name: _____________________________________________________________ Company/Organization Name: _________________________________________ Business Address: ___________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________________________________ State: _____________________________________________________________ Zip: _______________________________________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________________________________

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form I. HOW DOES THIS WOMAN DEMONSTRATE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AND LEADERSHIP? Provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence and possesses leadership qualities, resiliency, creativity, and other admirable qualities both as a business owner and as an individual.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form II. HOW DOES THIS WOMAN DISTINGUISH HERSELF AND HER BUSINESS FROM OTHERS? Provide specific examples of how the nominee has uniquely positioned her business in the marketplace, assisted women in reaching their full potential, and/or demonstrated support for other women in the community.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form III. COMMUNITY SERVICE List local, state, national and international-level participation. Include length of service and offices held in civic and service organizations such as charitable activities, political pursuits, religious groups, chambers of commerce, merchants’ associations, etc.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Nomination Form IV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO CRITERIA Include any additional information that you feel is important for consideration. List awards, honors, publications or articles supporting service to their profession, industry or community.