When it comes to awards, people who start and grow their own businesses are often overlooked. A Tallahassee new business incubator now aims to change that.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says only half of all American startups will live to see their 5th birthday. Sabrina Torres, director of community for the Domi Station business incubator, said her organization is in the happy half.
“Domi Station itself, we ARE a startup that helps startups,” she acknowledged. “So for us to celebrate fiveyears was incredible and we are very excited and grateful that we made it to five!”
But just as - if not more - remarkable, says Torres, are the other success stories Domi has helped make possible.
“Through these past five years we have worked with countless entrepreneurs who have started multiple different businesses and we have known them from the moment they started with an idea that didn’t work to now having a successful business in Tallahassee.”
So, to celebrate it all, Torres announced local entrepreneurs will be honored with the first-ever Domi Entrepreneur Awards. She said there are five categories.
“We have a category in ‘Community,’” she began. “This is an entrepreneur that throughout one business or many businesses that they have had in their lifetime has always had a focus on supporting their community; that has always been a cornerstone of everything that they do.”
There's a category called "Sustainability.”
“That’s a person who through their one or multiple businesses has always thought about their global impact. How is this not only impacting the environment, but also their near neighbors, neighbors across the globe and the impact on the ecosystem as a whole.”
Another award recognizes an outstanding "Influencer" whose enterprise inspires and transforms.
“Then we go into ‘Innovation,’” said Torres citing the fourth award category. “These are the dreamers, our big-picture guys. That individual you know is always having that great idea that works and is always trying to change the world.”
And Torres said the fifth and final category applauds "Resilience;" otherwise known as "stick-to-it-iveness.”
“We all know someone who has been working tirelessly to craft and fine-tune their business to better serve their customers.”
All the community at large has to do, instructed Torres, is to submit the name or names of local entrepreneurs in the appropriate categories.
“We are taking all nominations that come in until next Wednesday, August 21st. That’s the last day that anyone can nominate an entrepreneur.”
More on how to do that in a moment. Torres said the Domi board has the tough job of picking the winners, which will be announced at a gala next month at the Railroad Square Craft House.
“On September 12 we will have the awards ceremony,” she explained. “That will be the big party and event where we will celebrate our five years by recognizing the five awards in the various categories. There will be food, drinks, a startup showcase where you can meet five companies we have worked with through the five years. There will be gifts and that’s when we’ll announce the winners in each of the categories.”
But time's running out to nominate your favorite entrepreneurs.
“If you go to: www.domistation.com you’ll see a section for the Domi Awards, information on tickets if you just want to attend the event, how to nominate an entrepreneur, all the rules and structure on how the awards are being run.”
Who says do-it-yourself business folks are unappreciated?
