U.S. Chamber awards Blue Ribbon to three Tulsa companies
3.1.2011The U.S. Chamber will honor Tulsa-based Part-Time Pros, Eloté Café & Catering and The Persimmon Group with the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award at America’s Small Business Summit May 23-25 in Washington, D.C. Tulsa Metro Chamber nominated the three companies for the national award, and each has the opportunity to be selected as a finalist for America’s DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year. Seven DREAM BIG award finalists will be announced March 14, and the winner will be unveiled at the summit in May.
“It is an amazing honor for these three Tulsa jewels to receive national recognition for their achievements and shows the strength of our entrepreneurial community,” said Kinnee Tilly, vice president of business retention, expansion and small business for the Tulsa Metro Chamber.
To be eligible for the Blue Ribbon Award, businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and gross annual revenues of less than $20 million. Applicants for the award are judged on staff training, community involvement, customer service, business strategies and goals. The awards ceremony will take place during the Small Business Summit, a well-attended annual event featuring a guest list that often includes the president of the United States.
The Chamber encourages Tulsans to vote for one of Tulsa’s Blue Ribbon winners to receive the Community Excellence Award, which is selected by popular vote via the U.S. Chamber website. Voting takes place between March 1-11; the winner is announced at the summit.
About the honorees
Part-Time Pros, owned by Brett Baker and Carey Baker, a member of the Chamber’s Small Business Council, is a staffing company that connects degree-educated professionals with companies who have part-time and full-time staffing needs. Part-Time Pros is a 2009 Tulsa Spirit Awards recipient.
Eloté Café and Catering is a downtown Tulsa Mexican restaurant known for its sustainability practices, including using fresh, local ingredients, recycling fryer oil and composting produce remnants. Eloté is owned by Libby and Jeremy Auld.
The Persimmon Group, led by President and CEO Bill Fournet, is a management consulting firm that works with public and private sector organizations seeking a tailored approach to business growth and improvement opportunities. Fournet was the Chamber’s 2010 Small Business Person of the Year.
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