NFIB Announces Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Dan Danner Leadership Award Winners
Washington, DC– The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Young Entrepreneur Foundation announced Sharon Lin of Corona, NY, and Sophie Eubanks, of Raleigh, NC, as the winners of the 2017 NFIB Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Dan Danner Leadership Award, respectively, at an event today in Washington, D.C.
Sharon Lin and Sophie Eubanks each received a $15,000 scholarship, as the top two winners of the 15th annual NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards. The scholarship program is designed to reward and encourage entrepreneurial talents among high school students who own and operate their own small business.
“This year’s NFIB Young Entrepreneur award winners grew their entrepreneurial visions into thriving businesses that not only fulfill a gap in the marketplace, but give back to their communities in an extraordinary way,” said Molly Young, Director of the Young Entrepreneur Foundation. “NFIB is pleased to reward these ambitious and generous young entrepreneurs with scholarships to support and encourage their hard work and innovative accomplishments.
Three other finalists for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Dan Danner Leadership Award each received a $5,000 scholarship today. Additionally, thanks to NFIB members and other small business supporters, 95 other high school seniors were awarded Young Entrepreneur Award scholarships for $2,000 earlier this year.
Descriptions of Sharon Lin and Sophie Eubanks’ businesses are below.
Sharon Lin, of Corona, New York, is the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner. Sharon is the founder and CEO of Codeco, a software development and consulting company that works primarily with youth-oriented startups and businesses, as well as pro bono with non-profit organizations in developing websites and mobile applications. In addition, Sharon’s company works with media-based companies on social media strategy and increasing outreach and marketing viability through grassroots and user-based interactions.
Sophie Eubanks, of Raleigh, North Carolina, is the Dan Danner Leadership Award winner. Sophie is the co-founder of PinkyGirl, a web based monogrammed apparel company. Sophie and her sister have grown the business from a basement hobby, monogramming items for their friends, to an international company with a facility and full time employee. PinkyGirl also donates a percentage of all sales to Susan G Komen and developed a line of “CURE” themed clothing, which is donated to cancer patients.
For more information and a full list of this year’s winners, please visit https://www.nfib.com/2017yea/.
***MEDIA AVAILABILITY***
If you are interested in interviewing Sharon Lin or Sophie Eubanks about their small businesses, please contact Molly Young, Director of the Young Entrepreneur Foundation ([email protected] / 202-314-2042).
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