Jennifer Smurr, the model-turned-baker who founded the uber-popular Born & Bread Bakehouse, was honored Tuesday night as David Lyons Entrepreneur of the Year at Catapult Lakeland‘s first Lakeland Entrepreneur Awards.
The award was presented in front of 400 people attending a Lakeland Economic Development Council dinner at Haus 820. Other award winners were:
- People’s Choice: Berna and Erkan Nar of Cafe Zuppina
- Entrepreneur Champion: Cory Petcoff of Baron Realty
- Catapulter of the Year: David Young of Drone Launch Academy
Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist currently at Canva and previously at Apple, spoke about “The Art of the Start 2.0,” at the ceremony.
Among his messages: Get your organization’s reason for being down to two or three words and be specific about your market. Also: Get feedback about your ideas from women. Why? “Men want to kill things.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award is given to someone who “has been a member or is a current member of Catapult. They successfully manage a business while demonstrating a strong entrepreneurial mindset through their creative approaches, willingness to take risks, passion, and perseverance.”
Below are the other nominees in each category.
David Lyons Entrepreneur of the Year
- Chris McArthur of Black & Brew, Patriot Coffee and A Cow Named Moo
- Grant and Marissa Nieddu of State of the Spark
- Laura Helm of Ashton Events, Haus 820 and The Collective
- Robyn Wilson of The Poor Porker
People’s Choice
- Jenna Cherry of Twenty Seven
- Kirstin Czernek and Ruthie Tait of The Balance Culture
Entrepreneur Champion
- Andy McEntire of Indie Atlantic Films and Concord Coffee
- Dick Pellegrini of Pilgrim Associates
- Gregory Fancelli of Prestige Worldwide Group
- Nicole Travis of, city of Lakeland Community and Economic Development director
Catapulter of the Year
- Jonathan Sierra of Sierra Creative
- Jordan Arbuckle of Smart Inbound Marketing, Conquer Today and Lakeland Lancers Rugby
- Naomi Vacaro of Naomi Lynn Photography and Wholehearted
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