NAWBO Awards

Nominations for the 2022 NAWBO National Women Business Owner of the Year Award will be open March 17 - April 30. The award will be presented during the virtual National Women’s Business Conference (WBC) at the Annual Gala, October 11, 2022.

The Woman Business Owner of the Year Award recognizes and rewards an entrepreneur who excels at strategy, operations, finances, problem solving, overcoming adversity and giving back to her community. It’s not based on business size, but rather overall business excellence.

Congratualtions to the 2022 Woman Business Owner of the Year Award Top 10 Class

• Christina Reger, Law Offices of Christina Reger, LLC - NAWBO Philly 
• Christine EB Howard, E.B. Howard Consulting - NAWBO Buffalo Niagara
• Diana Dibble, Design To Delivery Inc. - NAWBO Greater DC
• Jacqueline Baly, BalyProjects - NAWBO Houston
• Kathy Durfee, TechHouse - NAWBO Virtual
• Kimberly Groves, KCW Engineering Technologies, Inc- NAWBO Greater DC
• Laura McHolm, NorthStar Moving Company - NAWBO Los Angeles
• Moira Vetter, Modo Modo Agency - NAWBO Atlanta
• Sandy Heard, Prime Waste Solutions - NAWBO Houston
• Shital Daftari, SNT Biotech & Saris and Things - NAWBO Chicago

The top three finalists receive these exciting prizes:

• Complimentary full WBC conference registration

• Inclusion as a panelist in a Women's Business Conference panel session sponsored by Bank of America

• National exposure on NAWBO social media and communication channels

• Recognition as a finalist during the Awards Gala and a 4-color headshot and bio in the WBC program book

• Profile in NAWBO ONE e-publication article leading up to the conference

Winner recieves:

• Honored at the NAWBO Awards Gala

• Announced as WBO of the Year in NAWBO communications

• National press release announcing Gala honorees through PR Newswire

To qualify, all nominees must:

• Be an active Premier or Virtual NAWBO member in good-standing

• Participate in the day-to-day operations of the company

• Own a minimum of 25% of the company

• Be able to attend the virtual National Women’s Business Conference—October 11, 2022

• Not be a member of the NAWBO National Board of Directors

Members can self-nominate or be nominated by another party. The nomination period closes April 30.  Please submit supporting documents to contests@nawbo.org by April 30 @5pm ET.

The top three finalists will be announced on or before July 22 through NAWBO communications.  

Awards Selection, Judging & Announcement Process

The Awards Selection Committee is comprised of the current NAWBO National Chair, Immediate Past National Chair, Chair of the Presidents Assembly Steering Committee and other members of the National Board. 

The Committee will have exclusive, confidential access to all nomination applications and supporting documents. They judge each nominee using a scoring matrix that outlines the criteria and point system. Once the matrixes are complete, they are submitted to a NAWBO staff member, who then calculates the scores.  The top ten nominees are passed to Bank of America for final scoring.  If there is a tie, the Awards Selection Committee will submit a confidential vote for the winner.

• Nomination Link 
• Nomination Period: May 1- June 30

Description

The NAWBO National Member of the Year Award recognizes a “champion” member who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to her chapter and the mission of the organization. She has consistently given her time and resources to the betterment of the NAWBO community and the longevity of the founders’ vision to propel women business owners.

Nominee Requirements

1. Must be a NAWBO premier member with an active status
2. Can NOT be a member of the National Board of Directors
3. Has past or current service on a committee or board at the chapter level

Judging Criteria

Judges may not be familiar with the nominees’ chapter service.  Therefore, submissions should contain as much requested information as possible.  Judges will consider each nomination based on the following criteria:

The nominee…

1. Has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the vitality and growth of her chapter
2. Has consistently given her time and resources to the betterment of the NAWBO experience, locally and nationally
3. Has strengthened the image and role of NAWBO in the public and/or private sector
4. Gives of herself to individuals within her chapter as well as to the committee(s) on which she serves
5. Makes her colleagues glad and grateful that they are in the same organization that as she is

Nomination Questions:

1. Briefly describe how you see the nominee's service has impacted her fellow NAWBO members' chapter experience and entrepreneurial journey.
2. Share how the nominee has contributed to the chapter's goals and growth through her committee or board service.
3. Describe how the nominee has participated in the monthly operations of the chapter/committee.
4. List the committees, board seats, or initiatives the nominee has supported during her time in NAWBO service.  If available, include specific chapter, committee, project, and dates. 
5. Describe how the nominee has positively impacted the NAWBO brand either locally or nationally.  Share at least one specific example of her exceptional service to the organization. 

Process

Nominations are made by using the survey monkey link provided. Members can self-nominate.   Premier level members are eligible for the award.  Active National Board Members are not eligible for nomination.  Supporting Documents such as letters of recommendation, articles, and proof of service can be submitted before July 31^st to contests@nawbo.org.

The Award Committee will score the nominees and submit score cards to one person on the NAWBO staff for totaling.  The top three finalists will be notified the week of August 16 to schedule an interview with the awards committee.  The winner will NOT be publicly disclosed until the award is presented at the Awards Gala on October 11.

Honoree Receives

•  Complimentary WBC registration
•  Bio and 4-color headshot in the WBC Program
•  Honored during the NAWBO Awards Gala
•  Profile in NAWBO One article
•  National exposure on NAWBO social media and communication channels
•  Customized press release announcing award selection to send to local market

2021 Winner - Sandra Clitter, Your Tech Tamer - NAWBO Philadelphia
 

NAWBO Rising Star Award

• Nomination Link
• Nomination Period: May 1-July 31

Description

NAWBO Rising Star Award honors a woman business owner that, through creativity and innovation, is building sustainable growth in her economic and social ecosystem. She utilizes her growing platform as a social entrepreneur to propel her generation and future women business owners, regardless of their age or social standing.

Nominee Requirements

1. No more than 35 years of age at time of application
2. Owner of a registered business that has been operating at least 2 years
3. Has achieved tangible and material entrepreneurial success established through revenue and employee growth
4. Demonstrates the importance of innovation as a way to effect positive change
5. Continues to strive for excellence and advance overall women entrepreneurship in a positive manner
6. Shows a commitment to propelling the next generation of entrepreneurs towards greater economic, social, and political spheres of power through mentoring or similar programs

Judging Criteria

Judges may not be familiar with the nominees’ area of expertise.   Therefore, descriptions should be written with this in mind and clearly articulate the commercial value and impact of the business model.  Judges will consider each nomination based on four criteria:

• Strategy (objectives, planning, execution, budget)
• Design (concept, techniques, development, technology)
• Philanthropy (mission, scalability, results, future goals)
• Results (client satisfaction, visitors, engagement, user experience)

Nomination Questions:

1. What is the estimated age of the nominee?
2. Is the nominee a NAWBO member?
3. How long has the nominee been a business owner?
4. What are the business’s social handles? Ex: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.
5. Describe how the nominee uses creativity and innovation to build a sustainable business and effect positive change as a social impact entrepreneur.
6. Share how the nominee utilizes her growing platform to propel her generation and future women business owners, regardless of their age or social standing.
7. Describe how the business has achieved tangible and material success established through revenue and employee growth.
8. Share the mission, vision, and/or future goals of the business and how the nominee's long-term business model works toward achieving them. 

Process

Nominations are made by members using the survey monkey link provided. Members can self-nominate.   Members and non-members are eligible for the award.  Supporting Documents such as letters of recommendation, articles, and customer reviews can be submitted before July 31^st to contests@nawbo.org.

The Award Committee will score the nominees and submit score cards to one person on the NAWBO staff for totaling.  The winner will be notified on or before September 1, 2021.  The winner will NOT be publicly disclosed until the award is presented at the Annual Awards Gala on October 11.

Honoree Receives

•  Complimentary WBC registration
•  Bio and 4-color headshot in the Women’s Business Conference Program
•  Honored during the NAWBO Awards Gala
•  Profile in NAWBO One article
•  National exposure on NAWBO social media and communication channels
•  Customized press release announcing award selection to send to local market

Timeline

• May 1 – Nominations open and promoted in on all NAWBO Comms channels and social media
• July 31 – Nominations close and deadline for Nominee supporting documents
• August 23 – Award Selection Committee Score Cards Due
• August 31– Winner must be selected, and name submitted to NAWBO staff
• September 1 – Nominees notified of committee decision / Winner not publicly disclosed