SPEARFISH… The SD CEO West Women’s Business Center announces the 11th year of the Outstanding Women in Business awards program and is currently seeking nominations. These prestigious awards are designed to highlight the impact of outstanding women entrepreneurs and leaders across the state.

Nominate successful South Dakota women entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who have made a significant impact in business and whose actions exemplify savvy business acumen, integrity, compassion, and commitment to community.

“Hard work, grit, and dedication are what it takes to own your career or your business,” says Carissa Hauck, Director of SD CEO West. “With these awards, we want to recognize the incredible efforts these women have made in their communities.”

Nominees must be women whose business is located in South Dakota. The three award categories include: The Enterprising Young Entrepreneur, The Enterprising Woman Entrepreneur, and The Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur.

A statewide group of judges will review all nominations and select the top three finalists for each category. Finalists and their nominators will be notified the first week of May.

These awards will be presented at the Women’s Business Summit on Tuesday, May 23, at The Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center in Spearfish, SD.

All nominations will be confidential. Winners will be announced at the conference.

Requirements:

• Each nomination narrative should be 300 words or less.

• Two (2) references are required for each nomination.

• References will be asked a standard list of questions to gather more specific information about the nominee.

• Nominations are to be submitted via the website www.BHSU.edu/SDCEO. Deadline for nominations: Tuesday, April 24, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. MT.

• Nominations should be submitted on behalf of an individual or business.

• Nominations for The Enterprising Young Entrepreneur and The Enterprising Entrepreneur must meet the Small Business Administration (SBA) definition of a small business: Is a small business entrepreneur as defined by the U.S. SBA (500 employees or less for manufacturing and mining industries and $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts for non-manufacturing industries; is organized for profit; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; is not dominant in its field on a national basis)

Categories:

The Enterprising Young Entrepreneur

This woman entrepreneur has created a successful business by demonstrating outstanding skill and commitment. This woman:

• has a minimum of 3 years in her current business

• is 35 years or younger as of August 30, 2022

• is a small business entrepreneur

The Enterprising Entrepreneur

This dynamic businesswoman has achieved substantial success in her business and community. This woman:

• is a small business owner or majority owner

• has a minimum of seven (7) years in business

• demonstrates outstanding skill, commitment, and accomplishment, while successfully navigating obstacles and influences, mentors, and encourages others

The Enterprising Intrapreneur

This woman may work for a business or non-profit of any size. She is not the owner, but has used her entrepreneurial qualities to implement or serve as a catalyst to innovative changes within her organization that have led to increased revenues, expansion/growth of the company, improved systems, or other quantifiable improvements/advancements of the organization. She can work at any level of the organization, and demonstrates significant leadership qualities at work and within her community. The business the woman works for must be located in South Dakota.

The Enterprising Women In Business Awards are awarded by the SD CEO West Women’s Business Center and recognize and honor all working women across South Dakota. Nominations are open through April 24 and can be made here: https://linktr.ee/sdceowestawards.

See past winners here: https://bhsu.edu/sdceo/Events/Past%20Events/outstanding-women-in-business-award-winners.