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News: Top Entrepreneurs of 2023 Unveiled at Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Gala! - Thu, November 16, 2023

Thu, November 16, 2023

Top Entrepreneurs of 2023 Unveiled at Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards Gala!

Riverside, Calif., November 15, 2023 – Celebrating in the theme of “accelerating the future,” a crowd of nearly 900 entrepreneurs and community members gathered for the 21st annual gala of the Spirit of the Entrepreneur, witnessing a stellar evening of awards and entertainment that reinforced the gala’s status as the premier business event of the Inland Empire region.

This year's award recipients recognized at the black-tie gala, chosen from the 32 finalists, include:

  • Prospero Collado, H&S Transport – Fontana – GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR & BEST OF THE BEST AWARD
  • Christine Holyfield, My Health Penguin - Rancho Cucamonga – MARY ANNE FOX TOP FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR
  • Kirby Hays, Cal Pacific Constructors, Inc. – Riverside – CORPORATE ENTREPRENEUR
  • Stephen Hasemeyer, Arcade Coffee Roasters – Riverside – FOOD, HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEUR
  • Jeff Grange, Symbiosis – Redlands – HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR
  • Pete Benavidez – Blindness Support Services – Riverside – NONPROFIT ENTREPRENEUR
  • Andrea K. Shoup, Shoup Legal – Murrieta – SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR
  • Dana Walker-Jackson, Cinderella’s Closet – Rancho Cucamonga – SMALL/EMERGING ENTERPRISE

    FAST PITCH COMPETITION

    As part of the event festivities, the Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition was held for five future entrepreneurs to deliver a 90-second pitch about their up-and-coming venture idea to the audience and were critiqued on their overall preparation, poise and professional presentation. The top three pitches were recognized, and the top student walked away with a $4,000 prize. The fast pitch, which involves students from Cal State San Bernardino, is sponsored by local entrepreneur Garner Holt of Garner Holt Productions and City National Bank. The top 3 finishers were:

    • Samuel Moreno - SPIKED
    • Jeramy Sanchez - Business Spanish Solutions
    • Ana Gonzalez – Bake with Me
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