News: Finalists announced for the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards 2024 gala event! - Fri, October 4, 2024

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., October 4, 2024 -- The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at Cal State San Bernardino announced the finalists for the 22nd annual celebration of the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. 34 entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of over 300 nominees. 36 semi-finalists participated in a reception on October 3, sponsored by McKell Partners, where they interacted with the event judges and their peer entrepreneurs. Immediately following the reception, the judges convened for several hours of deliberation, leading to the selection of 34 finalists. The finalists for the event will compete for the Spirit of the Entrepreneur award in seven (7) different categories at the black-tie gala on November 21st at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside. Winners will be announced at the event.

The 2024 Inland Empire entrepreneurial finalists include:

• The Cupcake & Espresso Bar, Fadi Ballout - Moreno Valley
• Venue38, Christine Harris - Redlands
• Yummy Snacks Treats and Goodies, Edwina Thomas - Redlands

• AmPac Business Capital, Hilda Kennedy - Ontario
• Angel Jewelers, Liliana Andriani - Rancho Cucamonga
• Foxtrot Construction, Inc., Fermin Fosado - Colton
• PJ's Desert Trophies & Gifts and McDowell Awards, Elaine Holmes - Indio
• The Talent Factory Dance Studio and Gymnasium, Andrea Dianne Roberts - Chino
• World Wide Wings LLC, Naushad Imam Mohammed - San Bernardino

• 360 Human Services, Harry Jackson - Victorville
• All Hours Adult Care, Marie Vernon - Riverside
• Globe Biomedical, Matthew Rickard - Riverside
• Integrated Care Communities Family of Companies, Phillip and Sarah Saucedo - Moreno Valley
• Virent Health, Dr. Davetta Hammond - Riverside
• Wax Apothecary, Diana Orr - Idyllwild

• Anita's Mexican Foods, Corp., Mauro Gomez - San Bernardino
• Environmental Lighting for Architecture, Inc., Bill Grogan - Corona

• Active IT Solutions, David Shay - Riverside
• Craig Davis Family Insurance, Craig Davis - Temecula
• Elite Tax Partners, Nicole Albrecht - Temecula
• Fast Lane Tires, LLC, Juan and Shannon Baltazar - Wildomar
• Roses Say, Rose Study - Chino Hills
• Tomorrow's Talent, Dr. Dale Marsden - San Bernardino

• Alliant Global Security Services, Hekmat Sherzad - Riverside
• Aly Rose Beauty, Aly Collins - Temecula
• Brite and Clean, Inc., Tim Bloom - Yucaipa
• Tinker the Robot, Kay Yang - Upland

• Caravanserai Project, Mihai Patru - Palm Springs
• Children's Fund, Cesar Navarrete - San Bernardino
• Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Zeb Welborn - Chino
• Families Achieving Success, Katie Marie McClendon - Perris
• Human Migration Institute, Selin Yildiz Nielsen - Riverside
• Inland Empire Regional Chamber of Commerce, Edward Ornelas, Jr. - Ontario
• Wildomar Community and Parks Foundation Inc., Bridgette Moore - Wildomar

TICKETING

Attendees can BOOK TICKETS ONLINE HERE Starting October 10 with direct seat selection for the 2024 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala event. Ticket prices for the black-tie event range from $150 to $225 each + fees.

Spirit Awards Event Features

Commencing at 5:00 p.m. on November 21st, attendees will experience either a Gala, Preview or VIP reception, stellar event entertainment, awards presentations, and an exclusive after party! Ticket are on sale now!

The Best of the Best Award. Sponsored by Best, Best & Krieger, LLP
The top entrepreneur from among the evenings award recipients that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit will take home the 2024 Best of the Best award.

Witness 90-second business pitches from competing student finalists. Audience members cast their votes for the best business idea through a live voting poll to determine which students will walk away with the top cash prizes.

The top female entrepreneur from among the finalists that demonstrates exceptional leadership, vision and risk taking to create a unique business.

Entertainment
Upcoming entertainment guest stars are always an anticipated reveal during the gala. Past events have included top flight entertainment such as: Rock Legend Eddie Money, Ekenah Claudin-Transcending Box, and Gregory Adamson- Facing the Music Performance Artistry.

VIP Reception Sponsored by City National Bank an RBC Company

A portion of the proceeds from the Spirit of the Entrepreneur event benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship established by Dr. Mike Stull, Director of Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino. The scholarship is awarded to vetted and deserving entrepreneurship students in order to assist them in achieving their degree. Since inception, the fund has provided over $250,000 in scholarship support.

• EVENT SPONSORS

  The Spirit of the Entrepreneur event is presented by the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino and sponsored by a wide range of local organizations including:

• PLATINUM SPONSORS Best Best & Krieger LLP, U.S. Bank, Southern California News Group, and Inland Empire Magazine
• GOLD SPONSORS Varner & Brandt LLP, San Bernardino County EDA, City of Riverside, Desmond & Louis, Riverside County Office of Economic Development and PNC Bank
• SILVER SPONSORS Eide Bailly, First Citizens Bank, Pepsico, and Pacific Premier Bank
• JUDGING RECEPTION SPONSOR McKell Partners Wealth Management
• VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR - City National Bank, An RBC Company
• PREVIEW RECEPTION SPONSOR - Bank of America
• AFTER PARTY SPONSOR BBSI, Inc.
• CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR BBSI, Inc.
• WINE SPONSOR RP&B CPAs, Inc.