I know… I am always telling my clients to stop bragging about themselves. It’s about the donors. They make you great. They give you the money you need to accomplish your mission. So, this might sound like bragging. But stay with me.

First, MarketSmart (me) is being honored in Washington, DC on Thursday night, September 17th, along with some others including a Congressman and a Senator.
Why? We were named the 2015 Outstanding Innovative Small Business by SCORE (America’s Service Corps of Retired Executives— about 11,000 retired CEO’s who volunteer to help mentor hundreds of thousands of people like me). I’m so honored that, out of so many businesses around the country, ours was determined to be the most innovative.

By the way, SCORE is an amazing organization.  If you are thinking of starting a business (or you already have one up-and-running) and need help… just go online or visit a SCORE chapter today. There are about 320 chapters all across the nation. And, their assistance is 100% free (thanks to the generous support of people like me — yes, I donate a little bit here and there — major donors, and amazing Foundations).
The award will be presented to me by the Office Depot Foundation (an outstanding organization too).
 

But I must say loud and clear that I could not have received this award without my amazing staff.
At MarketSmart, our employees don’t have jobs. They have either careers or callings. Careers or callings have meaning. We realize that the fastest way to disengage our staff is to tell them that their work is meaningful only because of the paycheck they receive. That’s what some consultants told me I should do. I was told to pay more and use money as a carrot. I said, “no!” Now our staff is more engaged, happier, more committed and exponentially more productive.

And I couldn’t have done it without all of you. 
Some of you are “lurkers”. You’re reading our eBooks, attending our webinars, and you’re making the world a better place on your own. And that’s fine. But many of you are our clients. You buy from us.
You let us do the marketing so you can get the results.
You use our software to track and score your donors’ engagements.
You zero-in on the most likely prospects.
You raise more money at lower costs.
You are awesome!
Thank you for allowing my staff and I the opportunity to help you.
Thank you for being leaders in the field.
Thank you for being brave.
Thank you for trying something new.
Thank you for helping me help you make the world a better place.

My mentor.
And, of course, I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to my mentor, Hal Shelton (Author of The Secrets To Writing A Successful Business Plan).  Hal is the most patient and humble, yet wisest business man I have ever met. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Here’s the official press release:
Outstanding Small Businesses and Supporters to Receive Honors at 7th Annual SCORE Awards
WASHINGTON, September 10, 2015 — SCORE, – www.score.org – mentors to America’s small businesses, announces the winners of the 2015 SCORE Awards recognizing excellence in American small business owners and non-profits whose success has been impacted by SCORE’s services.
The 2015 SCORE Awards will honor several outstanding examples of successful, innovative SCORE clients as well as important advocates for small business. Winners were chosen across 10 categories presented by companies that support SCORE and will be celebrated during a gala taking place on September 17, 2015 in Washington, D.C.
“We are excited and honored to recognize the achievements of these small business owners, non-profits and advocates who have helped bolster entrepreneurship in America,” said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. “Small businesses are the engine to our economy and thanks to these owners, last year SCORE helped more than 56,000 new businesses open resulting in more than 47,000 jobs created.”
To select the 2015 SCORE Awards honorees, SCORE asked small business owners and their SCORE mentors to nominate their business by taking a “Business Selfie” and sharing ways small businesses have made the world a better place and how meaningful relationships between SCORE mentors and clients have helped businesses prosper.
“We are continually impressed and moved by the stories and sacrifices made by America’s small business owners and are excited to celebrate their entrepreneurial spirit later this month,” said David R. Bobbitt, executive director of The SCORE Foundation. “This year’s SCORE Award winners are exceptional examples of the great outcomes SCORE mentors have been helping to create for more than 50 years.”

Outstanding Innovative Small Business Award Presented by Office Depot Foundation
Owner: Greg Warner, MarketSmart
Mentor: Hal Shelton, Washington, DC SCORE
Each year, SCORE recognizes outstanding volunteerism on behalf of both SCORE and the small business community through its Lou Campanelli Award. The SCORE Foundation is pleased to present the 2015 Lou Campanelli Award to Giovanni Coratolo, vice president, Small Business Policy Economic Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Senator Kelly Ayotte and Representative Chris Van Hollen, Jr. will also be receiving the Hill Champion award. SCORE’s top small business award, it’s presented annually to members of Congress and recognizes outstanding advocacy and action, within Congress and beyond, on behalf of small businesses and their owners.
What:  SCORE Awards
Date:   September 17, 2015
Time:  6 p.m.
Place:  U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Hall of Flags
Washington, DC
For more information, or to attend this event, please contact Bridget Weston Pollack at 800-634-0245 or media@score.org. Learn more at https://www.score.org/SCORE_Awards
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE provides small business mentoring, workshops and education to more than 375,000 new and growing small businesses. More than 11,000 business experts volunteer as mentors in over 320 chapters serving local communities with entrepreneur education.
For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Connect with SCORE at www.facebook.com/SCOREFans and www.twitter.com/SCOREMentors.
Contact Information
Bridget Weston Pollack
800-634-0245
media@score.org

Related Posts

>> The 2015 SCORE Award Winners
>> The Real MarketSmart Story

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