INDUSTRY: Inland businesses honored for resilience, success
23.02.12
If this year’s collection of Inland Empire Spirit of the Entrepreneur award winners proves one thing, it’s that resilience pays off in any economy.
John Gordon and Scott Whipple started Canidae All Natural Pet Food as a way to keep their pet-food store relevant after a national chain store moved into the neighborhood. Today, the Norco company’s products are sold by more than 7,000 pet food retailers around the world.
Similarly, Lisa Ramsey started Riverside-based Medi-Cal Consulting Services Inc. in 2003 after losing her job as a Medi-Cal consultant for a company that owned nursing homes.
All three entrepreneurs were among the winners announced Tuesday night during a black-tie gala at the Riverside Convention Center.
The annual awards ceremony, organized by the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal State San Bernardino, recognized the winners from a pool of 25 finalists and more than 140 nominees.
Special awards also were presented, one for lifetime achievement to Jack Brown, longtime chief executive of Stater Bros. Markets, and another to “master entrepreneurs” Scott and Beverly Bailey, founders of Riverside-based Stronghold Engineering.
Source: Press-Enterprise