The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation (YEF) awarded budding business owner Shea Gouldd its highest honor today, naming her the 2013 Young Entrepreneur of the Year at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
As the winner of YEF’s top prize, Gouldd, who resides in Boynton Beach, Fla., will receive a $10,000 educational scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis this fall, where she will study business at Olin Business School.
“Each year, NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Awards remind us of the value of hard work, determination and, most importantly, of dreaming big. Ms. Gouldd and her fellow finalists give us tremendous confidence in the next generation of business owners,” said NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner.
“We are thrilled to know that even in tough economic times, so many young people, like Shea, are motivated to build their own businesses, pursue their dreams and keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive in America. Our nation’s future is all the brighter because of their determination and innovative ideas.”
Gouldd owns and operates Shea’s Bakery, a gourmet bakery that she founded at the age of 14. Over the last several years, Shea’s Bakery has gained notoriety and attention for her made-to-order baked goods, becoming the No. 1 bakery in Delray Beach, according to urbanspoon.com, and a preferred wedding cake vendor at local hotels.
Shea’s Bakery is also a community-conscious business, donating 10 percent of all profits to charity. Gouldd’s business success grew out of her favorite hobby, baking, into a business that now employs three people.
“Entrepreneurship is in my blood,” says Gouldd, whose innovative baking ideas, such as “Pattycakes” and cake push-up pops have made her business highly competitive and successful.
Gouldd was selected from a group of finalists from around the country, each of whom received a $5,000 scholarship and also attended the D.C. ceremony where they were recognized for their business endeavors.
The awards are part of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award scholarship program that is designed to recognize, reward and encourage young men and women to pursue their dreams of owning and operating a small business. NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation established its scholarship program to raise awareness among the nation’s youth about the critical role of private enterprise and entrepreneurship in growing America’s economy.
The foundation selected the recipients from a nationwide applicant pool of more than 500 students. Award recipients will use the scholarships to attend the university, college, community college or career institute of their choice.
To qualify for an NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award, students must be seniors in high school who own and/or operate their own small business. They were required to write an essay describing their entrepreneurial endeavors and future goals. NFIB members around the country interviewed the applicants for the Young Entrepreneur Awards. An independent, outside committee selects a group of qualified semi-finalists.
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Editor’s note: NFIB media conact is Cynthia Magnuson, at (202) 314-2036 or Cynthia.Magnuson@NFIB.org.