San Bernardino News Daily Local news for San Bernardino, about San Bernardino.
Four San Bernardino entrepreneur finalists have won top honors at the 22nd annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala on November 21.
San Bernardino-based entrepreneurs Mauro Gomez, Naushad Imam Mohammed, Dr. Dale Marsden, and Cesar Navarrete each won their respective categories and received a Spirit award.
In front of a sellout crowd of more than 850 entrepreneurs, business/civic leaders, and community members, Gomez, Mohammed, Marsden and Navarrete, along with four others were recognized and celebrated as each winner was announced during the black-tie event.
The audience, along with the 34 finalists selected from a pool of nearly 300 nominees, enjoyed an incredible evening of awards and entertainment.
This year’s award recipients and the categories they won are:
- Mauro Gomez, Anita’s Mexican Food – San Bernardino – MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR & BEST OF THE BEST AWARD
- Hilda Kennedy, AmPac Business Capital – Ontario – MARY ANNE FOX TOP FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR
- Fadi Ballout, The Cupcake & Espresso Bar – Moreno Valley – FOOD, HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEUR
- Naushad Imam Mohammed, World Wide Wings LLC – San Bernardino – GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR
- Phillip and Sarah Saucedo, Integrated Care Communities Family of Companies – Moreno Valley– HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR
- Dr. Dale Marsden, Tomorrow’s Talent – San Bernardino – SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR
- Hekmat Sherzad, Alliant Global Security Services – Riverside – SMALL/EMERGING ENTERPRISE
- Cesar Navarrete, Children’s Fund – San Bernardino – SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
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:
- 1st Place – Alexis Luna – Skill Swipe
- 2nd Place – Analis Mustelier – Safe Maps
- 3rd Place – Brianna Lee – Campus Cravings
