SBA Entrepreneur of the Year
April 24, 2006
Genevieve Thiers Receives Prestigious U.S. Small Business Administration's Champion Award
Recognized as the 2006 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
In celebration of America's entrepreneurial spirit, the U.S. Small Business Administration hosted Small Business Week 2006, in Washington, D.C., April 12-13. President George W. Bush addressed more than 100 outstanding small business owners from around the country, including Sittercity.com's CEO and Founder Genevieve Thiers, who was awarded one of only nine national awards and was named the 2006 "SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year."
President Bush announced the SBA Champion Awards including Sittercity.
Ms. Thiers was nominated for this award by the Women's Business Development Center in Chicago, IL, which awarded her the 2005 Rising Star Award at their Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference in September. "We nominated Genevieve because we feel that she truly encapsulates what the Women's Business Development Center stands for; recognizing great ideas and helping them become very successful businesses," says Hedy Ratner, Co-president and founder of the organization. "Not only is Sittercity.com doing exceedingly well, but it's also helping other women and families."
Sittercity founder Genevieve Thiers received the SBA Champion Award in a State Department reception from SBA Administrator Hector Barreto.
Thiers was recognized for her success as a young entrepreneur and her creation of Sittercity.com, America's first and largest online matchmaking service for parents and babysitters. Her vision for the company came from her personal experience as a college babysitter as she witnessed many parents' struggle to find a sitter. "I am honored to receive this award; it's a testament to the fact that women entrepreneurs should follow dreams when they have them," states Thiers. "I would not have been able to do it if I hadn't met Kelly Mizeur, Hedy Ratner and all of the great women from the Women's Business Development Center in Chicago. They saw that I had something great and helped me make it a reality."
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About the Women's Business Development Center:
The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is a nationally and internationally recognized not-for-profit organization established in 1986 to work with women to launch new businesses and strengthen existing businesses in the Chicago area. Over the past 20 years, the WBDC has become a leader in providing direct services to women business owners and in effecting changes in public policy which reflect the needs of women entrepreneurs and their families. For more information please call (312)853-3477 or visit www.WBDC.org.