This Economy Can Work for Your Business and Growth 2.0 is Going to Show You How
Get ready to find out everything you need to know on how to take advantage of the epic economic opportunity right before you. This economy can work for your business, and Growth 2.0 is going to show you how. Come join the small business community along with today's top business authors, radicals, visionaries, and the editorial team at Entrepreneur magazine.
Keynote Speaker Jay Conrad Levinson
In a rare appearance, Jay will take you on a personal journey on how to take a no-prisoners approach to marketing. Through a rich blend of legendary anecdotes and case histories from his career, he will explain the key differences between guerrilla marketing and traditional marketing, the 100 weapons of guerrilla marketing, prove that marketing is now a science, and delve into the personalities of successful guerrilla marketers. He'll reveal the key secrets of guerrilla marketing, the truth about online marketing, and the steps to take to earn serious profits with a guerrilla marketing attack.
This is Your Chance to be Featured in Entrepreneur!
In addition to the day's seminars, speakers and networking events, Growth 2.0 offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to pitch your business to Entrepreneur's editors.
Tell them why your business should be featured in Entrepreneur magazine or on Entrepreneur.com for the chance to generate the kind of attention that can increase your sales, multiply your customer base and get national recognition for your business.
Luncheon & Cocktail Hour
Join us in honoring the Entrepreneur of 2009 award winners and gain insight from their experiences and perspectives as the leaders of growing businesses. Winners will be announced from each of three categories during this complimentary luncheon portion of the event.
Internet Power Marketing
Extend your brand to the Internet in a way that directly translates into business growth with Starr Hall .
Networking Like a Pro
Expand your network through effective communications, long-term partnerships and word-of-mouth marketing with Ivan Misner.
Principals of Sales Leadership
Come learn how to create an atmosphere of greatness, set mutually agreed-upon goals, establish incentives with Tom Black.
How to Raise Money Now
Discover fresh strategies in challenging times, and tap into angel financing, insider financing and venture capital with Asheesh Advani.
Located In: Ann Arbor, MI Year Founded: 1999 Year Incorporated: 1999 Sales In 2008: $8,000,000 Number of Employees: 63 Website:http://www.adaptivematerials.com
Describe your business.
Developing portable, propane-based power systems for everything from laptops to unmanned vehicles.
How have you impacted your community?
Unlike competing fuel cell systems, Adaptive Materials' portable power system is fueled by propane--the same propane tank that fuels a camp stove fuels power for unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles and other devices that keep soldiers safe in the field. Adaptive Materials fuel cell systems also power consumer devices, like laptops, cell phones and other electrical devices.
How are you giving back to the community?
Michelle Crumm's leadership has been instrumental in helping Adaptive Materials transition from startup to second-stage, fast-growing manufacturing company. As a dynamic community participant, Crumm is an active board member for the Washtenaw County American Red Cross and currently serves as treasurer for the Great Lakes Entrepreneur Quest executive board of directors.
Located In: Park City, UT Year Founded: 2002 Year Incorporated: 2003 Sales In 2008: $85,494,000 Number of Employees: 65 Website:http://www.skullcandy.com
Describe your business.
Redefining the cranial real estate market with innovatively designed headphones and music accessories.
How have you impacted your community?
Simply looking at a Skullcandy product catalog is the clearest demonstration of this company's creativity and innovation. Skullcandy has singlehandedly taken a dry, black and white commodity product headphone category, and in just a few short years, changed the way people think of, buy and sell these products, thus launching not only a product, but a brand that merges technology with action sports.
How are you giving back to the community?
A successful entrepreneur, Alden consistently gives back to both the action sports industry and his community. Skullcandy and Alden give 5 percent of all pink products to not-for profit, Boarding for Breast Cancer. In 2008, Skullcandy made the largest donation the organization has yet to receive, over $36,000. Alden also donates supplies and his time to local ski and snowboard schools in Park City, Utah.
Located In: Boston, MA Year Founded: 1996 Year Incorporated: 1996 Sales In 2008: $3,800,000 Number of Employees: 31 Website:http://www.fablevision.com
Describe your business.
Using media, storytelling and technology to teach and inspire learners to reach their true potential.
How have you impacted your community?
Convinced that positive media and technology can have the same "sticking power" as popular media, we've pioneered a variety of CD-ROM, websites, books and films that entertain and teach. Our Animation-ish software has kids animating in minutes and sparks their inner artist. Our work on Generation Cures for Children's Hospital Boston mixes fun with altruism, empowering kids to "Make It Better."
How are you giving back to the community?
FableVision's economic impact on Boston is reflected in our 2009 Pacesetters Award, given by Boston Business Journal to recognize the area's fastest-growing private companies. This year, Boston Mayor Menino chose FableVision as the kickoff spot for Create Boston, a city-wide digital gaming initiative. In addition, Peter frequently speaks in elementary schools about the power of creativity.
Located In: Potomac Falls, VA Year Founded: 2001 Year Incorporated: 2001 Sales In 2008: $8,519,941 Number of Employees: 70 Website:http://www.kmghauling.com
Describe your business.
Turning trash around with waste disposal and recycling at homes, schools and businesses.
How have you impacted your community?
My mission for the company has been to develop a more strategic way to dispose of all refuse material. I strive to be a responsible waste removal and recycling company, focusing more on recycling then disposal. I have initiated a "Going Green" campaign where we perform waste inspections for our clients to limit what goes into the landfill.
How are you giving back to the community?
Early education is important to set responsible recycling behavior at a young age. We host recycling events at the local schools to teach elementary students how important it is to recycle their paper, bottles, cans etc., and show them how easy it can be. We want them to feel that they are a part of saving their planet one bottle at a time.
Located In: Irvine, CA Year Founded: 2001 Year Incorporated: 2001 Sales In 2008: $33,494,000 Number of Employees: 36 Website:http://www.crescentsolutions.net
Describe your business.
Connecting businesses with IT professionals in unconventional ways.
How have you impacted your community?
Creating a place where everyone is an owner, this is the stuff industry impact is made of. Ownership mandates re-thinking, re-engineering process daily, hourly for breakthrough thinking. E.g. Our secret Sauce (RPM) drives flawless team execution through quality control checkpoints. Project risk is minimized, lives are maximized. That's S.O.P at Crescent, as is our mission: "Everyone Wins."
How are you giving back to the community?
Our core business counteracts job loss stats by creating thousands of jobs every year. Special Olympics, mentoring students and going green are hot topics for Crescent these days. Fact is, the future is bright and our drive to make local to world impact is in its infancy. Now that I think about it, giving "everyone" in my company a budget to make a notable impact, that's next! Everyone wins.
Located In: Tampa, FL Year Founded: 2008 Year Incorporated: 2008 Sales In 2008: $689,000 Number of Employees: 3 Website:http://www.bizflick.com
Describe your business.
Assisting small businesses with free video advertising in a nationwide online directory.
How have you impacted your community?
The video commercial industry is exploding; currently there is no proven monetary model to follow in this type of category. Bizflick is creating and testing its own model impacting the video commercial industry by allowing SMB's to list Vmercials for free, creating pressure on the Industry to create and implement innovative income streams that will benefit the Small business owner(s).
How are you giving back to the community?
During the short Bizflick commenced operations we have created, edit and placed many small business Video's for business owners who otherwise would have never been able to complete such a task whether for monetary reasons or for the lack of technology know-how.
Bizflick plans on launching an SMB "Create your Video day" once a month where we will create short business Videos for SMB's for free.
Located In: Fort Collins, CO Year Founded: 2006 Year Incorporated: 2006 Sales In 2008: $540,000 Number of Employees: 9 Website:http://www.cleanairlawncare.com
Describe your business.
Making the grass perpetually greener with eco-friendly lawn care services.
How have you impacted your community?
Is the first national, eco-friendly lawn care company & was founded with a goal to "Change the Way America Mows the Lawn." Ten percent of the nation's air pollution comes from lawn care equipment & Clean Air is changing that by demonstraiting the viability of alternatives to gas equipment and chemical fertilizers. Has been featured on covers of trade magazines and tests equipment for leading manufacturers.
How are you giving back to the community?
Reduced more than 34,000 pounds of air pollution nationwide in 2008, the equivalent of reducing over 1 million vehicle miles. Educates local children, environmental groups, governments, & businesses on sustainable lawn care. Improved air quality around numerous schools throughout the country wtih the service. Participated in local mower exchange events to take gas mowers off lawns. Provided jobs.
Located In: Arlington, VA Year Founded: 2007 Year Incorporated: 2007 Sales In 2008: $865,000 Number of Employees: 9 Website:http://www.alchimie-forever.com
Describe your business.
Making the world more confident and beautiful with plant-based, antioxidant-rich skin care products.
How have you impacted your community?
Ada is a commitee member of the Fashion Group International (FGI), on the editorial board of PCI Magazine, a committee member of the International Spa Association, a contributor to numerous magazines, and a frequent guest speaker at leading universities and industry conferences.
How are you giving back to the community?
Ada is the founder of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (www.new-women.org), an association for women entrepreneurs in the Mid-Atlantic region which enhances visibility and networking for women business owners. She is also a member of NFTE, which helps young people from low-income communities build skills and unlock their entrepreneurial creativity.
Located In: Chicago, IL Year Founded: 2008 Year Incorporated: 2008 Sales In 2008: $625,000 Number of Employees: 9 Website:http://www.organiclifeonline.com
Describe your business.
Providing organic lunches for public and private schools, colleges and universities.
How have you impacted your community?
We have brought health and nutrition to the forefront of foodservice, and proven it can still be a profitable business. The giants of the foodservice industry have not had any competiton for quite some time, and we have forced them to offer healthier products to their clients.
How are you giving back to the community?
OrganicLife has made a great commitment to the schools we service throughout Chicagoland. Cooking demos, yoga programs and greenhouse implementations are just several of the community outreach programs we sponsor.
Located In: Libertyville, IL Year Founded: 2005 Year Incorporated: 2005 Sales In 2008: $995,000 Number of Employees: 5 Website:http://www.KathrynKerrigan.com
Describe your business.
Former athlete designing hard-to-find, stylish footwear for women's larger shoe sizes.
How have you impacted your community?
I'm changing the footwear industry. I am the only designer to make fashionable shoes up to women's size 16. Tall women call our office crying with joy, excitement and years of frustration after they realize that large size shoes can be CUTE!! It's an amazing feeling when a customer calls crying that for the first time in years, they can feel confident in a pair of our feminine heels!
How are you giving back to the community?
As adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, I inspire college students to live their dreams and passions. Confidence is key for me--I volunteer at youth centers and frequently give speeches to inspire other businesswomen to be confident and pursue their dreams.
Recently, I developed the OneShoe Project, which collects gently used women's shoes and donates them to women in need.
Jonathan Shriftman, Sole Bicycles
University of Southern California Making fixed-gear bikes affordable, while serving as a business that is socially responsible and keeps us healthy.
Saeb Ahsan, The Flux Co.
University of Illinois at Chicago Marrying fine art and apparel by working with leading new artists to generate and curate limited-edition wearable art.
Pete Kistler, Brand-Yourself.com
Syracuse University Online reputation management platform for job applicants to maintain a professional web presence that gets them hired.
Kristopher Priemer, Apolleau
Saint Louis University Offering purified water via refilling stations using reusable containers & local water supplies, reducing waste & saving money.
Bradley Ericson, 3SecondReceipts
Drexel University Creating digital receipts directly at the point of sale, replacing the many inconveniences of paper receipts.
University/College: University of Southern California Located In: Petaluma, CA Proposed Company Name: Sole Bicycles
Proposed Company's Business Idea
In cosmopolitan cities, a popular trend originated by the "hipster" youth of riding fixed-gear, single speed bikes has emerged. These rare bicycles are usually built piece by piece, with parts traditionally imported. Once a bike is finished, it will total an average amount that most can't afford.
Sole Bicyles will be the first mainstream provider of affordable, fully built, fixed-gear bikes, selling them through e-commerce, then shipping them directly to the consumer's door. We solve the pain for people who want these awesome track bikes, yet simply can not afford to buy one, or don't have the resources to custom-build one.
Sole Bicycles' mission is to be an innovative provider of fixed-gear bicycles, serving as the tipping point to bring a hip, socially responsible trend mainstream by offering the most competitive, fair prices, ease of purchase, all for the utmost in supreme, quality products.
University/College: University of Illinois at Chicago Located In: Markham, IL Proposed Company Name: The Flux Co.
Proposed Company's Business Idea
The Flux Co. is a crowd curating, fine art, socially responsible business venture that sells artist-inspired printed apparel. Our focus is to collaborate with artists globally in order to design a collection of original fine art printed apparel and accessories that resonate within the art community and provide a venue for quality and fashion. At present, inefficiencies exist in the local art markets, as talented artists relocate after learning from top-tier art institutions. Respected art critics and curators simply do not have the time to view the images and portfolios of the many artists, particularly the younger artists who have not yet built reputations for themselves.
This online community will crowdsource the best images rated out of popular opinion. These images will be assessed by a respected board of art critics and ultimately be printed on limited-edition apparel, starting with t-shirts, messenger bags and tote bags.
Our mission is to advocate for global creativity through working with leading new artists to generate and curate limited-edition wearable art.
University/College: Syracuse University Located In: Syracuse, NY Proposed Company Name: Brand-Yourself.com
Proposed Company's Business Idea
The web pervades every aspect of our lives. Conversations that used to happen in the physical world are now permanently captured on the web. Employers, first dates, business partners, friends, clients and recruiters are Googling you. Your future is often determined by what they find.
What a hiring manager finds when looking you up in Google can determine whether or not you get cut on the spot. This second cut saves companies time and money. In a competitive job market made worse by today`s economic crisis, applicants can no longer leave their online image to chance.
Brand-Yourself.com makes it easy for job applicants to diagnose, improve and monitor how they are perceived online. Perception is today's currency. Our tools help users establish a position of power in the job hunt by creating a clean, visible, and compelling web presence, landing them jobs that inspire their passion and productivity.
University/College: Saint Louis University Located In: South Bend, IN Proposed Company Name: Apolleau
Proposed Company's Business Idea
It is convenient, private, individual, and portable. Today's youth have grown up with thinking there is no other way to consume it. Stores on every street corner are selling it and making over 60 percent profits on it. Bottled water has become a staple in today's society and has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. The expenses incurred from the manufacturing, transporting and disposing of bottles used in bottled water are astronomical. Fossil fuels are not only used in the packaging of bottled water, but also in the shipment. Bottled water is producing not only an increased environmental concern, but is also costing Americans millions of dollars on water that is convenient.
The solution to this problem is convenient water purifying stations. Using local water supply, tap water is converted into cold, refreshing filtered water. Customers can use these stations to refill their aluminum reusable water bottles for a small fee. Scanning your membership card automatically adds the amount to your bill. No membership card? No problem. You can effortlessly sign up at the touch of a button. Forgot your refillable water container? No problem. Aluminum water bottles are available to purchase for a deposit fee. The aluminum water containers are returnable and you receive a portion of the deposit back.
University/College: Drexel University Located In: Philadelphia, PA Proposed Company Name: 3SecondReceipts
Proposed Company's Business Idea
Everyday more and more Americans become inundated with unnecessary fees, fines and debt. Over 25 percent of Americans today will not pay their bills on time this month, while 57 percent have no sort of budget for their personal finances. The cause of this problem: Americans have no way to take advantage of the technology possibilities available to help them manage their personal financial transactions in a way that's both convenient and cost-effective. The solution: 3SecondReceipts' system of software and web tools that enables the creation of a digital receipt at the point of sale, which allows the consumer to record, track and manage their offline purchases right from their personal computers.
3SecondReceipts' mission is to encourage and promote the use of digital receipts, improve practices that reduce our impact on the environment, build a more eco-friendly world, make meaningful improvements in the daily lives of consumers and, most important, benefit the stockholders and investors of our organizations by leveraging our unique software solution. Meeting these missions will ensure that 3SecondReceipts thrives and become the world's premier digital receipt implementation management corporation. At 3SecondReceipts, we are "electronically eliminating the need for Earth's resources."
In a rare appearance, Jay will take you on a personal journey on how to take a no-prisoners approach to marketing. Through a rich blend of legendary anecdotes and case histories from his career, he will explain the key differences between guerrilla marketing and traditional marketing, the 100 weapons of guerrilla marketing, prove that marketing is now a science, and delve into the personalities of successful guerrilla marketers. He'll reveal the key secrets of guerrilla marketing, the truth about online marketing, and the steps to take to earn serious profits with a guerrilla marketing attack.
In addition to the day's seminars, speakers and networking events, Growth 2.0 offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to pitch your business to Entrepreneur's editors.
Tell them why your business should be featured in Entrepreneur magazine or on Entrepreneur.com for the chance to generate the kind of attention that can increase your sales, multiply your customer base and get national recognition for your business.
Join us in honoring the Entrepreneur of 2009 award winners and gain insight from their experiences and perspectives as the leaders of growing businesses. Winners will be announced from each of three categories during this complimentary luncheon portion of the event.
Build Your Brand, Build Your Business 
3 Weeks to Startup 
How to Build a Selling System in Your Company
Internet Power Marketing
Networking Like a Pro
How to Raise Money Now
Peter H. Reynolds, FableVision, Inc.
Michelle Crumm, Adaptive Materials
Rick Alden, Skullcandy Inc.
Hugo Garcia, kmG Hauling, Inc.
Brian Fischbein, Crescent Solutions
Carmine Denisco, Bizflick.com
Kelly Giard, Clean Air Lawn Care
Ada Polla, Alchimie Forever
Jonas S. Falk, OrganicLife LLC
Kathryn Kerrigan, Kathryn Kerrigan, Inc.
Jonathan Shriftman, Sole Bicycles
Saeb Ahsan, The Flux Co.
Pete Kistler, Brand-Yourself.com
Kristopher Priemer, Apolleau
Bradley Ericson, 3SecondReceipts
