Winners Of Entrepreneur® Magazine’s 2008 Entrepreneur Of The Year Contest Announced

Irvine, California (November 25, 2008) – The launch of the inaugural Entrepreneur^® magazine’s 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year contest presented by The UPS Store^® culminates with the announcement of winners Devon Rifkin, founder of the Great American Hanger Company, and Glenn Robertelli, founder of Intelligen. They will be presented the titles of Entrepreneur of the Year and Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, respectively, at the upcoming Growth 2.0 Conference.

Both winners’ impacts on their industries, communities and employees exemplify the true spirit of entrepreneurship. At 25, Rifkin began his company through telephone market research and a global trip to learn about the hanger business. Nine years later, his Miami-based The Great American Hanger Company has revolutionized the industry, bringing high-quality hangers to the public. Each year, 17 million hangers are sold by the $9.6 million business.

Rifkin’s philosophy from day one has been that associates (he never calls them employees) come first. He refers to his company as “ours,” not “mine,” and knows his time is more important than cash when it comes to the community work he’s passionate about.

The Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year, Glenn Robertelli, not only created a business that competes with a corporate giant, but he’s also done so completely on his own with a virtual, 99 percent paperless office. He started Intelligen in October 2006, which makes ViewGuard privacy filters. He’s since broadened his product line and estimates 2008 sales at $2.8 million.

“These entrepreneurs represent so many of the innovative, passionate and inspired business owners propelling our economy forward,” says Amy Cosper, VP/editor-in-chief at Entrepreneur. “We’re excited to recognize their contributions as a reflection of those made by so many entrepreneurs across the nation today.”

“The UPS Store is proud to team up with Entrepreneur magazine to recognize and celebrate the achievements of today’s entrepreneurial leaders,” says Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store. “Our thousands of franchises are run by small-business owners themselves, so it’s very important for us to support our fellow entrepreneurs by sponsoring events such as the Growth 2.0 Conference.” 

Rifkin and Robertelli were chosen as finalists from a pool of hundreds of entrants after a review of everything from their company’s financials to their volunteer programs. Their entries were evaluated first by the Entrepreneur editorial team and then by a panel of judges. Five finalists in each category were presented to the public in July for voting on Entrepreneur.com, leading to Rifkin and Robertelli as the winners.

Both of their entrepreneurial experiences and insights can be heard first hand at the Growth 2.0 Conference to be held on December 9, 2008, at the Long Beach Convention Center. This one-day, complimentary event will also feature keynote speaker Robert Kiyosaki, sessions on growth strategies led by a variety of small-business experts, and many networking opportunities. Attendance is free with online registration at www.entrepreneur.com/growthconference. Attendees will receive a Business Success Kit with a donation of a new children’s book to the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, a new initiative of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and The UPS Store. For more information, visit www.toysfortotsliteracy.org.

About The UPS Store
The UPS Store retail locations are franchised by Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. Together The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.^® locations comprise the world's largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal and business service centers, with nearly 6,000 locations around the world. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. Outside the United States, locations are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com.

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