In good company: by seeking success on their own terms, our 2008 nominees share a common goal.

Now in its 13th year, our annual Small Business Awards highlight companies or entrepreneurs that are exceeding, excelling, and enlightening the free enterprise space. The winners will be announced at the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo, hosted by General Motors, May 14-17, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will be featured in an upcoming issue of BE.

EMERGING COMPANY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

This award recognizes businesses that have poised themselves for growth by carving out a special niche or by adopting creative marketing techniques,

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Aten Solutions Inc.

TYPE OF BUSINESS Clinical trials and research

CEO/PRESIDENT LeahBrown

LOCATION Cary, NC

www.atensolutions.com

There's no room for error. Just ask Leah Brown. Her company, Aten Solutions Inc., oversees clinical trials for global biotech and pharmaceutical companies as well as academic and governmental research centers. Launched in 2004, the company, which specializes in clinical research, clinical data management, statistical programming, and biostatistics, is steadily carving out a place in the nearly $650 billion global pharmaceutical market. Revenues in 2007 were $3.2 million. With a current staff of 61 handling various clinical trails, Brown, 44, anticipates 2008 to be an even bigger year for her enterprise, projecting $7 million by year-end. The company's clients include Merck, GlaxoSmithKline, and Johnson & Johnson, among others.

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Spectra L.L.C.

TYPE OF BUSINESS Automotive manufacturing and engineering

CO-CHAIRMAN/CO-FOUNDERS Michael & Carlton Guthrie

LOCATION Detroit

www.detroitchassis.com

Brothers Carlton and Michael Guthrie are the consummate serial entrepreneurs. The two once headed Trumark Inc., a Lansing, Michigan-based metal stamping company that once ranked among the BE 100s. That company was sold in 2001. Now, the duo is poised to re-enter the list with another company. Spectra L.L.C., a holding company formed in 2002, assembles and modifies motor home chassis, other recreational vehicles, and hybrid and electric vehicles for automakers including Ford and Mercedes-Benz. One operating company performs process engineering (streamlining assembly lines) for clients such as Procter & Gamble. The company reported revenues of roughly $20 million in 2007.

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Sundial Group

TYPE OF BUSINESS Fragrance and body products

CEO/FOUNDER Richelieu Dennis

PRESIDENT/COO Nyema Tubman

PARTNER/CHIEF BRANDING OFFICER Emmet Dennis

LOCATION Amityville, NY

www.sundialbrands.com

With more than 50 employees, Richelieu Dennis, Nyema Tubman, and Emmet Dennis have transformed Sundial into the go-to source for culturally authentic organic skin and haircare products, which they create, manufacture, and distribute. With more than 16 years in business, the $10 million enterprise sports a client list that includes some of the biggest names in retail such as Macy's, J.C. Penney, and Target.

In 2000, they opened their flagship store, Nubian Heritage, in Brooklyn, New York, and later opened a second location in Harlem. Sundial also owns a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Amityville, New York. Remembering their African roots, the entrepreneurs purchase raw materials directly from women cooperatives and farmers in Africa.

BUSINESS INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

This award recognizes companies that have set trends and broken new ground in a particular industry.

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Inspired By Nedia Group Inc.

TYPE OF BUSINESS Faith-based products and services

PRESIDENT/CEO Ron Belk

LOCATION North Hollywood, CA

www.inspiredby.com

Ron Belk and his team oversaw an ambitious undertaking--making the Bible come alive. With the help of nearly 400 of the most celebrated black actors, actresses, musicians, media personalities, and clergy, Inspired By Media Group produced a fully dramatized audio recording of the Today's New International Version (TNTV) of the Bible.

Created in partnership with Zondervan Books, one of the biggest names in Christian publishing, Inspired By ... The Bible Experience offers listeners an eloquent, spiritual journey with the help of Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, and Cuba Gooding Jr., among others, who lent their voices to the project. Besides offering both the Old and New Testaments on CDs, The Bible Experience is available in a MP3 version, on preloaded iPods or as a downloadable files.

The 10-employee company saw sales of $12 million in 2007 and anticipates $18 million for 2008 from The Bible Experience alone, which is already the No. 1 selling audio Bible in history. Belk, 37, has plans to reach a wider audience in the years ahead by launching The Bible Experience in several forms including a collection of digitally animated stories, a video game, and a rendition of the project with notable Hispanic celebrities.

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Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc.

TYPE or BUSINESS Digital entertainment, media development and publishing

PRESIDENT/CEO Jacqueline Beauchamp

LOCATION Baton Rouge, LA

www.nerjyzed.com

Thanks to Jacqueline Beauchamp's Nerjyzed Entertainment, eager fans don't have to wait for fall to enjoy the HBCU football experience. Black College Football Xperience captures the heart of this culture with everything from action-packed football to high-stepping dram majors to soul-stirring band battles. Founded in 2003, Nerjyzed Entertainment publishes high-quality digital animation, video games, and films for the urban market segment.

Feeling a need to address the lack of video games featuring black colleges, Beauchamp, 45, and three colleagues raised the $8 million needed for startup capital to launch the company. The Black College Football Xperience enjoys considerable success in the home PC gaming sector. Revenues for 2007 were $2 million. Nerjyzed Entertainment is positioning Black College Football Xperience as a unique game on the market. Its subsidiaries include Nerjyzed Game Studios, Nerjyzed Film Studio, and N-ER-Sound Music Production. The company projects 2008 revenues surpass $10 million due to Beauchamp's opening up the playing field with not only the video game's system compatibility, but also other projects such as a documentary highlighting the legacy of HBCUs.

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Robin Wilson Home

TYPE OF BUSINESS Renovation, project management and design firm

CEO/PRESIDENT Robin Wilson

LOCATION New York City

www.robinwilsonhome.com

Design and lifestyle expert Robin Wilson is right at home within her industry, which is why she had no problem cleaning it up. Wilson revolutionized the design industry by implementing a more efficient process for homeowners.

Launched in 2000, Robin Wilson Home, a New York City-based design firm, brings its efficiency expertise to clients through project management--the core of the company. Besides identifying overinflated estimates and holding contractors accountable, the firm works with the clients to pre-plan projects as well as uses a customized Web-based construction management software. With four full-time employees, Wilson aims for profits of more than $1 million by year-end.

In addition, the 37-year-old also offers consumers The Nest Store (www.theneststore.com), an online marketplace offering eco-friendly and eco-healthy signature furniture pieces and home decor, made from a variety of materials including concrete, organic cotton, and mango wood. Though launched in January, the site already averages 9,000 hits per month. Wilson hopes to see the Nest Store's sales grow to at least $250,000 for its first year.

RISING STAR AWARD NOMINEES

This award recognizes individuals, ages 21-35 whose outstanding skills, professionalism, and perseverance have established them as future business leaders.

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Artyce Designs

TYPE OF BUSINESS Shoe manufacturer and distributor

PRESIDENT/CEO Candra Palmer

LOCATION LOS Angeles

www.artycedesigns.com

All that glitters isn't gold, but it may be Swarovski crystals. Los Angeles-based Artyce Designs is solidifying its place in the niche market of customized women's shoes and offering women the ultimate say in what goes on their feet. The unique experience allow clients the opportunity to "build" their shoes, selecting height, material, embellishments, and comfort. Sizes range from 6 to 13 and custom tailoring is provided to ensure a perfect fit.

Chicago native Candra Palmer founded Artyce in 2002 and since then, the three-employee company has seen steady growth. In 2007, revenues reached $350,000. Palmer projects that revenues for 2008 will near the $500,000 mark as the company gains more media exposure and, ultimately, additional clients and partnerships. The company has partnerships with area hotels to offer Artyce Designs' "bridal shower shoe party package" among their event hosting menus. With plans to launch franchise stores around the country, Palmer is proving her mettle as both a designer and entrepreneur-taking this niche market over one step at a time.

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Lucid Enterprises L.L.C.

TYPE OF BUSIINESS Beverage manufacturer & distributor

PRESIDENT Derek Halliman

LOCATION Atlanta

www.misth2o.com

Though it isn't the fountain of youth, Mist H20 is definitely a refreshing new venture.