The BBB Spark Award recognizes entrepreneurs age 35 and younger with a new business across Northeast Ohio.
These businesses must be less than three years old and demonstrate a high level of character, generate a culture that is authentic about its mission, and embed social impact into their business model to support their community. Read more about what that means below.
Leaders must be teachable and open to growing with ideas. The journey to wisdom does not have one path, but many paths to be explored when a person desires to exhibit strong ethics. Leaders habitually seek the truth, are open to criticism, and know that their own personal development is never complete. Ethical maturity cultivates an environment that promotes higher standards of better business practices and a mutual understanding that each employee has control over their own character.
Purposeful teams have clear visions while being honest and transparent with their members. Beneficial workplace cultures help teams work toward their goals and establish guidelines that hold each member, including leadership, accountable while praising valuable team players. As a result, successful teams are able to create structures, adapt to change, and continually encourage opportunities for all staff members. Progressive cultures set ethical ways for a business to problem solve, resolve conflict, and inspire evolution.
Admirable entrepreneurial organizations show appreciation for their communities by enthusiastically giving back. Businesses should eagerly support their communities by contributing to their industry membership standards organizations, and encouraging an ethical marketplace. Community-inspired businesses help their environment, stakeholders and community membership by reinvesting and volunteering.
The winner will be recognized at BBB's Celebration of Integrity! Additionally, recipients will be recognized at the LaunchHouse Bootstrap Bash, presented by LaunchHouse and the Cleveland Jewish News.
