Kelowna entrepreneur, Kristy Carruthers has been announced as a finalist for the Stevie Awards for women in business.
Carruthers, nominated in the category of female entrepreneur of the year - business products- 10 or less employees; started her company, Proforma Inspired Promotions in 2014 after having her second child. The single mother was looking for a career where she could put down roots for her family and become part of a community after working on cruise ships.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœMy struggle was being a single mother with two young kids, running a business, building it and making it all work. It was a unique challenge but it91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s also motivation. The things that make it difficult make it worthwhile.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ
Now Carruthers business has taken off, since 2015 the company has grown 450 per cent.
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91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœWhat I love about what we do is that we help them (clients) build their brand by building good feelings. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s about giving gifts and building good will. I think that is such a great way to advertise and build awareness of your company and that is my favourite part. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s about finding the right item to send that message. We get some of the strangest requests, someone just asked for lightsabers.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ
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Carruthers is bringing her ten year old daughter to the awards party on Nov. 16 in New York City.
91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵœIt91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s pretty exciting and a little humbling. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s a big honour and in my particular industry is fairly male dominated and nice to be nominated. I think anything that encourages or highlights women in any industry is great.91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ
The Stevie Award is a premier business award which honours and generates public recognition of the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs and the organizations they run. nominations are judged by many of the world91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s most respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and business educators.
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