InterWorks CEO wins Tulsa small business award

BY LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
5/15/12 at 10:45 AM

A smiling and surprised Behfar Jahanshahi, president and CEO of technology and consulting firm InterWorks Inc., accepted an award Monday as the 2012 Small Business Person of the Year.

Jahanshahi and several others entrepreneurs were recognized during the Tulsa Metro Chamber's 2012 Crystal Star Small Business Awards luncheon at the Tulsa Convention Center.

The Crystal Star awards are presented each year to small businesses that represent vision, innovation and dedication, traits deemed critical to improving the Tulsa regional economy.

Award presenter Barrett Waller, president and CEO of Waller & Company Public Relations, noted how Jahanshahi has helped guide his company to growth and success through superb leadership and innovation.

"This business leader we honor today has always placed an emphasis on company culture, and he provides a dynamic and fun work environment for his highly skilled workforce," Waller said.

Founded in Stillwater in 1996, the company today also has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City as well as remote workers in Kansas City, Kan., and Dallas.

InterWorks started with computer networking and technical support services but has expanded into Web strategy, business intelligence and software development to meet the growing needs of its clients.

Last fall, InterWorks ranked No. 1,809 on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, according to the company's website.

"Wow. I was not quite expecting this," Jahanshahi said upon receiving his award. "No one told me to prepare a speech. Thank you to the chamber and everyone involved in making this happen."

Jahanshahi said he didn't necessarily set out with the goal of starting a business, although he knew it was in the realm of possibility.

The company actually got its start while Jahanshahi was a sophomore at Oklahoma State University.

"I had always been into technology," he said. "My friends and I played video games all the time.

"And back in the day you couldn't just go buy a wireless router at this store and hook everything up. If we wanted to do it, we had to do all ourselves.

"We had to open the computers up, put the parts in. If we wanted to run cables through the computer, we had to do it ourselves. ... I loved doing it."

Jahanshahi said that at some point, he thought, "Why not do this for other people."

"All of my friends and different business owners were asking for IT help. And so, one thing just sort of led to another. We started partnering up with local stores."

The business performs IT consulting all over the country, but a big portion is done in Oklahoma, he said.

Jahanshahi credits the company's people and its environment for its success.

"The people we bring in are incredibly passionate," he said. "They're what make InterWorks grow. At the end of the day, we're a professional services firm, so it's the people that truly make it a success"

In his keynote speech, Paul Corson, the acting director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, thanked all entrepreneurs in attendance at the luncheon and praised startups, which have helped create jobs over the last couple of decades.

"The nation is in difficult times, and we do what it takes to survive," Corson said. "We continually compete for innovative ideas and services. We want to maintain our competitive and innovative edge globally. We must not only create new businesses, but we must support their growth."

Corson talked about how four types of capital - financial, human, intellectual property and physical - are crucial to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

He commended Tulsa's efforts to help promote innovation and entrepreneurship, including an annual entrepreneurial competition, Tulsa Community College's Launch program for entrepreneurs, Cowboy Bootcamp for Entrepreneurs, i2E, The Collaboratorium and Fab Lab, as well as efforts by the Tulsa Metro Chamber to help small business.

"You in Tulsa are walking the walk, not just talking the talk," Corson said.

"These initiatives provide a nurturing environment for people to share their ideas, while benefiting from the experience and wisdom of others.

"They not only generate excitement, but they alleviate some of those fears and help people to deal with some of their doubts that they have to confront before launching their business."

Learn more about InterWorks at the company website.

2012 Small Business Awards

Family-Owned Business: Amy Bates, owner of Merry Maids Tulsa

The company, which employs 38 professionals, has provided professional home-cleaning services to the Tulsa metro since 1983, when the owner's family purchased the franchise.

The company also partners with the Alzheimer's Association to provide free, in-home cleaning services to caregivers. In 2008, the franchise was awarded the National Sales Growth Leader award at the company's national conference.

Website: merrymaidstulsametro.com

Financial Services Champion: Donnie Cox, executive vice president of lending, Summit Bank

Cox provides guidance to startups and established businesses alike. He is active in community volunteer work with several organizations and has advocated for small business through supporting legislation that affects the small business community.

Website: summitbankok.com

Home-Based Business Champion: David White, founder and owner of Hathaway 51

Through his home-based company, White works to educate business owners on how to minimize their costs for credit card processing and helps them do it with safety and security. He has worked in merchant services for a decade, and currently is serving hundreds of clients in more than 40 states.

Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year: Tim Jackson, founder and owner of Jackson Technical

Jackson, who has provided IT support for area small businesses for more than a decade, is an advocate for small business and military veterans.

He developed a foundation in computer technologies while serving in the Army, where he worked as a cryptographic equipment repair technician. He started his business in 1999 and now has a staff of eight technicians and one technical services manager. Two of the firm's employees are veterans.

Website: jacksontechnical.com

Women in Business Champion: Teri Aulph, owner of Teri Aulph Consulting LLC

Aulph is a published author and business consultant who provides human resources expertise based on more than 15 years of experience and success. She serves as a coach and mentor for women in business and volunteers to help strengthen the role of women business owners. Aulph also developed and implemented a program at a local elementary school that focuses on developing business and leadership skills and experience.

Website: teriaulph.com

Young Entrepreneur: John Davey, co-owner, Andolini's Pizzeria

In the last five years, Davey and his business partners have doubled their restaurant's annual revenue. The business began with fewer than two dozen employees and now has more than 100. Future plans include the addition of a third restaurant.

Website: andopizza.com

Tulsa Metro Chamber Entrepreneurial Success: Don Thornton, owner of Don Thornton Automotive Group

Thornton started his career in automotive sales in the 1960s after serving in the Air Force. He owns multiple dealerships, selling brands ranging from Cadillac and Lexus to Land Rover and Audi.

Website: donthorntoncadillac.com

Small Business Pioneer: Lynda Wingo, executive director and owner of Miss Helen's Private School

Wingo is a longtime volunteer at the Tulsa Metro Chamber and with the chamber's small business council. She also has been the co-captain of the top-producing team in the chamber's Resource Campaign for nine years.

Wingo was a critical part of the leadership team that formed the Governor's Conference on Small Business for 2011.

Website: misshelens.com

Original Print Headline: Person of honor

Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com

Associated Images:

Behfar Jahanshahi, president of tech company InterWorks Inc., accepts the Small Business Person of the Year award Monday from Tulsa Metro Chamber officials. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World

Paul Corson, acting director of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, addresses the awards luncheon on Monday. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World