Tulsey Awards recognize local entrepreneurs
BY LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
Friday, November 16, 2012
11/16/12 at 4:20 AM
Entrepreneurs of all types walked away winners Thursday night during the fifth annual Tulsey Awards ceremony.
Judi Grove of Turn Tulsa Pink won the civic category and, because she received the most votes in the competition, also was awarded the Tulsey Entrepreneur of the Year. She was one of 11 award winners.
The mission of Turn Tulsa Pink is to bring to light the local grassroots charities that provide services and support to women and children affected by cancer, according to the organization's website.
The Tulsey Awards recognize the entrepreneurial heroes, pioneers and innovators of Tulsa who significantly impact the local economy.
In a ceremony at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame that somewhat mimicked the Oscars and MTV Music Awards, winners were given golden bronze Driller statuettes to recognize their entrepreneurial spirit.
Starting in September, people were invited to electronically submit nominations for several Tulsey categories. Voting for the nominees took place from Oct. 10 through Nov. 1. All entrepreneurs nominated and accepted into the public voting process were automatically entered into the Entrepreneur of the Year category.
The online contest is separate from the Tulsa Community College StartUp Cup, which is sponsored by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation - a seven-month competition that included a rigorous process in which some entries received coaching to hone their business models. Winners of the TCC StartUp Cup were announced Tuesday.
Other Tulsey Awards were given in the categories of arts and entertainment to Steve Cluck of Louis and Cluck; emerging, Kacie Frazier of Okies Rock Apparel; franchise, Joe Davidson of Oklahoma Joe's; green, Joseph Henretty of Tulsa Pedicabs; interactive, Ryan Phillips of Phillips 360.
Additional Tulseys were awarded in the category of legend to Connie McFarland of McFarland Architects; restaurateur, Cheri Asher of Coffee House on Cherry Street; serial, Carey Baker of Part-Time Pros; young, Chelsea McGuire of Take Heart Tulsa; above and beyond, Michelle Allen, City of Tulsa
"So many volunteers help throughout Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week and specifically for the Tulsey Awards," said Kristen Bergman, TulsaGEW producer. "It takes a village, and our community is a guiding light in entrepreneurship around the globe because of our culture and willingness to dive in."
More than 55,000 votes were cast for 47 nominees in this year's Tulsey Awards competition.
"I think the best part about this year's competition is that I know so few of the entrepreneurs that were nominated," Bergman said. "I think this speaks to the growth of the Tulsey Awards and diversity of our entrepreneurial community.
"We truly support and acknowledge entrepreneurs in Tulsa, and I think the Tulsey Awards is a tremendous recognition program," she said.
2012 Tulsey Award Winners
Entrepreneur of the Year: Judi Grove, Turn Tulsa Pink
Civic: Judi Grove, Turn Tulsa Pink
Arts & Entertainment: Steve Cluck, Louis and Cluck
Emerging: Kacie Frazier, Okies Rock Apparel
Franchise: Joe Davidson, Oklahoma Joe's
Green: Joseph Henretty, Tulsa Pedicabs
Interactive: Ryan Phillips, Phillips 360
Legend: Connie McFarland, McFarland Architects
Restaurateur: Cheri Asher, Coffee House on Cherry Street
Serial: Carey Baker, Part-Time Pros
Young: Chelsea McGuire, Take Heart Tulsa
Above & Beyond: Michelle Allen, City of Tulsa
Original Print Headline: Entrepreneurs get Tulseys
Laurie Winslow 918-581-8466
laurie.winslow@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Judi Grove of the Turn Tulsa Pink initiative, which raises money for breast cancer awareness, was named Tulsey Entrepreneur of the Year. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World file
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