Real Time Rehab received the $30,000 check from SpiritBank and free space in the Tulsa Collaboratorium from Kanbar Properties as the grand prize winner of the 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Real Time Rehab provides physical therapists and clinicians with personalized rehabilitation programs for their patients. The programs are burned onto DVDs, providing patients with clear, step-by-step demonstrations of the exercises they need to perform to ensure a speedy and complete recovery.

Part-Time Pros, who connects degreed, experienced professionals with part-time and contract employment took 2nd place and Cog Togs Inc., came in 3rd place with a social site that lets kids trade personalized beads with their friends then connect online to a social. Part-Time Pros received a check of $5,000 and Cog Togs Inc. received a check of $2,500, both provided by Spirit Bank.

A special award new to the business model competition this year is the Skunk Whisperer Award, named after the 2007 third place winner of the Spirit Award, Ned Bruha the Skunk Whisperer. During the 2007 Spirit Awards, money was not given to second and third place winners. Although Ned didn’t receive any money, he has credited the Spirit Award as a catalyst in growing his business through the coaching and promotion received as part of his award.

The 2009 Skunk Whisperer Award recipient, Elote Café and Catering, received a six month advisory board made up of Spirit Award judges and coaches. Elote also received a visually driven game plan process graphically facilitated by Chair of the Spirit Award, Sean Griffin. Elote Café and Catering is known for their fresh innovative Mexican food in the heart of downtown Tulsa with use of local ingredients and sustainable practices.

Celebrating its third year, the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is designed to promote small business growth in Tulsa by providing networking and other business opportunities to area small businesses. Mayor Taylor announced that Tulsa Community College will be spear heading the Tulsa Spirit Award going forward as part of their ongoing commitment to growing entrepreneurialism in Tulsa. SpiritBank also announced that they would continue to sponsor the Spirit Awards going forward.

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