The 2009 Tulsey Awards set a record voting, bringing in over 14,000 votes for their favorite nominee. The special Golden Driller awards recognize the pioneers and innovators of the Tulsa community. The Tulseys are publicly driven awards consisting of eleven categories: Civic, Emerging, Entertainment, Franchise, Green, Interactive, Legend, Restaurateur, Serial, Young and the Tulseys Entrepreneur of the Year. All votes were made online at the Tulseys website, www.thetulseys.com.

2009 Tulsey Winners Are:
Civic – George Kaiser, George Kaiser Family Foundation
Emerging – Melanie Henry, 918moms.com
Entertainment – Ben Sumner, Up Late with Ben Sumner
Franchise – Chester Cadieux, QuikTrip
Green – Libby Auld, Elote Café and Catering
Interactive – Natasha Ball, Tasha DoesTulsa.com
Legend – Charles Kingsley, Coney I-Lander
Restaurateur – Blake Ewing, Joe Momma’s Pizza
Serial – Gavin Manes, Avansic
Young – Jonathan Conneely, Bootcamp Tulsa
Tulsey Entrepreneur of the Year – Blake Ewing, Joe Momma’s Pizza

The Mayor’s Tulseys culminated the end of Tulsa Global Entrepreneurship Week.

2009 Tulsey Sponsors included: Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa Community College, University of Tulsa, Tulsa Metro Chamber and the Lobeck Taylor Foundation. Special Media Sponsor: Tulsa Business Journal

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.

From the more than 80 business plans, two rounds of pitching, the final seven entrepreneurs will advance to the final round of the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award business model competition. On Thursday, November 5, the seven finalists will present a two- minute pitch to the panel of Spirit Award judges.

Let’s all congratulate the final seven finalists:
Blue Label Bartending, CogTogs, Inc., Elote Café and Catering, Filters4me.com, Part-Time Pros, Real Time Rehab and Target Solution Foods.

Prior to the final pitch, the seven finalists will have the opportunity to be coached in two main areas: business model and pitching techniques, and connect to resources and expertise to help polish their business plan and pitching techniques for the final round of judging.

The 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner will receive a check from SpiritBank for $30,000, second place with $5,000 and third place with $2,500. The top three will be announced during the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award ceremony that will be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week at the TCC Center for Creativity on Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

For more information about Mayor Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, please visit the Web site at www.tulsaspiritaward.com.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 Tulsa will celebrate and recognize the pioneers and innovators of the community at the 2nd annual Tulseys Awards.

With an online nomination and voting process, local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be nominated in ten categories including: Civic, Emerging, Entertainment, Franchise, Green, Interactive, Legend, Serial, Young and the new category for 2009, Restaurateur. All entrepreneurs nominated in the public voting process will automatically be entered into the Entrepreneur of the Year

Starting Wednesday, September 16, nominations can be made through the Tulseys website, www.thetulseys.com, until Wednesday, October 7. Voting for the nominees will begin on Wednesday, October 15 and will end at midnight on Wednesday, November 4.

The Tulsey Award winners will be announced at the Tulseys celebration on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the world-famous Cain’s Ballroom from
7 – 11 p.m. Sponsorship packages are available for the event. For more information, visit www.tulseys.com

On Thursday, July 9th, Sustainable Tulsa is bringing together local restaurants, vintners and brewers for a special taste of Tulsa’s best. The 2009 Eat Local. Bite of Tulsa event will be held at the Greenwood Cultural Center, located near OSU-Tulsa, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Local restaurants include Eloté Café and Catering, The Coffee House on Cherry Street, The Living Kitchen Farm and Dairy, Lava Noshery, Cosmo Café, Local Table, Blue Dome Diner, Luna Bread, Mershon Catering and Bodean’s.

Local wineries and brewers include: Nuyaka Creek Winery, Sparks Vineyard and Winery, Summerside Vineyards and Winery, and the Marshall Brewing Company.

In addition, the evening will include enjoyable sounds from Three Penny Upright, Scott Aycock and Friends and George and Linda Barton. A raffle will be held for donations, including an overnight stay at the Canebrake resort.

Tickets are $20 and are available at the door or website, www.sustainabletulsa.org. All proceeds will benefit Sustainable Tulsa, a non-profit dedicated to responsible economic growth, environmental stewardship and quality of life for all. Sustainable Tulsa has distributed over 20,000 Tulsa Area Green Directories, promoted local foods through education and local foods events and is co-chairing the Greening the (918) series with Mayor Taylor’s Green Team.

For more information, visit www.sustainabletulsa.org or call 918.808.6576

Over 85 submissions were made to this year’s business plan competition and the top 25 are announced. They will now submit their full business plan and have a chance to present a seven minute pitch on July 8th and 9th to the panel of judges, which is comprised of area business leaders and entrepreneurs.

After the pitches are presented, the judges will identify the 12 business models that will continue on to the semi-final round. The 12 semi-finalists will then coached by area business leaders and entrepreneurs, and connected to resources and expertise to help polish their business plan and pitching techniques.

“This year the quality of entrepreneurial and small business endeavors submitted is going to challenge the judges to identify a winner. It is exciting to see the diversity of business models starting up in Tulsa and wish everyone who made it to the Top 25 great success.” Sean Griffin, 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Chair and Judge said.

On November 17, Mayor Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner will receive a check of $30,000, second place with $5,000 and third place with $2,500 each provided by SpiritBank. For more information about the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award sponsored by SpiritBank, please visit the website at www.tulsaspiritaward.com

Congratulations to the Top 25.
4BrooksDesign
Aeroleaf
Allen Athletic Consulting LLC
Beaute Purpose
Blue Label Bartending
Bootcamp Tulsa / JJC Enterprises
Cog Togs Inc.
Diaper Departure LLC
Elote Cafe & Catering
Filters4Me.com
Green Growers, Inc
Guru-YOU!
HOAtoday
Inventory Optimizations
iParkFree.com
Kids on the Clock
LTC Education Station
MintJar LLC
Mr. BodyFat LLC
NexGenData
Part-Time Pros
Reading Remedy
Real Time Rehab
Target Solution Foods
TulsaPets Magazine

A non-traditional environment for the non-traditional business start up.

Bootstrapping since the beginning, the Collaboratorium, an entrepreneurial accelerator in downtown Tulsa, has officially opened the doors and is currently accepting applications for participants. Sustainable Tulsa is the founding sponsor for the The Collaboratorium, in partnership with Kanbar Properties who are providing the office space at 111 W. 5th Street in downtown Tulsa.

The current tenants include: Grocio.com, the 2008 Mayor’s Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner, Hollywood Fitness Repair and Ping.fm.com

Entrepreneurs will be provided with office space at a discounted price, shared conference rooms, coaching opportunities, connections to entrepreneurial networks, along with access to the types of resources that encourage entrepreneurial actions and long-term success.

Numerous donations from the Tulsa community have been contributed to The Collaboratorium, including Internet and phone service from Garrett Law, office furniture from Up With Trees, L&M Office Furniture and the University of Tulsa.

With a focus on the non-traditional, “Tulsa Unique” entrepreneurs the Collaboratorium is looking for entrepreneurs with any level of business experience that possess a business model with potential. The goal of the Collaboratorium’s is to help accelerate the growth and quality of entrepreneurs and sustainable businesses.

The Collaboratorium is modeled upon the evolution of incubators and practices of Silicon Valley. The current move to entrepreneurial resource centers will accelerate and proactively improve Tulsa’s entrepreneurial success rate. Its focus is to grow entrepreneurs and businesses that make Tulsa a unique and exceptional place to live, work and play.
For more information, visit www.tulsacollab.com

Green was the theme. Biodegradable utensils and napkins. Recycled bottle centerpieces, dresses made from romance book covers and a coffee filter skirt.

On Thursday, April 16, 2009 Ihloff Salon and Day Spa hosted ReFresh Tulsa, a benefit for three local, green organizations – Sustainable Tulsa, The Mayor’s Green Team and Up With Trees.

The evening included a silent auction, hair and fashion show, local restaurants and artistis and the opportunity to learn more about other local, green organizations and businesses.

Over 20 green-friendly organizations and businesses participated in the event, including Gentle Earth Recycling, Global Gardens, Mother Nature Needs You. Harvest Solar Energy, Total Pilates, Natural Awakening Magazine, Nightingale Theater, Recycling Revolution, Sun City Solar, Sustainable Tulsa, The M.E.T, Tulsa BioFuels, Tulsa Community Garden Association, Tulsa Master Recyclers Association and Up With Trees.

In the spirit of sustainability and keeping it local, restaurants from around the Tulsa area shared tastes from their menus. Local restaurants included: Baxter’s Interurban, Elote, Joe Momma’s, Luna Bread, Dilly Deli and Oscar’s Gastro Pub.

The hair and fashion show capped the evening showcasing the styles of the Ihloff creative team and the fashions from local retailers, including Dolce Vita, Dwelling Spaces, Little Black Dress, Louis and Cluck and Ra$berry Grunt. The finale of the fashion show featured the recycled fashions created by the Ihloff Creative team.

2009 ReFresh Tulsa Sponsors included: Benham Group, Bixby Rotary Club, Elder Paint and Wallpaper South, HR Business Links, Sebis International, LLC, LandMark Resources, I&GN Resources, Inc, McFarland Davies Architects, Quality Remodeling and Construction, Inc., The M.E.T and TulsaPeople.

Everywhere you look, a new kind of energy is emerging from the Tulsa business community. On Thursday, April 2, the 3rd annual Mayor’s Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award business model competition, sponsored by SpiritBank kicked off at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

The evening celebrated with the past year’s winners including, SeekingSitters and Grocio.com. They shared their stories of growth over the past year, and how the Spirit Award has continued to support and encourage their businesses.

On June 4, 2009 the top 25 Executive Summaries will be announced and invited to their submit their full business plan. The business plans will be reviewed, and each business will have seven minutes to pitch their business model idea to the panel of Spirit Award judges on July 8 – 9, 2009.

The top 12 will be announced Thursday, July 16, and will have the opportunity to be “coached” by local business professionals on areas that they improve their pitch techniques and business plans. The top 12 will have five minutes to pitch their idea on September 12 with hopes of making it to the final seven.

The seven finalists will be announced on Sunday, September 20, 2009. For the final time, the finalists will work with the coaches to before prepare for their last pitch, which is only two minutes, to the panel of judges.

The winners of the Spirit Award will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Tuesday, November 17, 2009. SpiritBank will present checks to the winners: $30,000 for first place, $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third place.

So what are you waiting for Tulsa? Unleash your Big Idea!

The call to entries are open, business executive summaries can be submitted to the website, www.tulsaspiritaward.com until 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2009.

Need more reasons to enter the 2009 Mayor Taylor’s Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award? Check out the top ten list at www.tulsabusiness.com

Going “green” is no longer a growing trend in communities, but has become a way of living. Many organizations in the Tulsa community have been working to improve and encourage our city to be a more sustainable, green place to live. Sustainable Tulsa is one of the organizations making a difference throughout the Tulsa area. (more…)