CONGRATULATIONS GWYN EDWARDS!

DC-Based Caterer Recognized for Perseverance

The Organization for Entrepreneurial Development is pleased to announce that the third quarter winner of the OED 500 is Gwyn Edwards, founder of Sweety’s Last Minute Catering of Washington DC. The OED 500 is a quarterly small business contest started as a way to recognize the flexibility, resourcefulness, and at times extreme measures displayed by American small businesses during our country’s recession. Hit hard by the recession like many small business owners, Ms. Edwards has preserved through the creativity and determination that is the hallmark of entrepreneurship.

“Gwyn has been in business over ten years, demonstrating tenacity to pull through the last prior downturn and this most recent economic turmoil,” stated Brian Marshall, an OED Trustee. “Like so many businesses, her business is a service-based business that many will see as a non-justifiable expense in recessions. By retooling how she presents her services, she has sought to maintain revenues. Changes in suppliers have assisted in cost containment as rising food costs were further chipping into her bottom line.”

Ms. Edwards formed Sweety’s Last Minute Catering in 1999, when an attractive opportunity presented itself. Spurred into entrepreneurship, she says she believes in, “starting out with a firm, well planned and well thought out footing.” Ms. Edwards explained, “I began my business in response to an opportunity and did not begin reviewing growth opportunities or making growth and expansion plans until I realized the initial opportunity could shrink as well as it could grow.  I would counsel others to actually perform 3,6,12, month and 2 year analyses and put plans into place to usher their small businesses thru growth or shrinkage periods and thru tough or not so tough times.”

“They are the drivers of the United State’s economy. The entrepreneurial spirit is vital to our country’s history and to our economy. “Small businesses account for 80% of all jobs in the United States,” said Mr. Marshall. “It is widely regarded that this nation’s economy can not recover without small business recovery. We support the entrepreneurs who have struggled, who have struggled through credit crunches and down sales. They are working though and pushing through to survive, stabilize, and then thrive. In OED’s mind, that needs to be recognized. Business owners like Gwyn need to be recognized for the dedication needed to overcome these challenges.”

The next round of applicants will be accepted beginning October 15, 2010. Awards are open to all types of small businesses ready to share their story of creative cost reductions or sales adjustments that have helped them weather this economy. Submission deadline is November 30, 2010 with announcement to be made December 15, 2010. To be placed on invite list for application, please sign on to  http://www.oedmembers.org