2025 AWARDS
BE RECOGNIZED FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACTIF THERE’S ONE THING WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT, IT’S
Recognizing people and organizations doing great things
We invite you to join us for an in-person Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Pensacola Little Theatre.
Doors open at 4:30 pm, with appetizers sponsored by Sonny’s BBQ and drinks. Ceremony starts at 5:15 pm.
The 2025 EntreCon® Awards are meant to recognize the achievements and economic impact leaders and businesses have on a community.
The categories aim to honor businesses at every stage in their life cycle, from start-ups to large corporations.
We are honored to welcome our special guest speaker, Jason Crawford, partner at One in a Row Ventures, to this year’s award ceremony, which takes place on the meaningful day of Veteran’s Day.
Jason combines combat-proven leadership with entrepreneurial excellence. A decorated U.S. Army Infantry veteran with tours in South Korea, Bosnia, and Iraq, he earned his MBA from the University of West Florida. As CEO of IRIS – Intelligent Retinal Imaging Systems, Jason achieved FDA approval and led the company to rank among Inc. Magazine’s Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies with 966% growth. He serves on the UWF Foundation Board and lives in Pensacola with his wife Heather and three daughters.
Jason will share reflections that celebrate not only the achievements of tonight’s honorees but also the spirit of service and dedication that this day represents.
Thanks to 35Mules for Sponsoring
EntreCon® Awards!
Rodney Jackson Minority-Owned Business of the Year
This award recognizes a minority-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
2025 Winner:
- The Dawson Company
2025 Runner Up:
- InHer Physique Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year
This award recognizes a veteran-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
2025 Winner:
- From the Mind of Elrico Tunstall Studios
2025 Runner Up:
- Mind Body & Soul Medical
Female Owned Business of the Year
This award recognizes a female-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement while showing social responsibility, creativity, and leadership; all to improve and grow the community.
2025 Winner:
- Alla Prima Coffee Roaster
2025 Runner Up:
- The Farm
Emerging Business of the Year
This award is open to businesses who have started in the last two years and have had success introducing their product or service. Businesses recognized in this category are run by great leadership, show a promising vision for the future, and have created a mission statement that aligns with their core values.
2025 Winner:
- Rocket Drones
2025 Runner Up:
- Code Ninjas
Small Business of the Year
This award is open to businesses who have less than 50 employees that focus on employee inclusion, community involvement and innovation in their business practices. Businesses considered for this award can clearly explain what makes their product or service unique, how they measure success and what opportunities they provide their employees
2025 Winner:
- Hanto + Clarke General Contractors, LLC
2025 Runner Up:
- Emerald Coast IV Hydration and Wellness
Large Business of the Year
This award is open to businesses who have more than 50 employees that has been adaptable to change over the past year, has displayed economic growth, and provides opportunities for their employees to improve their skills in an ever-changing environment.
2025 Winner:
- Landrum HR Solutions
2025 Runner Up:
- Emergency Care Partners
Non-Profit of the Year
This award recognizes a non-profit organization that shows dedication for improving the quality of life in the community through volunteering, partnerships, or fundraising. Winners will be able to share how they have effectively used these skills to further their mission and improve the community.
2025 Winner:
- Health & Hope Clinic
2025 Runner Up:
- The Arc Gateway
Entrepreneur of the Year
This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has a creative product or service that solves a problem in the marketplace. They are highly ambitious, serve as community leaders, and work to improve the quality of life for others.
2025 Winner:
- Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate
2025 Runner Up:
- InHer Physique Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
Employer of the Year
This award is for businesses with an outstanding and supportive work environment with a focus on great training programs, an understanding of work-life balance, and career progression. Employers recognized in this category inspire and motivate their growing, diverse staff with equal opportunity programs.
2025 Winner:
- Emergency Care Partners
2025 Runner Up:
- Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate
Excellence in Mentorship
This award recognizes a person who is dedicated to helping others through mentoring. Their level of experience affords them the ability to have a significant impact on the professional development and career advancement of those they mentor.
2025 Winner:
- Jerry Jackson
John Myslak Award for Servant Leader
This award is given to a leader who enriches the lives of others, builds better organizations and ultimately helps create a more just and caring world. That is what our friend and colleague John Myslak did in our community, and we honor his memory by recognizing others who live their lives as fully as he did.
2025 Winner:
- Pete Lauter