FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Judy Mahan, SBDC Director
DATE: 8/28/20 Phone: (805) 756-5171
Email: JMahan@CalPoly.edu
Pashion Footwear and Wildnote Win 2020 SBA Small Business Awards
San Luis Obispo, CA: Pashion Footwear has won the “2020 Rising Star Business of the Year” award and Wildnote has won the “Technology Business of the Year” award from the Central CA SBDC Network for their significant business achievements. They were nominated for the Small Business Award by the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Small Business Development Center, which serves San Luis Obispo County.
Pashion Footwear: The Small Business Administration (SBA) ‘Rising Star’ award recognizes business owners under 30 for their significant achievements. Pashion Footwear is an innovative fashion-tech startup that has created the world’s first fully convertible heels, and was founded in 2016 by then-20 year old, Haley Pavone, a junior at Cal Poly University. Pavone had grown tired of constantly dealing with the pain and inconvenience of high heels, but didn’t want to give them up, as they were an essential style staple for her professional and formal wardrobe. She dreamed up the creative “2-shoes-in-one” solution, and launched her company while still a full time student. The company has been featured in Forbes, The Ellen Show, and Buzzfeed (PashionFootwear.com).
Wildnote: Founded by CEO Kristen Hazard in 2017, Wildnote is a powerful Field Data Collection app for environmental professionals that provides field data collection and management software for Construction Compliance, Wetland Delineation, and Cultural Resource Management projects. Field data can be collected accurately and efficiently, even offline; seamlessly organize survey photos and record GPS metadata; and easily generate agency reports in the required formats. They have won multiple awards for their innovative products (WildNoteapp.com).
Both companies credit their success in large part to the assistance they received from the Cal Poly CIE SBDC. “We were honored to have both these companies win awards,” says Cal Poly CIE Economic Development and SBDC Director Judy Mahan. “It has been a pleasure working with them, and having them take advantage of our team of expert consultants that provide a full range of no-cost services to start-ups and existing companies across a diverse array of industries. It is always so rewarding to help a company grow and succeed.”
“This yearly event recognizes the critical impact small businesses have on our local economies and celebrates the outstanding accomplishments made by each of our award recipients,” says Central CA SBDC Regional Director Kurt Clark. “Their achievements exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of the U.S.”
Since 2003, the Central CA SBDC has assisted thousands of companies, from start-ups to established firms with no-cost consulting services, workshops and assistance in sourcing funds. This has helped to create and retain over 10,000 jobs, as well as creating more the $435 million in loans and equity. The Central CA SBDC and its five dedicated satellite Centers serve 14 counties in Central California: San Luis Obispo, San Benito, Monterey, Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Tulare, Kern, Mono and Inyo Counties.
For more information about the award recipients and the Cal Poly CIE SBDC, visit sbdc.calpoly.edu. To speak with Judy Mahan, call (805) 756-5171 or e-mail JMahan@CalPoly.edu.
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