On April 15th I was an "Emerald Entrepreneur" honoree at the Irish Echo's inaugural Top 50 Small Business Awards. I was blown away to be in the company of such prestigious members of the Irish business community.
Starting my life in Ireland, I quickly immersed myself in the rich, hardworking culture that Ireland breeds. This culture was important during the early days of Gentle Giant, when I was still wrapping my head around the potential of the business. All I knew back then was I liked working hard, and I was making myself and my customers happy.
When the company began to grow, I made the next most important business decision of my life: Surround myself with good people that cared about Gentle Giant as much as I did. I was smart enough to know that I needed help, and these talented individuals are still with me today. That is just as important to me as any number in a quarterly report.
It was a joy to be in New York City to attend the Irish Echo's Irish Small Business 50, which honored "entrepreneurs and business leaders who form the backbone of the American economy: the doers and risk-takers who have ensured that, where businesses are being built and wealth created, there you will find the Irish. Our honorees are companies or individuals who have displayed entrepreneurial excellence and traditional Irish-American determination to make their businesses succeed."
What a great honor and an even better black and white picture of you getting started in the business. On behalf of the extended GG family, I congratulate you Larry...larry...larry!
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