U-Haul is a finalist for the Spirit of Enterprise Awards recognizing Arizona’s best companies and entrepreneurs for creating jobs, boosting the economy and delivering great customer service.
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, now in its 21st year of spotlighting exceptional local businesses, recognizes 15 finalists across five categories.
U-Haul is a finalist for the Special Achievement in Entrepreneurship Award. Celebrating its 50th anniversary as a Phoenix-headquartered operation, the iconic 72-year-old company presented its U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 program as a focal point for its Special Achievement nomination.
The new self-service program offers live online verification and around-the-clock availability of moving trucks. It was introduced in 2017 at more than 21,000 network locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Stuart Shoen, Executive Vice President and head of the U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 program, made the pitch before the Spirit of Enterprise Awards panel.
“Each year, we honor Arizona companies that embody the core values of Spirit: energy, ethics and excellence in entrepreneurship,” Tara Montoya, program manager of the Center for Entrepreneurship at the W. P. Carey School of Business, noted in a prepared statement. “These companies positively impact our communities with their strong business ethics and positive work cultures that drive our local economy. They serve as role models for aspiring entrepreneurs. We are proud to celebrate their entrepreneurial success.”
The winners will be announced at a luncheon on Nov. 16 in Scottsdale. Congratulations, U-Haul!
2017 Spirit of Enterprise Awards Finalists
The Special Achievement in Entrepreneurship Award
U-Haul International Inc. (Phoenix): A do-it-yourself moving and self-storage company with a network of more than 21,000 locations across North America.
Digital Air Strike (Scottsdale): A consumer engagement company providing software and managed service platforms for social media as well as digital marketing.
Decibel Blue (Tempe): A firm that specializes in digital, marketing, advertising, and public relations.
The BBVA Compass Innovation in Entrepreneurship Award
Print.Save.Repeat. (Chandler): Manufacturer and on-line seller of laser printer toner cartridges as well as label solutions for businesses, under the brand name IdentiCo Label.
Emailage (Chandler): Provider of email risk assessment, using machine learning algorithms and fraud data to generate a risk score of any online transaction where an email address is provided.
HomeSmart International (Scottsdale): A residential real estate firm using new technology to make life easier for the agent and also for the brokerage.
The Social Impact Award
SWIMkids USA (Mesa): A swim school that provides lessons to infants, children and adults, and also teaches drowning prevention awareness.
Isagenix International LLC (Gilbert): A health and wellness company that manufactures and markets nutritional products, dietary supplements as well as personal care products.
Sutra Studios (Phoenix): A family-operated yoga, barre, pilates and meditation studio that’s also an art gallery and juice bar.
The Chuck Hahn Emerging Enterprise Award
Notebowl Inc. (Scottsdale): A social learning platform that simplifies classroom management and communication for universities and colleges across the country.
Stream Logistics (Scottsdale): A boutique logistics company that specializes in trucking coordination and also transportation service for various trailer types.
EndoVantage (Scottsdale): A virtual patient treatment planning center where medical procedures and devices are tested prior to surgery.
The Gary L. Trujillo Minority Enterprise Award, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Minority Enterprise Award
Bayless Health Care (Phoenix): A health care company providing family medicine, behavioral health, addiction treatment, and also social services.
Sentinel Fence and Contracting (Scottsdale): A specialty contractor that installs hard security for government facilities, correctional institutions, airports as well as other large projects.
NextNet Partners (Tempe): An information technology consulting company with diverse clients ranging from healthcare, finance and mobile communications.
National Founder of the Year
Heidi Jannenga, co-founder and president of WebPT will also be honored as the 2017 Spirit of Enterprise National Founder of the Year.
Finally, visit www.wpcarey.asu.edu/research/entrepreneurship/soe-event for more on the SOE Awards and Nov. 16 luncheon.
