Palm Springs, CA, November 13, 2022 — Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Holly Thaggard, Founder, and Amanda Baldwin, CEO of Supergoop! were named the Entrepreneur of the year® 2022 Overall National Award Winners. The Entrepreneur of the Year program has honored and elevated the unstoppable and daring entrepreneurs who think big and act boldly to transform our world for nearly four decades.
Holly and Amanda were selected by an independent jury of 206 regional Entrepreneur of the Year winners from 190 companies across the United States. Together, Holly and Amanda are fighting skin cancer and scaling Supergoop! by calling on investors and dermatologists to create a whole new category: a lifestyle brand dedicated to sunscreen.
“Recognizing and celebrating ambitious leaders who are disrupting markets and reshaping industries while improving lives is at the very heart of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award,” said Andrew (AJ) Jordan, EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Americas. Director. “Holly and Amanda have stood out in an extremely competitive industry by demonstrating an uncanny ability to create and market SPF-enhanced skincare and beauty products in a way that inspires consumers to use them. The mission-driven duo has developed a booming business built on trying to save lives. They exemplify the values of the program and we are very pleased to celebrate them as winners of the 2022 National Entrepreneur of the Year Award.”
When Holly learned that her best friend had been diagnosed with skin cancer in her 20s, she made it her mission to reduce the risk of skin cancer from one in five to one in 5,000. Holly knew that the best way to change consumer behavior was to create healthy habits by teaching young children the importance of protecting their skin from the sun. She also realized she needed help taking her business to the next level, recruiting Amanda, a CEO with significant marketing experience in the cosmetics industry. Today, Supergoop! offers more than 40 skin care and beauty products with SPF that support daily sun care. The company sells through its own direct-to-consumer website and through retail partners, as well as in 12 countries, including Canada, China and the United Kingdom.
The company continues to be mission-driven and its size now funds its donation program, Ounce by Ounce, which distributes free sunscreen to schools and allows it to work with various stakeholders in government and others nonprofit organizations to ensure solar safety, especially among children and underserved populations.
In addition to Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin, EY US recognized 10 other national Entrepreneur of the Year winners from nine companies in 2022, including:
- Coley Brady and Ryan Bradyco-founders, Alliance RV, Elkhart, Indiana
- David HeathCEO, Bombas, New York, New York
- Isabelle Rafferty ZavalaFounder and CEO, Canela Media, New York, New York
- Othman LarakiCEO, Color, Burlingame, CA
- Barbara SmithChairman of the Board, President and CEO, Commercial Metals Company, Irving, Texas
- Jan Bednar, CEO, ShipMonk, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Haroon Mokhtarzadaco-founder and CEO, Truebill (now Rocket Money), Silver Spring, Maryland
- Joe KudlaCEO, Vuori, Carlsbad, California
- Wade Fosterco-founder and CEO, Zapier Inc., San Francisco, California
Each candidate was evaluated on the basis of their entrepreneurial spirit; the purpose, growth and impact of the company; and other essential contributions and attributes.
“Facing the many challenges of today’s business landscape, this year’s national award winners have managed to achieve incredible growth, disrupt industry norms and provide the products and services their communities need,” said AJ Jordan. “They embody the true spirit of entrepreneurship: courage, ambition and above all, passion for their employees, their missions and the customers they serve. They are a shining example of business ingenuity and we are proud to honor them.
National Award finalists and winners were announced at a celebration held at the Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the most prestigious gatherings in the country bringing together leading companies in their high-growth markets. They become lifetime members of the prestigious multi-industry community of Laureates, with exclusive and ongoing access to the experience, knowledge and wisdom of other alumni and other ecosystem members in more than 60 countries, all supported by a wide range of EY resources.
The overall national winners, Holly Thaggard and Amanda Baldwin of Supergoop!, will represent the United States at Global Entrepreneur of the Year® competition in June 2023.
Videos and photos
Videos and photos of all Entrepreneur of the Year award winners will be available on 2022 USA Entrepreneur of the Year winners and finalists.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, SAP America and the Kauffman Foundation.
About Entrepreneur of the Year®
Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for invincible entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders bring the innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with ideas and experiences that promote growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries. National Global Award winners compete for the Global Entrepreneur of the Year® title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.
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