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entrepreneur of the year
![Dani Austin, above, and her husband, Jordan Ramirez, co-leaders of Dallas-based Divi, are among the 18 winners of EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Award. Austin launched the brand in 2021 with a focus on science-backed scalp and hair health, growing it into a national name now backed by Norwest and carried by Ulta Beauty, Target, and Amazon. [Photo: Divi]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Dani-Austin-founder-of-Divi-940x436.jpg)
Among the 18 winners of EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Award is Dani Austin (pictured), founder of Dallas-based Divi, and her husband Jordan Ramirez, who served as CEO and now chairs the company. Together, they’ve grown Divi into a national brand focused on scalp and hair health, backed by Norwest and sold through Ulta Beauty, Target, and Amazon. [Photo: Divi]
These 18 Founders and CEOs Just Won the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Southwest Award from EY
by Quincy Preston | Jun 24, 2025
The leaders behind 15 high-growth companies ranging from energy to electronics and hair health to quesadillas are now in the running for national honors this fall.
![EY 2024 Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Award winners, from left: Top row, Jodi Parker, All American Tire Recyclers; Tom Parker, All American Tire Recyclers; Sam Scoten, CheckSammy; John Zutter, Employer Direct Healthcare; and Cole Gahagan, Learfield. Second row, Robin Alex, HighLevel; Shaun Clark, HighLevel; Varun Vairavan, HighLevel; and Dave Marcinkowski, Madera Residential. Third row, Brandon Schwertner, Priority Power Management LLC; Kenneth Baik, Miss A. Stores, Inc.; Jean Baik, Miss A. Stores, Inc.; Mike Beckham, Simple Modern; and Jeff Jones, VIRA Insight, LLC. Fourth row, Jaryd Stein, Stride Healthcare Management LLC; Ben Weinstein, Stride Healthcare Management LLC; John Steinmetz, Vista Bank; Ashli Blumenfeld, Standard Meat Company; and Ben Rosenthal, Standard Meat Company. [Photo and image source: EY]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/EOY-2024-winners-360x203.jpg)
by Quincy Preston |
Jun 18, 2024
Dallas-Fort Worth trailblazers lead the pack with 17 of the 19 winners in the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Awards, representing diverse industries including recycling, healthcare, sports marketing, and cosmetics retailing.
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by Lance Murray |
Apr 18, 2024
In its 38th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year award is the preeminent competitive business award for "audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize industries, and have a transformational impact on lives," EY said. Here's who made the list.
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by Lance Murray |
May 19, 2023
Two Dallas entrepreneurs have been recognized by Afrotech’s Future List as founders of the year.
Dennis Cail is co-founder and CEO of the fintech startup Zirtue and Mandy Price is co-founder and CEO of the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging startup Kanarys....
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Linear Labs founders Fred Hunstable and Brad Hunstable are among the winners. [Image: Courtesy Linear Labs]
EY Names 40 Entrepreneur of the Year Southwest Finalists for 2020
by Alex Edwards | Jul 20, 2020
The finalists chosen for the prestigious business award program were named in a special at-home virtual announcement. EY Partner Morgan Watson and Program Manager Candice Moody will take the EOY reigns from longtime leader Debra von Storch, who had a cameo appearance on the video.
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by Payton Potter |
Jul 2, 2019
The winners were chosen from a pool of 50 finalists, each based on his or her commitment to business and community.
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by Lance Murray |
May 4, 2018
In its 32nd year, the progam recognizes entrepreneurs who excel in innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
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by Jewels Clark |
Dec 8, 2017
Co-founders of The Citizenry, a Dallas ethical home decor startup, took home the inaugural award.
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EY Announces Finalists for Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 in Southwest
by Lance Murray | May 5, 2016
Regional finalists are eligible for consideration in the national awards program.
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![Erica Kosemund, Chief Brand Officer, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Gillian Breidenbach, Chief Partnership Officer, North Texas FWC Organizing Committee; Chief Gary Batton, Chief of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Monica Paul, Executive Director of Dallas Sports Commission and President of North Texas FWC Organizing Committee; John Hobbs, Senior Executive Officer of Communications, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; and Heidi Grant, Senior Executive Officer of Commerce Administration, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, celebrate Choctaw Casinos & Resorts becoming an Official Dallas World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter. [Photo: North Texas FWC Organizing Committee/Choctaw Casinos & Resorts]](https://s24806.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FIFA-Choctaw-dec-2025.jpg)
