Noxen Woman Honored by SBDC
Published: November 3, 2009
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Pictured left to right: Lisa Major, Community Bank & Trust; Heidi Secord, Josie Porter Farm; Danielle Fleming, Danielle and Company; Michelle Bersch, Design Done Right; Michelle LaBarre, LaBarre Dressage and Training Center; Lisa Marie Hall and Donna Simpson, University of Scranton SBDC.
Michelle LaBarre of Noxen was honored as a “Woman of Merit” at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center’s 14th Award for Woman Entrepreneur (AWE) program on Tuesday, October 20.
LaBarre owns and operates LaBarre Dressage and Training Center, providing training for both horses and riders. She started her business in 2006 with two horses and no employees, doing all of the teaching, maintenance, and care on her own. Three years later, she trains 14 horses, employs three people, teaches dozens of local riders, and travels throughout the United States to teach dressage to her faithful students.
The 2009 Award for Woman Entrepreneur was given to Danielle K. Fleming, founder and CEO of Scranton-based Danielle and Company, a manufacturer of contemporary natural and organic beauty care products. Heidi L. Secord of Josie Porter Farm, Stroudsburg and Michelle Bersch of Design Done Right, Lake Ariel were also honored as Women of Merit.
In order to qualify for these awards, applicant businesses had to be operating for at least three years and be at least 51% woman-owned. Applications were evaluated by a panel of independent judges on four categories: product or service, overcoming obstacles and challenges, community involvement and personal accomplishments, and business growth.
“We are proud to honor outstanding examples of women entrepreneurs,” said Donna Simpson, SBDC consultant and AWE organizer. “They inspire, lead, and serve as role models for all of us.”
AWE is sponsored by Community Bank and Trust Co. and Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal and coordinated in partnership with the Lehigh University and Wilkes University SBDCs. The University of Scranton SBDC provides low-cost educational programs and small business consulting services at no cost to residents of Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne & Wyoming counties. To request free business consulting services, complete the online request at www.scrantonsbdc.com.
