When Penny Bowen began drawing add-ons and renovations from home, she didn”t plan to launch a full-service architecture and interior design firm seven years later.
She also didn”t plan on being named the Women”s Center for Entrepreneurship”s Entrepreneur of the Year.
So she was nearly overcome with emotion as she accepted the award Thursday.
“I never dreamed this would happen. I just started with drawing add-ons, and it evolved into design and working with other designers,” Bowen said after the ceremony, held at Mississippi University for Women”s Pope Dining Hall.
Bowen, owner of Bella Interior Designs and Penny Bowen Designs Inc., in 2003 moved her drafting/consulting business out of her house to Fifth Street North.
In 2006, Bella was born, serving as an idea incubator/showroom at 515 College St. in the old Coca-Cola building in downtown Columbus.
Recognition for her renovation of the building made her business take off.
Amid tears of honor and gratitude, Bowen offered this advice for other entrepreneurs hoping to succeed: “Love and dedication for what you do and a positive attitude are a must.”
Bowen earned her bachelor”s degree in interior design at Mississippi University for Women. After graduation, she worked for Johnson Bailey Henderson McNeel Architects and later at Johnson”s Carpet Center.
In 1989, Bowen received the Mississippi Downtown Development Award; in 1999, she received the Making Mississippi Move Award.
This is the third year the WCE at MUW has presented an Entrepreneur of the Year award to recognize a woman within the community who started her own business and goes above and beyond normal business practices.
“Our criteria are proper business planning, marketing strategies and going beyond normal business practices to establish their abilities in the community,” said Lucy Betcher, WCE director.
Distinguished youth entrepreneurs
The WCE also recognized three Columbus students with Youth Entrepreneur of Distinction awards.
Recipients were Emma Rose Davis and Douglas Glenn, sixth- and fifth-graders at Heritage Academy, respectively, and Hagan Walker, a junior at Columbus High School.
“When young people have so many things to do, these kids go beyond and do more in the community,” said Betcher.
Davis and Glenn have utilized the Hitching Lot Farmer”s Market to launch their businesses. Davis sells home-grown herbs and has a budding baby-sitting service, while Glenn is an accomplished baker of pound cakes and truffles.
Walker received recognition for his innovative computer business.
Started in June, Hagan Computer Services helps troubled residents rescue their computers and save a little money.
“Its kinda cool, being 16 getting an award for being an entrepreneur. Its very rewarding,” Walker said.
Other awards
Jackie McGrath, a seventh-grader at Heritage Academy, was named Youth Social Entrepreneur of the Year. McGrath has worked to raise money for “Alex”s Lemonade Stand,” a foundation dedicated to fighting childhood cancer. To date, McGrath has donated $4,000.
Dee Larson, Ph.D., an associate professor of management and marketing at MUW, was named Entrepreneurial Educator of the Year. Larson, who was “surprised and touched” by the award, served as a speaker for the event, advocating the importance of service learning in the classroom.
“I”m so proud (of the award), and it shows we believe in service learning and are committed to the work done,” she said.
This story contains reporting from Dispatch Correspondent John Dorroh.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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