North Dakota's Small Business Person of the Year Recognized by U.S. Small Business Administration

BISMARCK, N.D., June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama proclaimed the week of June 16 through June 22, 2013, as the 50^th annual National Small Business Week. As part of the celebration, the SBA will honor award-winning entrepreneurs from across U.S. states and territories in a luncheon on Friday in Washington D.C.

Having recently been selected North Dakota's Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Earth-Kind founder and CEO Kari Warberg Block will be among the nation's top entrepreneurs honored this Friday.

The prestigious award recognizes exceptional small business owners who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit in starting and growing a successful business. Warberg Block was nominated for this honor by The Center for Technology and Business in North Dakota and was selected following a statewide competition.

"It's a tremendous honor to be selected for this award alongside a group of such talented and innovative entrepreneurs," said Kari Warberg Block, CEO and Founder, Earth-Kind. "The SBA is crucial for the continued growth of small businesses in America and this week demonstrates an incredible level of support and encouragement across the U.S. for entrepreneurs."   

Based on her achievements, Warberg Block was also accepted into the 2012 class of Ernst & Young's Entrepreneurial Winning Women program, a national competition and executive leadership program which identifies a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs whose businesses show potential to scale.

Earth-Kind is best known for the invention and commercialization of FRESH CAB® Botanical Rodent Repellent, the first and only natural rodent repellent product to gain Federal EPA certification for indoor use. Currently, Earth-Kind products can be found in more than 15,000 retail stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. Products are also sold directly through Earth-Kind's website and various commercial and private-label partners. Earth-Kind is committed to the communities it serves, as the company manufactures all of its products in the U.S.; regularly employs developmentally disabled citizens; utilizes only natural, renewable resources; and strives to develop new and innovative products that meet its customers' needs.

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA has hosted events in Seattle, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., throughout the week. Friday's luncheon recognizing the winners of the annual Small Business Person of the Year award will include a keynote from Angie's List Founder and Chief Marketing Officer Angie Hicks. The week will culminate with a dinner event keynoted by Case Foundation Chairman Steve Case. All events will be live-streamed on the SBA website.

For more information on Earth-Kind, visit www.earth-kind.com. For more information on National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw/. For more information on The Center for Technology and Business, visit http://trainingnd.com.

About Earth-Kind
Founded in 1995 by farmer and entrepreneur, Kari Warberg Block, Earth-Kind's mission is to preserve the good and prevent the rest. Earth-Kind develops and manufactures naturally-efficient solutions for indoor home maintenance, including rodent and odor control. Its products give consumers choices that are safer and more effective than their toxic counterparts. Earth-Kind invests in its community through the employment of developmentally disabled citizens; the utilization of natural, renewable resources; a responsible carbon footprint; and a commitment to developing new and innovative products that meet our customers' needs. Earth-Kind products are third-party verified for safety/efficacy before being introduced to the market.

SOURCE Earth-Kind