Winners of Entrepreneur® Magazine's Entrepreneur of 2010 Contest Announced

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Entrepreneur ® magazine's Entrepreneur of 2010 contest presented by The UPS Store ® has selected its winners: Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Healthy Snacks; Derek Zobrist, president and founder of Enovative Kontrol Systems; and Allen Kim, founder of Bebarang. They will be recognized at an awards luncheon during the 2011 Growth Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

"From back-to-basics healthy ideas to creative solutions for everyday issues, this year's winners offer a glimpse into the multitude of ways entrepreneurs across the country improve our world," said Amy Cosper, VP and editor in chief of Entrepreneur. "Lubetzky, Zobrist and Kim each define the entrepreneurial spirit—from the way they've braved challenges and thrived, taken on risks in the name of an idea, and created opportunities out of what may seem like nothing to everyone else. We're excited to be able to start the new year by honoring our winners as well as our readers at the 2011 Growth Conference."

The Established Entrepreneur of 2010, Daniel Lubetzky, made KIND Healthy Snacks a $30 million hit by using the simplest ingredients. Healthy and pronounceable, the products in the recipe made the snack bars popular even among the heavy competition already in supermarkets. Ever the innovator, Lubetzky is now growing the KIND brand into a platform for healthy living.

Derek Zobrist, named the Emerging Entrepreneur of 2010, got the idea to start Enovative Kontrol Systems in 2006 as a Pepperdine University junior. After raising $200,000 and going through a rough pilot program, he began selling his water recirculation technology to building owners. The system saved them 30 percent on water heating bills, and it made Zobrist his first million this year.

Finally, the College Entrepreneur of 2010 is University of Michigan student Allen Kim, whose startup is a service inspired by his aunt's need for affordable baby clothes and his insight into the Netflix rental model. Bebarang rents out designer baby clothes, which infants quickly outgrow, by the month, saving parents at least half off the retail price.  

"These three winners developed an idea into its full potential using creativity, tenacity and resourcefulness," said Stuart Mathis, president of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., franchisor of The UPS Store brand. "Although the companies they started have developed differently, they each sprang from the desire to help others. We are proud to add them to the list of outstanding entrepreneurs we have honored through this program."

The winners will share their business success stories at the 2011 Growth Conference to be held on January 20, 2011, at the Georgia World Congress Center. This one-day, complimentary event will also feature keynote speaker, former Kentucky Governor and serial entrepreneur John Brown; numerous seminars on growth strategies led by a variety of small-business experts; and many networking opportunities. Attendance is free with online registration at www.entrepreneur.com/growthconference.

About the judging: Candidates were narrowed down to five finalists per award category by a panel of judges. Their online profiles together with their videos were featured on the Entrepreneur website, where visitors could vote for their favorite contestant. The Established, Emerging and College Entrepreneurs of 2010 were then determined based on a point system that reflected the number of online votes they received and the individual judges' choices.

About Entrepreneur Media Inc.

Entrepreneur Media Inc. is the premier content provider for and about entrepreneurs. Our products engage and inspire every day with the advice, solutions and resources that fuel the bold and independent way entrepreneurs think.

After more than 33 years, nobody reaches more growing businesses. As the original magazine for the small and midsize business community, Entrepreneur continues to be the definitive guide to all the diverse challenges of business ownership. Entrepreneur.com is the most widely used website by entrepreneurs and emerging businesses worldwide. Entrepreneur Press publishes the books that turn entrepreneurial skills into business success.

To learn more, visit www.entrepreneur.com.

To advertise, please contact us at www.entrepreneur.com/mediakit.

About The UPS Store

With more than 4,700 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.® network comprises the world's largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal, document and business service centers. In the United States, The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. In Canada, locations are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees of master licensee MBEC Communications, L.P. For additional information, please visit www.theupsstore.com or www.mbe.com.

SOURCE Entrepreneur magazine