Company one of two recipients recognized for building a social enterprise
Pearl Interactive Network (Pearl) is one of two organizations to receive the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award; sponsored by The Metropreneur and Rotary District 6690. The award is given to local business owners who have successfully created and built a company tied to a social mission. Pearl’s mission involves providing employment opportunities for a niche workforce of disabled veterans, veterans, military spouses, people with disabilities, and people living in geographically-challenged areas.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized as one of the top two social enterprises in central Ohio,” said Merry Korn, president/CEO of Pearl. “We are proud of the work we do to provide meaningful employment for disabled veterans and to offer employers highly skilled individuals who, although faced with many challenges, bring leadership and maturity to the workforce.”
The awards were presented during an Oct. 29 event at Studio 35, and included a panel discussion of local business owners who shared their experiences in launching a business. Representatives from each of the five finalists delivered short presentations about the missions of their social enterprises. The other award recipient was Hot Chicken Takeover, a local restaurant that provides jobs for people who face barriers to employment.
