News Release

June 1, 2001

Owner of Albuquerque Maternity Store Selected as Entrepreneur of the Year

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: Albuquerquean Annie Furie, founder and owner of Growing Life Maternity Store, was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year in recent awards given by PNM, Public Service Co. of New Mexico. The awards recognized five other New Mexico small-business success stories as well.

Furie owns Growing Life, 2400 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, a maternity store established in 1996 that offers lactation consultations, support groups for nursing mothers, maternity and breastfeeding clothes and equipment and educational classes on infant/child CPR, infant massage and the basics of breastfeeding.

She is “a remarkable woman who balances life, family, business and success with ease and confidence,” according to a nomination submitted on her behalf.

Furie was one of six businesses recognized as part of the 2nd annual PNM Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards program, hosted recently by WESST corp. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown.

“We are proud to have our name associated with these awards, which recognize small woman- and minority-owned businesses that often get overlooked in other business awards programs,” said Jeff Sterba, PNM’s chairman, president and CEO.

Other award winners include:

• Antonio and Juan Grijalva, of Grijalva’s Custom Woodshop, in Grants, who were chosen as Rural Entrepreneurs of the Year
• Pam Beesley, owner of Beesley’s Services, Inc., of Santa Fe, who won the Rising Star Award
• Mary Garza, owner of Solar Electric Co., of Las Cruces, who won the Pioneer Award
• Lovie McGee, owner of Love Realty, of Albuquerque, who won the Leadership Award
• Elissa Breitbard, owner of Betty’s Bath and Day Spa, in Albuquerque, who won the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The six small business owners were given plaques and also cash awards sponsored by La Fonda; the New Mexico Community Development Loan Fund; Technology Ventures Corporation; Sutin, Thayer and Browne; Corless and Associates; and Jaynes Corporation.

Rep. Tom Udall was also given an award, Entrepreneurial Advocate of the Year, for his work on issues that affect woman- and minority-owned businesses.