Kris Martinez, President and Creative Director of Martinez Creative Group, was honored to be awarded as a Champion in Enterprising Women Magazine’s 2018 Enterprising Women of the Year Awards. The awards are an annual tribute to the world’s top women entrepreneurs. The award winners were recognized at the 16th Annual Enterprising Women of the Year Awards Celebration & Conference on March 6, 2018 at The Four Seasons Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Kris accepts her 2018 Champion award from Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women Magazine

Kris Martinez was chosen from among hundreds of nominations in the US, Canada, and around the globe. To win, nominees demonstrate that they have fast-growth businesses, mentor or actively support other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship, and stand out as leaders in their communities. Many of the honorees also serve as leaders of the key organizations that support the growth of women’s entrepreneurship.

There are currently 11.6 million women-owned businesses in the U.S., and the women honored at the awards gala represented the top 3% of women entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Kris met up with some of the leadership team from NAWBO, the National Association of Women Business Owners

“I’m honored to be recognized along with so many inspirational women who are making a difference in their communities. When women succeed, we’re able to give back to our communities in amazing ways,” says Martinez. The award-winning entrepreneurs recognize the responsibility they have in sharing their success with those in need, such as local food banks, shelters for abused women and children, programs that support the LGBT community, micro loan programs for businesses in developing countries, mentoring programs for women and girls, and various other community outreach programs. Martinez adds, “The more successful women are in business, the more of a positive effect we can have on everyone around us. It’s our responsibility to be supportive of other women business owners and to help the most vulnerable, starting in our own communities.”

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney, spoke during the Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Program Scholarship luncheon

One of the highlights of the event was hearing Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade State Attorney, speak during the Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Program Scholarship luncheon. Fernandez Rundle talked about her work in fighting human trafficking in Miami and shared, “Wherever you see large groups of immigrants in this country, you will find trafficking.”

Human trafficking is a $32 billion industry in the U.S., and 75% of trafficking victims are women and young girls. Fernandez Rundle’s office is aggressively going after traffickers and building their cases without the need to have victims give testimony in court, which only re-traumatizes them. One way to help prevent trafficking is through programs that empower women and girls at risk. Fernandez Rundle added, “The best protection a woman has is courage.”

Kris with Monica Smiley, Publisher and CEO of Enterprising Women Magazine

Other program highlights from the 3-day event included:

• Social Media: it all starts with a strong digital strategy
• Artificial Intelligence: using technology and innovation to spur growth
• How to leverage emotional intelligence for fast-track success

Kris Martinez, 2018 Enterprising Woman of the Year Champion

Kris has over 22 years experience creating award-winning marketing and advertising campaigns and is owner and creative director of Martinez Creative Group, a full-service woman-owned marketing communications agency based near Chicago. MCG provides creative, branding, and integrated communications for a diverse range of clients on a regional and national basis through print, mobile, digital, and video. MCG is a certified WBENC corporation.

Some of the Chicago-based WBENC-certified business owners enjoyed a special reception with Hedy Ratner, Founder and Co-President of WBDC, the Women’s Business Development Center, Chicago

Learn more about the Enterprising Women of the Year Awards here: https://enterprisingwomen.com/women-of-the-year-awards.