Cheers for my boss today...
Posted on Oct 17, 2011
Today, we have something special to announce.
Each year, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley and the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals honor 40 people who are making an impact in their chosen professions and demonstrate a commitment to community involvement. They call this the annual 40 under 40 awards, and from this list are chosen five MVPs (Most Valued Professionals) who are singled out for special recognition later in the process. While there are no delivery boys on the list (particularly not ones who, like me, are over 40), past honorees include such well-known Valley citizens as Congressman Tim Ryan, former Youngstown mayor and now federal “auto czar” Jay Williams, YSU head football coach Eric Wolford, and the owners and principals of a wide variety of small businesses. According to the CFMV, “The 40 honorees and Top 5 are selected by a committee formed by the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, with selection based upon professional and service categories.”
Do I bring this up because I’m sorry I’m no longer under 40, and therefore don’t qualify? Not really. As a delivery boy I can count my accomplishments on one hand; that is, every Saturday “I got it there on time and in one piece.” But there are others among us who labor day to day for the benefit of their business, their household, or their community, often very quietly and without recognition. When one of those people, with the help and support of those with whom she surrounds herself, accomplishes great things for household, business AND community, it is necessary for the world to take note.
And so it is that one of our own has been noted.
This morning it will be announced that our very own Stella Kotsatos-Angelo, owner of The Cake Boutique and – together with her coworkers – provider of many of the Valley’s finest desserts, has been nominated as one of the Mahoning Valley’s “40 under 40” honorees. The selection was based on her professional and community involvement activities, which include many connections between the Boutique and local charities. Stella would be quite embarrassed if I took a lot of time in this space to list her accomplishments and contributions, so I won’t—but you can be assured that there are many. She would also thank her partner and staff for being the leading forces behind the success of the business, so I will use this space to thank them for her. And special thanks to Penny Bennett, one of the two hardest working people in the cake world—without whom this business and this award would be just a dream. Penny, we are all grateful for your contribution and know we are privileged to have the opportunity to work with you.
And to you, Cake Boutique customers and friends, thank you for your support in getting the word out about The Cake Boutique. The Cake Ladies make the best cakes you can get, but without your love for those cakes there would be no Boutique.
And finally, I step back from my role as blog-scribe and Delivery Boy to try to express, as a husband, how proud I am to share a life with such a magnificent lady. I am scarcely worthy to drive your van.
From all of us, Stella, congratulations. Your life is a testament to hard work, nerve, dedication, and faith. As you sit on the stage with other local leaders, know that you have earned your place among them.
(Click HERE for the article in The Business Journal…)