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iBec Creative

2011 SAWIB WinnerCompany: iBec Creative
Entry Submitted By: Broadreach Public Relations
Company Description: iBec Creative is a leading provider of website and traditional design services based in Portland, Maine. iBec Creative brings fresh ideas and an intuitive understanding of technology to its work of creating appealing websites and building online marketing campaigns. It’s an enthusiastic partner with clients in creating branding and marketing solutions.
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Young Entrepreneur

Nomination Title: Becky McKinnell, President and Founder

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated young entrepreneur during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):

iBec Creative is the innovator in intuitive marketing and design that growing companies trust for visible results. Combining functional technology and artistry, iBec draws on a fresh mix of traditional and emerging media, working passionately with clients to promote their unique brands. At 27 years old, Becky McKinnell, President and Found of iBec Creative, has taken her company through a tremendous growth period this past year including:

• 49% increase in revenues
• 65% increase in profits and
• 50% increase in staff

Becky started her business in 2006 after graduating from the University of Southern Maine (USM) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Entrepreneurial Studies when she recognized the need for a fresh approach to website and traditional design services in southern Maine. At first a solo operation, Becky has expanded her business to now 8 employees with 240 active clients from around the country, 51 of those clients added in the past year. iBec Creative is also on track to break the million dollar a year in revenue mark by the end of 2011 and celebrated their 5th anniversary this past May.

In addition to leading a successful and growing business, Becky is heavily involved in her community, focusing on the education of youth, development of her industry and support of women business leaders in the following ways over the past year:

• As a spokesperson for the USM’s Entrepreneurial program, educating college students on how to be successful in business.
• As a featured speaker at Maine Youth Leadership, a 4-day seminar on leadership and service for statewide high school sophomores, on life after college.
• As Marketing Chair on the board of TechMaine, a statewide trade association for Maine's technology industries.
• As Vice President of the Board of Port Resources, a provider of specialized social services for adults and children with developmental disabilities.
• A featured speaker for PROPEL, the young professional’s sector of the Portland Maine Chamber of Commerce.
• As a featured speaker and case study for the Maine Women’s Fund, a philanthropic and leadership community for women in Maine.
• As an ongoing part of the USM Think Campaign to strengthen the state of Maine.

Becky also donates time and services from her business to various non-profits, contributing 2000 hours in pro bono work over the past year.

Becky has been recognized for her success as a Maine business leader and young entrepreneur over the past year with an Entreverge Award from the Portland Chamber of Commerce that recognizes area entrepreneurs for their innovation and contribution to the Maine business community and a Top 40 Under 40 award that recognizes Maine’s emerging stars under 40 years old for their commitment to leadership, professional excellence and their communities.

iBec Creative has also received recognition for their work in web design, holding finalist titles for 3 award categories in this past year’s TechMaine awards. They are also the Maine leaders in Mobile Web technology and recently launched a new affordable intranet platform solution.

List the URLs (web addresses) of any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that you would like the judges to see that support your entry. IMPORTANT: List each URL on a separate line, begin each URL with http://, and enclose each URL in square brackets. For example, [http://www.yourcompany.com/pressrelease.html]:

http://www.ibeccreative.com

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1009_entrepreneurs_25_and_under/12.htm
**the whole link needs to be cut and pasted into your browser.

http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/3/3163/news/11788

http://www.pressherald.com/news/forty-under-40-maine-leaders-to-be-honored_2011-07-03.html
**the whole link needs to be cut and pasted into your browser.

http://www.prmaine.com/2010/12/two-maine-entrepreneurs-partner-to-create-an-affordable-intranet-platform/

http://www.mainebiz.biz/news47928.html

http://www.prmaine.com/2011/05/ibec-creative-celebrates-5-year-anniversary/

http://www.pressherald.com/business/businesses-cant-sit-out-the-smartphone-revolution_2011-03-15.html
**the whole link needs to be cut and pasted into your browser.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/and-the-innovation-awards-go-to-____2011-06-16.html?searchterm=mckinnell
**the whole link needs to be cut and pasted into your browser.

http://www.myfoxmaine.com/story/15163915/becky-mckinnell-award-winning-small-business-owner

http://maineahead.podbean.com/2011/03/15/becky-mckinnell/

http://www.mainebiz.biz/news45690.html?Type=search


Provide a brief biography of the nominated entrepreneur (up to 100 words):

Becky McKinnell, President of iBec Creative, located in Portland, Maine, is a leader of the next generation of Internet marketers; named by BusinessWeek as one of the country's Top 25 Entrepreneurs 25 and Under as well as the SBA's Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Maine. Formally trained in the arts and entrepreneurial studies, she brings a technically-savvy and fresh sense to marketing design and the application of multi-media.

Becky graduated from University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Entrepreneurial Studies and currently serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Port Resources.