Hairstylist Candy Shaw, the CEO and founder of Sunlights Balayage Inc., has been named Small Business Person of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
“I have known Candy for over 25 years. Some would consider us competitors, but that never mattered," said Winn Claybaugh, dean and co-founder of Paul Mitchell Schools. "Candy is genuine and truly engaged, no matter who is standing in front of her. She is inclusive in a world that often times forces people to be exclusive.”
The award was presented at a ceremony at the Georgia Aquarium. Shaw won in the Emerging Entrepreneur category for businesses between the ages of 3 to 7; her hair color company, Sunlights, recently turned 3 years old.
“Candy Shaw is a wonderful businesswoman. The hardest working person I know, her product is one of the fastest growing in the industry," said Steve Reiss, publisher of Modern Salon Media. "I’ve known Candy for almost 10 years, and am always amazed by her enthusiasm, her work ethic but most of all – her willingness to share and help others. She is truly ‘the face of our industry’ – and highlights all that is good about the salon community.”
Wells Fargo Bank’s Regional President Mike Donnelly presented Candy with the prestigious award at the 31st annual awards presentation.
“I created Sunlights because I wanted to help stylists, who are predominately women, ‘earn a better living and live a better life,’" Shaw said during her acceptance speech. "I also wanted to decrease the environmental impact that hairdressing has on the planet.”
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