Balboa Capital awarded the $1,000 grand prize of its 2019 Small Business Week Contest to Sharon Zelinko, a retired nurse and founder of Gripsors, located in Winter Haven, FL. Zelinko invented medical bandage scissors with a unique design, including grooves between the handles, which allow nurse practitioners to grip and open IV lines in a safe and easy manner.

The 2019 Small Business Week Contest was named “What’s the Big Idea?” and focused on the stories behind the companies, whether owners came up with a great idea while working at a full-time jobs or experiences a breakthrough “epiphany” moment and thought of a way to do something better

“This year’s contest was a tremendous success and a great way to celebrate National Small Business Week” said Kevin Umeda, manager of Sales Planning and Coordination at Balboa Capital. “We received an overwhelming number of essays that conveyed a genuine passion and an entrepreneurial spirit.”

“When you find something that helps your profession, I think it’s great because you know the value it holds. It’s finding something people will want to use because it can help them provide a better level of service and make their jobs easier,” said Zelinko.

The $500 runner-up winner was Diane Emery, founder and CEO of Executive Reporting Service. The company supports the legal community with court reporting services and litigation support.

“I want working at my company to be something you love and that enhances your life – not a thing that you have to do to survive. I love my clients. I love the challenge of keeping up with technology and social media and trends and finances and office space – I never get bored, and I grow every day,” said Emery.

Due to the number of entries, ten honorable mention winners were also named, each winning a $50 cash prize.

The full list of winners can be found here.