Jerry Azarkman Named Entrepreneur of The Year 2014 In Greater Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, CA- July, 3, 2014-Curacao, formerly La Curacao,today announced that Jerry Azarkman, the company’s Founder, was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® 2014 award in the in Greater Los Angeles. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mr. Azarkman was selected by an independent panel of judges, the winners were revealed at a 730 person black-tie Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA..
“I’m honored to be recognized for this award in the Los Angeles area, “said Azarkman. “This award demonstrates our accomplishments as a team here at Curacao and shows the dedication and outstanding work ethic of our company as a whole. I look forward to the continued success and growth in the future years. I’m very proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone at Curacao”, stated Mr. Azarkman.
As a Greater Los Angeles award winner, Jerry Azarkman is now eligible for consideration for the National Entrepreneur of the Year® 2014 Award. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the National Entrepreneur of the Year Overall Award Winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 15, 2014. Additionally, venture-backed companies that win an Entrepreneur Of The Year Award regionally are eligible for the Venture Capital Award of Excellence at the national level.
The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-profile, market-leading companies.
About Curacao
Curacao is a large-format retail department store chain. Founded in 1978, Curacao is headquartered in Los Angeles with retail locations in California and Arizona. The company is said to be uniquely positioned to serveHispanic and Latino Americans.The stores feature Spanish/ English-language signs and bilingual salesclerks. Curacao sells most of its merchandise on credit to over two million private label cardholders. The company's services also include Curacao Travel; internet service, Money transfer. Jerry Azarkman opened La Curacao, a consumer-product door-to-door sales company, in Burbank, California. It became popular among Hispanic people who did not have access to credit. Salesmen allowed customers to buy their goods by placing a down payment and then returning to the customer's residence to collect payments on a regular basis. This service eventually evolved into Curacao's credit-card business. Azarkman's brother, Ron Azarkman, joined the company in 1980. By 2007; the Curacao stores had ten locations in the Southwestern United States, with nine stores in California and now two in Arizona. With more than 2,000 employees Curacao is planning on more openings across the United Sates. Visit www.icuracao.com for more information.
About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them though regional, national and global awards programs.
###
Contact:
Tiffany R. Cummins
TRC & Associates
(925)212-4200
tiffany@trcassociates.com
www.trcassociates.com