(add)ventures Wins Minority Business Award

(add)ventures has been named the Rhode Island Minority Business Enterprise of the Year.

The award was presented by Rhode Island Small Business Administration and the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce during the 2007 Rhode Island Minority Enterprise Development Week.

After accepting the prize and thanking his employee family and client partners, including BankRI, CVS Caremark, Hasbro, and Marriott, Rosa told the 300 in attendance that the majority of his client partners do not realize he owns a minority business enterprise, or MBE.

“We do not want (add)ventures to be hired because we are an MBE. We want to be hired because we are the best,” he said. “In fact, don’t hire any of us because we are MBEs. Hire MBEs because we’ve had to work harder, be smarter, and raise the standard of excellence just to stay in the game. Hire MBEs because we never take the opportunities you give us for granted. Hire MBEs because you want to win.” 

Then, speaking directly to the MBEs in attendance, he said, “People call you crazy when your dream is to build something innovative and different. When you are struggling, and God knows we struggled in the early years, keep focused on your dream. Nurture it. Surround yourself with others who believe in your dream, and someday they will give you awards for doing the things they called your crazy for trying. I share this award with you.”