Contact Information: Contacts: Aimee Ertley 770-724-4556 Aimee.ertley@sage.com Kara McClain 404-995-4531 Kara.mcclain@porternovelli.com
Local Business, Catoctin Creek Distilling, Named Runner-Up in Sage's National Small Business Start-Up Contest
Catoctin Creek Distilling Company Recognized in Entrepreneurial Contest on MyBizCounts.com
| Source: Sage
PURCELLVILLE, VA--(Marketwire - October 22, 2009) - Sage North America today announced the
winner and runners-up in its $20,000 MyBizCounts.com Start-Up Cash
Contest, aimed at helping entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into
reality. Loudoun County-based Catoctin Creek Distilling Company was named
a
runner-up in this nationwide contest spotlighting the entrepreneurial
spirit.
"We are incredibly honored to be recognized by this distinguished panel of
judges, and in the company of these other amazing new businesses," said
Scott Harris, founder, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. "Following our
passion and starting our business this year has been an amazing journey for
us so far, and we appreciate the support Sage is offering to
entrepreneurs."
Contest participants were tasked with creating a brief video
commercial for their business idea or new business (less than two years
old), along with their business plan and a brief essay. Based on online
votes, the 20 most popular videos advanced to the final judging round.
Videos, business plans and essays were then evaluated by a team of small
business experts, including Wayne Rivers, co-founder and president, Family Business
Institute, and Bob Shephard, Director External Affairs - Florida, SCORE.
"Small businesses are the main engine driving the economy, and while the
past year has been difficult from an economic perspective, the passion and
creativity that drive small business owners to success is as strong as
ever," said Doug Meyer, Chief Customer Officer, Sage North America. "The
gifted entrepreneurs who participated in our startup cash contest -- and
millions of others like them across North America -- are the reason that
Sage employees come to work each day, supporting small businesses' dreams,
vision, and goals."
An artisan distillery producing the finest in organic and kosher distilled
spirits, Catoctin Creek Distilling Company opened this year and is the
first family-owned microdistillery in Loudoun County, Virginia since before
prohibition. The company produces high quality organic spirits and
liqueurs: Rye spirits and whisky from organic sources, brandy from Virginia
wines, and seasonal specialty liqueurs.
As a runner-up in the MyBizCounts.com contest, Catoctin Creek Distilling
Company receives software and services with a retail value of nearly $4,000
to assist them in managing their businesses: Peachtree by Sage Premium
Accounting 2010 Multi-user Version with one year of Peachtree Freedom
Support; ACT! by Sage 2010 with 5 user licenses; Timeslips by Sage 2010
5-user version; Palo Alto Software's Business Plan Pro Standard Edition
Version 11; and Palo Alto Software's Marketing Plan Pro.
About Catoctin Creek Distilling Company
Founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009, Catoctin Creek is the first
family-owned microdistillery in Northern Virginia, located in the heart of
DC's Wine Country. The company prides itself on sourcing locally whenever
possible, using organic grain and fruits, free from pesticides and chemical
additives, resulting in a superior product. In addition to producing
organically, the company's spirits are certified kosher as well. For more
information, please visit the Web site at www.catoctincreek.com.
About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier
of business management software and services. Sage North America employs
more than 4,100 people and supports nearly 2.9 million small and
medium-size business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was
floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 14,500 people
and supports 5.8 million customers worldwide. For more information, please
visit the Web site at www.sagenorthamerica.com.
©2009 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Sage, the Sage logos,
Peachtree, Timeslips, ACT! and the Sage product and service names mentioned
herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software, Inc. or
its affiliated entities. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.