EY Announces Chris Ratterman of Shady Rays as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 East Central Award Finalist

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs who are building bolder futures

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 28, 2023) – Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced that Shady Rays Founder & CEO Chris Ratterman was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 East Central Award finalist. Now in its 37th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent competitive business awards for transformative entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies who are building a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all.

Ratterman was selected by an independent panel of judges. Entrepreneurs were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

“It is an honor to have been selected as part of this year’s class of regional nominees for one of entrepreneurship’s most-recognized business awards,” Ratterman said. “Every day I believe in doing what’s right for our customers and our team. That means working hard and working collaboratively to drive the business forward, ensuring continued growth and the longevity of Shady Rays.”

What started as a side-hustle in a spare bedroom a decade ago has become one of the fastest-growing sunglass brands in the U.S. All Shady Rays are made with high-quality, polarized lenses in a variety of sunglass frame styles. All purchases come with the Shady Rays Limited Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty & Lost or Broken protection – a major differentiator for the brand. Through the company’s charitable giving arm, Shady Rays Impact, individuals and organizations around the world are able to thrive due to necessary funding provided by Shady Rays.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 14,2023, during a special celebration. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies. The Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner will then move on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2024.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program has recognized more than 11,000 entrepreneurs throughout the US since its inception in 1986, and it has grown to recognize business leaders across 145 cities in over 60 countries around the world.

Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, N.A.; SAP America; and the Kauffman Foundation. In East Central, sponsors also include Valuation Research Corporation, Donnelley Financial Solutions, and Frost Brown Todd LLC.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business awards program for unstoppable entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders deliver innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. The program engages entrepreneurs with insights and experiences that foster growth. It connects them with their peers to strengthen entrepreneurship around the world. Entrepreneur Of The Year is the first and only truly global awards program of its kind. It celebrates entrepreneurs through regional and national awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries. National Overall Award winners go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ title. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY Private
As Advisors to the ambitious™, EY Private professionals possess the experience and passion to support private businesses and their owners in unlocking the full potential of their ambitions. EY Private teams offer distinct insights born from the long EY history of working with business owners and entrepreneurs. These teams support the full spectrum of private enterprises including private capital managers and investors and the portfolio businesses they fund, business owners, family businesses, family offices and entrepreneurs. Visit ey.com/us/private.

About EY
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