MBE magazine enjoys highlighting entrepreneurs and small business owners who are innovative and excel at growing their businesses, give back to their communities, or overcome some form of adversity. For our 35th Anniversary issue, we shine a light on five inspiring entrepreneurs who have demonstrated overall business excellence, unique vision, and innovation. 

A young man brings a colorful palette of beauty to an otherwise monochromatic corporate arena; a youth circus performer now juggles the demands of assisting diverse businesses through the certification process; the president and CEO of one of the fastest-growing technology staffing companies takes a people-centric approach that benefits his company, clients, and employees; the Native American owner of a graphic design firm started with virtually no money or technology and now oversees a design “superstore” with a 5,000-square-foot studio and production facility; and a heart-led leader expands his meetings and events company to points south and west.

Here are their stories.

Sidd Ahmed, president and CEO, VDart, Inc. 

Heather Cox, co-founder and president, Certify My Company

Lou Rod Cueva, founder, MLR Artist Management

Tracy Stanhoff, president and creative director, AD PRO

Ralph Weaver, founder and CEO, East West Connection