The Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world’s premier business awards programs, has announced that ValueSelling Associates will sponsor the 2025 (19th annual) Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service for the 18th consecutive year.

ValueSelling has been a sponsor of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service since 2009. ValueSelling Associates are again sponsoring the Sales Individual Categories, which include Woman of the Year in Sales, Senior Sales Executive of the Year, Virtual and Pre-Sales Professional of the Year, Sales Representative of the Year, and Sales Training or Education Professional of the Year, among others.

Complete details on the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are available at StevieAwards.com/Sales. 

Winners were announced in the 2025 competition on March 6. More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 45 nations and territories, were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 170 professionals worldwide on seven specialized juries.

Eligible nominees for this competition include departments, teams, and professionals from around the world who work in customer service, contact centers, business development, and sales. New products and services and solution providers used by those professionals are also eligible. The 2025 awards recognized achievements since July 1, 2023. Explore the full list of categories.

ValueSelling Associates is the creator of the ValueSelling Framework®, the sales methodology, training and toolset that aligns your revenue engine with a common language to enable sales professionals to compete on value, not price, and saves time in all selling scenarios. Since 1991, ValueSelling Associates has helped thousands of sales professionals realize immediate revenue growth and achieve results they never thought possible. They offer bespoke training to FORTUNE 1000, mid-sized, and start-up companies to drive sales results.

“Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, shared, ‘ValueSelling has been a loyal supporter of the competition since its early years, playing a key role in the program’s impressive development. We’re thrilled to join forces with ValueSelling once again as we shine a spotlight on exceptional sales professionals and organizations around the world. The Stevie Awards depends on committed partners like ValueSelling who understand the value of celebrating excellence in the workplace.’”

President and Chief Executive Officer of ValueSelling Associates, Julie Thomas, said, “The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service is an excellent platform for recognizing the accomplishments of our customers and business partners. We look forward to celebrating those sales professionals who found ways to connect, secure new business, and propel their companies forward in this tough selling environment.”

Winners will be celebrated during an awards banquet on April 10 in New York, NY USA.

View full details for the 19th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service at StevieAwards.com/Sales.

About ValueSelling Associates
ValueSelling Associates, a leading global sales training company, offers a practical methodology for selling on value, not price. The ValueSelling Framework® is a proven formula that simplifies complex B2B sales, and the Vortex Prospecting™ program provides a repeatable process that increases connections and conversions to the revenue pipeline. Once trained on the ValueSelling method, organizations grow revenue and increase productivity. Since 1991, thousands of professionals around the world have chosen ValueSelling Associates for customized training, reinforcement, and coaching to drive sales results. Learn more at ValueSelling Associates, Inc.

The Stevie® Awards, organizer of The American Business Awards®, announced today that the final entry deadline for the 23rd annual competition has been extended through April 3. No additional late fees will be charged. Entries submitted through the new deadline will not be penalized in any way in the judging process.

“We’ve received so many requests for individual deadline extensions that we’ve decided to extend the deadline for everyone,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Miller. The original final deadline was March 5.

The American Business Awards are widely considered to be the premier business awards program in the U.S.A. All organizations operating in the U.S.A. are eligible to submit nominations— public and private, for-profit and non-profit, large, and small. The 2025 awards will honor achievements since the beginning of 2023. Entry details are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

The American Business Awards recognize achievement in every facet of the workplace. Categories include:

• Achievement Categories
• App Categories
• Company / Organization Categories
• Corporate Communications, Investor Relations, & Public Relations Categories
• Customer Service Categories
• Entrepreneur Categories
• Event Categories
• Human Resources Categories
• Management Categories
• Marketing Categories
• New Product & Product Management Categories
• Podcast Categories (New for 2025)
• Publication Categories
• Social Media Categories
• Support Categories
• Sustainability Categories
• Technology Categories
• Thought Leadership Categories
• Video Categories
• Web Achievement Categories

More than 200 professionals nationwide will participate in the judging process through mid-April. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie® Award winners will be announced on April 24 and celebrated during a gala event in New York City on June 10.

Every new product or service nominated in The 2025 American Business Awards will automatically be included in voting for the People's Choice Stevie Awards for Favorite New Products, an annual feature of the ABAs in which the general public votes for their favorite new products. Voting will open on April 25.

The list of past Stevie Award winners in The American Business Awards reads like a who’s who of innovation and business success in the U.S.A. Explore the list of last year’s winners.

Sponsors of The 2025 American Business Awards include, HCLTech, Melissa Sones Consulting, and SoftPro.

Winners in the 19th annual Stevie® Awards for Sales & Customer Service, recognized as the world's top customer service awards and sales awards, have been announced. A complete list of all 2025 Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Award winners by category is available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.

Winners will be recognized during a gala banquet at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City on Thursday, April 10. Tickets are on sale now.

More than 2,100 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 45 nations and territories, were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 170 professionals worldwide on seven specialized juries. Entries were considered in more than 60 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; and categories to recognize new products and services and solution providers, among others.

The top winner of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards is DP DHL, worldwide with 39 Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award wins.

Other winners of six or more Stevie Awards include:

IBM, various locations (31), Sales Partnerships, Inc., Broomfield, CO USA (20), Support Services Group, Inc., Waco, TX USA (18), ValueSelling Associates Inc., Carlsbad, CA USA (15), Unitedhealthcare Provider Service Operations, Minneapolis, MN USA (13), TransPerfect Translations, New York, NY USA (12), UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA USA (12), Druva Inc., Santa Clara, CA USA (9), Intuit Canada, Toronto, ON Canada (9), Blackhawk Network, Pleasanton CA USA (8), GoHealth, Chicago, IL USA (8), Tata Consultancy Services, worldwide (8), Element TV Company, LP, Winnsboro, SC USA (6), Intuit Mailchimp, Atlanta, GA USA (6), Mplus, Zagreb, Croatia (6), and Nutun, Johannesburg, South Africa (6).

Winners in one special category, the Sales Partnerships Ethics in Sales Award, will be announced in early April. The deadline to submit nominations for this prize is March 21. This award recognizes organizations for best practices and achievements in demonstrating the highest ethical standards in the sales industry.

Five winners of Grand Stevie Award trophies, for the five most-honored organizations in the competition, will be announced the week of March 17.

All organizations worldwide are eligible to compete in the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and may submit any number of nominations in a wide range of award categories for sales, customer service, solution providers, business development, solutions and implementations, and thought leadership.

Nominations for the 2026 edition of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service will be accepted starting this July.  The entry kit may be requested at http://www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.

The awards are presented by the Stevie Awards, which organizes nine of the world’s leading business award programs including the prestigious International Business Awards® and American Business Awards®.

Stevie-winner Yedir is a technology-driven company operating in the food delivery sector in Türkiye with a unique focus on connecting local home chefs with nearby customers.

The platform offers fresh, homemade meals while enabling individuals, particularly those who have not previously participated in the delivery sector, to do so. By harnessing advanced technologies like AI, the Yedir App has created a solution that supports both customers and chefs, transforming the way food delivery services function.

Founded in May 2023, Yedir quickly gained attention for its innovative approach. The platform launched its final, improved version in May 2024, bringing with it a host of features designed to enhance the customer experience. These include ingredient-based meal suggestions, optimized pricing for chefs, and personalized recommendations for customers. Yedir’s success stems from addressing an unmet need in the market—connecting customers with healthy, home-cooked meals while offering local chefs the opportunity to build and grow their businesses.

Since its launch, Yedir has experienced impressive growth. By May 2024, the app had expanded to onboard 152 home chefs across 18 cities in Türkiye, with a daily growth rate of 7%. This rapid expansion was fueled by a clear market demand and a non-advertising spread strategy that saw the app reach over 1,000 users.

The platform actively contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including economic empowerment, food security, and gender equality. By offering home cooks, many of whom are women, a way to monetize their cooking skills, the app provides them with financial independence and professional development opportunities.

Moreover, Yedir ensures the health and safety of customers by adhering to stringent hygiene standards, collaborating with the Food Engineering and Gastronomy departments at İzmir University of Economics to provide training programs for chefs. This holistic approach not only improves the culinary landscape but also supports the broader goal of sustainable and inclusive growth.

In addition to its technical innovation and social impact, Yedir's success also lies in its ability to address challenges faced by home chefs. Many chefs were previously unaware of how to start and scale their businesses. Yedir created solutions that allowed these chefs to work within a flexible framework, choosing their own menus, days, and times to sell meals, which gave them more control over their business operations.

This business model, along with Yedir’s collaboration with local food companies and authorities, helped to establish home cooking as a recognized profession in Türkiye. The app’s allergen filters, calorie content display, and other health-conscious features ensure that the meals offered are safe, nutritious, and compliant with EU standards.

Yedir won a Bronze Stevie Award for Startup of the Year – Consumer Services Industries in The 2024 International Business Awards.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Stevie winners in these categories to be celebrated at April awards ceremony in New York City

Today the Stevie® Awards, organizer of the world's premier business awards programs, announced that The Brooks Group, a leading sales training and development company, is a sponsor of the Sales Team categories of the 2025 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Winners will be announced on March 6. Complete details about the competition are available at http://www.StevieAwards.com/Sales.

The Stevie Awards are the premier business honors for sales, customer service, solution provider, and call center professionals around the globe. The sales team categories recognize the members of individual teams within overall sales departments.

The Brooks Group is a leading sales training and development company dedicated to enhancing sales effectiveness for organizations across multiple industries. Since its founding in 1977, The Brooks Group has been recognized as a leader and innovator in the sales training and performance industry. The effectiveness of its training delivery and sales process methodology is proven by continued customer success and positive reviews. Its flagship program, IMPACT Selling®, empowers sales professionals and teams with confidence and skills to generate breakthrough results.

Larissa DiStefano, VP of Marketing at The Brooks Group, shared, “The Brooks Group has a long-standing commitment to individual seller development and the overall success of sales organizations. We're proud to sponsor the Stevie's sales team awards category, which recognizes significant achievements and sales excellence."

Sales Team categories include:

Account Management Team of the Year
Recognizing the sales management team of a specific client account for their achievements.

Global Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose industry, client, or other focus has a global scope.

National Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose industry, client, or other focus has a national scope.

Government Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams whose charge is selling to government clients.

Field Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business out of the office at face-to-face meetings with clients.

Inside or Telesales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business by telephone.

Online Sales Team of the Year
Recognizing sales teams that obtain the majority of their business via online or social media.

Sales Support Team of the Year
Recognizing teams that provide administrative, logistical, or resource support to sales organizations. This category is split into four separate categories:

a. Business Services Industries: recognizes sales support teams in business services industries such as advertising, consulting, marketing, public relations, recruiting, etc.
b. Other Service Industries: recognizes sales support teams in services industries such as financial services, healthcare, hospitality & leisure, legal, media & entertainment, real estate, retail, etc.
c. Technology Industries: recognizes sales support teams in technology industries such as computer software, computer services, computer hardware, internet/new media, and telecommunications.
d. All Other Industries: recognizes sales support teams in all industries not covered by the other Sales Support Team of the Year categories.

Winners of Stevie winners in Sales Team and all other categories will be announced on March 6, and the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners will be honored during an awards ceremony in New York City on April 10.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service feature more than 150 sales awards, customer service awards, business development awards, new product awards, thought leadership, and solution provider awards categories. Entrants may submit any number of nominations to any number of categories.

Winners of the 2024 edition of the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service included Allianz Services Pvt Ltd, Apexon, Ayala Land, Bank of America, Blackhawk Network, Cisco Systems, Delta Dental of Kansas, DP DHL, Everise, Hinduja Global Solutions, HP Inc., IBM Corporation, Lounge Group, Purpol Marketing Limited, Sales Partnerships, Inc., Samsung Electronics America, SAP, Splunk, Support Services Group, Tata Consultancy Services, Toco Warranty, UPMC Health Plan, VIZIO Inc., Watsons, and Weber Shandwick.

The 2025 competition was judged by more than 150 professionals around the world.

About the Stevie® Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Each year more than 12,000 nominations from more than 70 nations are judged by more than 1,000 professionals in Stevies competitions. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

About The Brooks Group

We unlock sales potential. The Brooks Group is the leading sales training and development company empowering sales teams to generate breakthrough results. Notable clients include Airbus, Avita Medical, Bobcat, Hitachi Energy, Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks, SANY Americas, Texas Instruments, and the United States Air Force. To learn more about our suite of ROI-driven sales training and development programs, best-in-class assessments, and industry-leading reinforcement tools, visit www.brooksgroup.com.  

Sponsors of the 2025 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include The Brooks Group, Sales Partnerships, Support Services Group, and ValueSelling Associates.

On Saturday 22 February, winners of the 6th annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards were presented with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards during a majestic ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. More than 300 guests from 68 winning organizations around the MENA region attended the ceremony.

The Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Chamber of Commerce, is the region's only awards program open to all organizations in 18 nations in the Middle East and North Africa. The focus of the awards is recognizing workplace innovation in all its forms.

This year more than 1,100 nominations were considered in the judging process by more than 118 professionals, whose average ratings determined the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners announced earlier in January. 

On Saturday, February 22, winners of the 6th annual Middle East & North Africa Stevie® Awards were presented with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Awards during a majestic ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. More than 300 guests from 68 winning organizations around the MENA region attended the ceremony.

Grand Stevie Award Winners in the 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards 

In addition to honoring Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners, two Grand Stevie Award winners were presented with Grand Stevie Award trophies at the 22 February ceremony. Two winners of these Grand (“best in show”) Stevie Award trophies which are Mobile Communications Company from Iran and Professor Awad Al-Omari from Saudi Arabia.

Organization of the Year: with 47 award points, earned through seven Gold, seven Silver, and eight Bronze Stevie Award wins in various categories, Mobile Communications Company of Iran is the most honored organization in this year’s competition. Mobile Communications Company of Iran, commonly abbreviated as MCI and also known under its brand name Hamrah-e Avval, is the first and largest mobile operator in Iran. MCI has over 75 million active subscribers which makes it the biggest one in the Middle East. MCI service is available in 1,239 cities and over 70,000 kilometers of roads in Iran. They won seven Gold Stevie Awards in the categories Award for Innovation in Annual Reports, Award for Innovation in Human Resources Management, Planning & Practice - Telecommunications Industries, Award for Innovation in Training Videos, and more.

Highest Rated Nomination of the Year: with an average score from the judges of 9.37 out a possible 10, the nomination of Prof. Awad Al-Omari for Most Innovative Leader of the Year, by Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia received the highest individual average score in the 2025 competition. The nomination also won the Gold Stevie in the Thought Leader of the Year category. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group is the largest private healthcare provider in Saudi Arabia and the GCC region. Established in 1995, the group has grown to include 25 medical facilities across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, with a total of over 1,900 beds​. HMG is recognized for its cutting-edge medical services, advanced technologies, and commitment to delivering high-quality services.

Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, commented that this year’s awards gala witnessed an unprecedented turnout. Tickets for the ceremony sold out, gathering together more than 300 guests from around the MENA region. The award attendees included dignitaries, industry leaders, officials, company owners, chairmen, boards of directors of government and private organizations, and executive directors— all pleased to be honored on stage.

The following organizations participated in the ceremony. Only winning organizations that attended the ceremony were recognized:

• Abu Dhabi Customs
• Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council
• Acceligize
• Adaptive TechSoft
• Al Dhafra Region Municipality (DRM)
• Al Jazeera Media Institute
• Al Yamamah Trading and Contracting Company
• Barns
• Black Coral Consulting
• Canon Eurasia Görüntüleme ve Ofis Sistemleri A.Ş.
• Capital 360 Event Experiences
• Commercial Bank International
• DAMAC Properties
• DANIELI Group
• Department of Community Development (DCD)
• DHL Express UAE
• Dr. Salem Alnar
• Dubai Culture & Arts Authority
• Dubai Holding Asset Management (DHAM) and TECOM Group
• Dubai Humanitarian
• EasyLoan Financing Broker
• Ebebek Mağazacılık A.Ş
• Ekol Logistics
• Emirates Health Services
• Esam Al Zarooni Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC
• ETIHAD Aviation Group
• Etihad Salam
• Fadia O Chaker Design SARL
• Federal Tax Authority
• First Abu Dhabi Bank
• General Civil Aviation Authority
• Golin MENA
• Government of Sharjah, Economic Development Department
• Gulf Agency Co. (Dubai) L.L.C/ GAC
• Gulf Marine Services
• GSTC
• Higher Colleges of Technology
• Inception Advertising Agency
• King Fahd Military Medical Complex
• Makers Public Relations Management Co LLC
• MetLife Gulf
• Ministry of Finance
• Ministry of Interior, Justice
• Ministry of Interior, Manama
• Mobile Communications Company of Iran - MCI
• Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Subaie and Sons Charitable Foundation
• Museum1185
• Netcore Cloud Pvt. Ltd
• Now Health International
• Ooredoo Fintech
• Public Prosecution of Dubai
• Public Works Authority, Ashghal
• QNET LTD
• Roads and Transport Authority
• ROSHN Group
• Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu
• Safana Charity Association for Health Services
• Saman Bank
• Saudi Aramco
• Saudi Arabia Railways
• Saudi Contractors Authority
• Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN)
• Sharjah Self Defense Sports Club
• Silal
• SOCAR TURKEY
• Sports Boulevard Foundation
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
• The Brain & Performance Centre, A DP World Company
• The Charitable Society for Orphan Care in Riyadh
• The Higher Colleges of Technology, Ras Al Khaimah
• The UAE Ministry of Investment
• Trustegic Chartered Accountants and Consultancy
• VUMI Global
• Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
• ZONE3000

See the full list of 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Winners by category

View and download photos from the awards ceremony.

Individual Acceptance speeches and red-carpet interviews are available on the Stevie Awards YouTube channel.

About the 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards

The 2025 Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards have recognized organizations in 14 nations including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates. More than 1,100 nominations in Arabic and English were evaluated in this year’s competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of 118 professionals worldwide, acting as judges on five juries to recognize innovative apps, achievements, entire organizations, public relations, customer service, human resources, individual professionals, live and virtual events, management, sustainability, technology, thought leadership, and more.

The 7th edition of the MENA Stevie Awards will open for entries in November 2025. Sign up here to request the 2026 entry kit when it becomes available.

Stevie-winner Beyond the Valley LLP (btvadventures), founded in 2022, is a premier provider of active adventures and cultural experiences in Pakistan’s stunning Karakoram region. Headquartered in Lahore, Pakistan, the company operates with a team of 10 employees and specializes in offering sustainable and responsible travel services.

Founded by Hina Umer and Umer Latif, Beyond the Valley emerged from their shared passion for travel and admiration for the serene beauty of the mountains. Despite Pakistan's awe-inspiring landscapes, the country remains an underexplored destination for many global travelers. The founders' vision was to create a company that not only provides exceptional travel experiences but also helps raise awareness about the unique cultural and natural treasures the Karakoram region offers.

Beyond the Valley seeks to change the narrative about Pakistan by promoting tourism in a way that respects both the environment and the local communities. By focusing on sustainability, the company strives to attract international visitors who are looking for responsible travel options in less discovered, yet remarkable regions of the world.

Support for Local Communities and Businesses
One of Beyond the Valley’s primary goals is to ensure that its tourism efforts benefit the local communities in the Karakoram region. The company employs local guides, transportation services, and support staff, including porters and cooks, from locally owned businesses. This approach not only enhances the authenticity of the trips but also creates direct economic opportunities for the people who call the Karakoram home.

The company employs two permanent guides (full-time) from local areas, Hunza and Skardu, respectively, which is a unique feature not found in any other organization in Pakistan, as guides are typically only employed part-time there. The guides receive regular salaries and benefits, ensuring they are well-compensated year-round, even during the off-season. These guides undergo ongoing training at the company's office, helping them stay prepared and knowledgeable about the region, its history, and its culture.

Through this holistic approach to tourism, Beyond the Valley has succeeded in providing a platform for local businesses to thrive. By integrating local products and services into their travel offerings, the company ensures that the economic benefits of tourism are shared broadly across the region.

Building Strong Partnerships and Gaining International Recognition
Since its inception, Beyond the Valley has made significant strides in expanding its reach within the global travel industry. In its first year, the company secured partnerships with leading travel companies. Clients from countries such as the UK, the USA, Austria, and Belgium have praised Beyond the Valley’s all-inclusive travel packages, awarding the company’s services with high ratings. Customers particularly highlight the hospitality of the local people and the authenticity of the experiences provided.

Beyond the Valley’s philosophy is not just about providing exceptional adventures, but also about creating lasting connections between travelers and local communities. The company’s emphasis on integrating cultural, educational, and experiential elements into each trip has contributed to its growing reputation as a responsible and impactful travel provider.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Adventure Travel in Pakistan
Beyond the Valley is helping to reshape how adventure tourism is viewed in Pakistan. By focusing on sustainability, cultural exchange, and responsible tourism practices, the company is playing a key role in promoting the Karakoram region as an exceptional travel destination.

As the company continues to expand its reach and influence, it aims to help change the global perception of Pakistan and inspire more travelers to explore the natural wonders of the Karakoram region.

Beyond the Valley won a Bronze Stevie Award for Best Small Hospitality & Leisure Company of the Year in The 2024 International Business Awards®. They also won a People's Choice Stevie Award for Favorite Companies in the Hospitality and Leisure category.

Interested in entering for 2025?

John R. Miles is a former US Navy Officer and Fortune 50 CEO who transitioned into entrepreneurship with the launch of Passion Struck, a coaching and media company focused on helping individuals, especially leaders, live intentionally.

Drawing from his own experiences overcoming obstacles—including a childhood traumatic brain injury—Miles developed a coaching platform that combines personal insights with research to guide individuals toward living purposeful, fulfilling lives. By melding compelling storytelling with expert insights and actionable strategies, Passion Struck offers a diverse range of content—including podcasts, videos, TV shows, educational materials, and live events—designed to spark the inner fire of passion and purpose.

In 2024, Miles published Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, a book that expands on the principles of intentional living and leadership he has advocated for through his coaching company.

Overcoming Challenges and Shaping a New Path
Miles’ background is marked by his ability to overcome significant challenges. As a child, he sustained a traumatic brain injury that affected his cognition, speech, and memory. Despite these setbacks, he went on to serve as a US Navy Officer and later took on a leadership role in the corporate world. His career progression illustrates a commitment to resilience and reinvention. After his time in corporate leadership, Miles sought a new way to help others. In 2021, he founded Passion Struck with a focus on supporting individuals in designing their lives intentionally and embracing personal growth.

Passion Struck and Its Twelve Principles
Miles’ book, Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles to Unlock Your Purpose and Ignite Your Most Intentional Life, provides a structured approach to intentional living, focusing on principles that promote both personal and professional development. The twelve principles Miles outlines include strategies for overcoming challenges, embracing originality, setting boundaries, and engaging with others in a meaningful way. These principles are informed by both scientific research and Miles’ personal experiences, making the book a blend of theory and practical application.

Each principle is designed to guide readers in becoming more intentional in their daily lives. For example, the "Anxiety Optimizer" teaches individuals how to harness anxiety in a productive way, while the "Originality Embracer" encourages embracing unique perspectives and ideas. Miles also advocates for "Boundary Magnifiers," which emphasize the importance of setting personal limits, and "Outward Inspirers," encouraging individuals to lead with empathy.

A Platform for Growth
In addition to his book, Miles has expanded his platform with the Passion Struck podcast, which further promotes the principles outlined in his book. As of 2024, the podcast has surpassed 40 million downloads in over 169 countries. The podcast features interviews with a variety of guests, including experts in personal development, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Whether through his podcast, book, or coaching company, Miles provides resources for those looking to unlock their potential, embrace personal growth, and lead with purpose.

John R. Miles' book Passion Struck: Twelve Powerful Principles To Unlock Your Purpose And Ignite Your Most Intentional Life by John R. Miles won two Silver Stevie Awards for Best Business Book and Best E-Book in The 2024 International Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

The skincare industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with some consumers prioritizing sustainability alongside effectiveness. One company leaning into this change is Botanical Skincare Lab, an Australian-based brand founded in 2022 by cosmetic chemist Kim Guseli. With a commitment to creating eco-friendly, high-quality skincare products, the company has quickly gained recognition for its dedication to zero-waste beauty.

A Mission Rooted in Sustainability
Kim Guseli's journey began with a love for creating and a fascination with cosmetic chemistry. This passion led her to become a cosmetic chemist, committed to formulating skincare products that truly make a difference.

She says, "Every product I craft is a labor of love. I take great care in formulating, using natural ingredients that are carefully chosen for their benefits. My aim is to provide you with skincare that’s both luxurious and practical, helping you look and feel your best every day."

Botanical Skincare Lab was established with a clear mission: to offer clean, effective, and environmentally responsible skincare options. The brand's focus on botanical skincare means harnessing the natural benefits of plants to promote skin health, while minimizing synthetic additives. Their dedication to sustainability is evident not only in the formulations but also in the packaging and overall business practices.

The skincare industry is known for its heavy reliance on single-use plastics and non-recyclable materials, contributing significantly to global waste. In fact, the industry produces an estimated 120 billion tons of packaging waste each year. Botanical Skincare Lab has responded to this challenge by introducing a zero-waste product line, designed to reduce packaging waste without compromising product quality.

Innovation in Action: The Zero-Waste Line
The zero-waste collection includes skincare products packaged in reusable or recyclable tins or offered completely without packaging. By prioritizing minimal and sustainable packaging, Botanical Skincare Lab aims to set a new industry standard for environmentally responsible skincare.

This approach has resonated with consumers who seek effective skincare solutions that align with their environmental values. The positive response has not only bolstered the company's reputation but has also underscored the growing market demand for sustainable beauty products.

One of their latest products is their Terra Pure Clay Face Mask Pods. These Terra Pure Clay Face Mask Pods offer a convenient and eco-friendly skincare solution. These single-use, solid clay pods are designed for easy application and are ideal for travel or at-home use. To use, simply add water or a hydrating mist to the pod, mix, and apply to the face. The natural ingredients work to detoxify and brighten the skin, leaving it refreshed and glowing.

Expanding Reach and Education
Beyond product innovation, Botanical Skincare Lab has also made strides in growing its market presence. The company has partnered with various organizations to reach a wider audience, extending its message about the importance of sustainable skincare practices.

Education plays a critical role in the brand's mission. By informing consumers about the environmental impact of traditional skincare practices, Botanical Skincare Lab hopes to inspire more individuals to adopt eco-friendly habits. The company actively uses its platform to share insights on sustainability and the benefits of botanical ingredients.

Looking ahead, Botanical Skincare Lab remains committed to continuous growth and innovation. The company aims to expand its product offerings while maintaining its focus on zero-waste and sustainable practices.

Botanical Skincare Lab won a Gold Stevie Award for Startup of the Year - Consumer Products Industries in The 2024 International Business Awards®.

Interested in entering for 2025?

Stevie-winner Umbrella IT (UIT) is a global provider of web and mobile development services and IT consulting. Over its 14 years in the industry, UIT has completed more than 250 projects for clients across a range of industries, including retail, entertainment, and education.

In recent years, UIT has grown significantly, both in its workforce and geographic presence. The team has expanded to over 300 specialists, more than doubling in size in the last three years. The company also opened offices in the United Kingdom and Dubai in 2022 to better serve its growing client base.

Bridging Technology and Practical Applications 
UIT’s work stands out for its focus on practical solutions, especially in areas like AI, machine learning, and virtual reality (VR). One of its flagship projects, the Beyond Words platform, demonstrates this approach by addressing real-world challenges in education. 

Beyond Words is an educational technology tool designed to help users improve their speaking skills. The platform uses AI to analyze pronunciation and provide detailed, actionable feedback. Its standout feature is a phonemic analysis tool, which evaluates every word and sound spoken by the user. This makes language practice more interactive and targeted, helping users to address specific areas of improvement.

To increase engagement, UIT integrated VR functionality into Beyond Words. Users can interact with virtual environments and characters, enhancing the learning process by mimicking real-life scenarios. The platform also allows users to interact with content through multiple-choice answers and voice feedback, making the experience both immersive and intuitive. Since its launch, Beyond Words has been adopted in several European countries, where it has been credited with improving students’ language skills. 

Expanding Expertise in VR 
UIT has also worked on tools designed to make VR more interactive and functional. For example, the company developed a system that allows users to pause VR scenes, interact with characters, and provide responses in real time. This solution fills a gap in the VR market by making virtual environments more dynamic and adaptable to user input. 

Behind these developments is a custom AI module that UIT created to process data in real time. This module integrates multiple AI models into a single system capable of handling complex tasks like voice recognition and real-time interaction in VR environments. These features not only enhance the user experience but also highlight UIT’s commitment to applying advanced technologies in ways that have practical benefits. 

Growth Aligned With Client Needs 
Despite its focus on emerging technologies, UIT has remained committed to addressing the practical needs of its clients. The company has developed a range of customizable services designed to adapt to different project requirements, whether for large enterprises or smaller businesses. This flexibility has allowed UIT to maintain strong relationships with clients across industries.

In addition to its project work, UIT has implemented internal initiatives to improve efficiency. For instance, it has streamlined administrative processes through enterprise resource planning systems, which simplify tasks like approvals and travel orders. These changes not only benefit UIT’s internal operations but also ensure smoother collaboration with clients. 

As UIT continues to grow, it remains focused on balancing technological advancement with practical outcomes. The company’s work in AI and VR shows its ability to tackle complex technical challenges while delivering solutions that address real-world problems.

Umbrella IT won a Gold Stevie^® Award for AI Solution in EdTech and a Bronze Stevie Award for Company of the Year - Computer Services - Medium-size in The 2024 International Business Awards^®.

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