business start-up

An 18-year-old founder of a non-profit business that buys, renovates, and sells abandoned homes to families in need has won the 2006 National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/Visa USA “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” Award, the two parties announced today.

In recognition of her entrepreneurial achievements and spirit, Ashley Gunn, of Brandon, Mississippi was awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship. It will be sent to the University of Pennsylvania to help defray the cost of her tuition, this coming fall. Ms. Gunn was chosen for this top honor among four other regional winners of the NFIB/Visa USA Young Entrepreneur Award.  

Ms. Gunn is the founder and chairman of Students Aiding Indigent Families (SAIF), a non-profit organization that buys, renovates, and sells abandoned homes to families in need, usually single mothers, at below-market value. Ms. Gunn first thought of this business idea after returning from a mission trip to Africa in the summer before entering the 7th grade. Moved by the poverty and despair all around her while in Africa, she was determined to help address similar needs back home in her Jackson, Mississippi community. On track to generate $100,000 in revenue this year, SAIF has been certified by the Mississippi Secretary of State and all proceeds from their home sales go toward providing college scholarships to deserving students who are in need.

“Ashley and SAIF are great examples of how doing the right thing can make good business sense,” said Rhonda Bentz, vice president, Visa USA. “She has made a significant, lasting contribution to her community, and her ingenuity should be an inspiration to all young, aspiring business owners.”

“I want to thank both NFIB and Visa for their generosity and support of my efforts to help improve the lives of families and students in my community,” said Gunn. I am so grateful for the financial assistance they are providing to help me further my education.”

The NFIB/Visa USA “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award is given annually to the top applicant in the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards program, sponsored by NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Gunn was chosen by an independent selection committee from a field of more than 1,000 candidates who were nominated by NFIB members. More information is available at www.NFIB.com/YEF. HBM