Churchill Names Patrick Woodyard, Nick Meyer and Zoe Cleary of Nisolo Winners of Young Entrepreneur Contest

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Churchill Mortgage today announced Nisolo, a shoe and accessory company working with impoverished craftsmen to produce its merchandise around the world, as the winner of its Young Entrepreneur contest.

“We are infinitely grateful for Churchill Mortgage and the panel of judges for the opportunity provided through The Young Entrepreneur Contest and we look forward to further establishing our company in Nashville.”

Selected from more than 50 submissions, Nisolo’s mission is to empower talented artisans in the developing world, allowing them to shape their future by way of their extraordinary work. Beginning with handmade leather shoes in Trujillo, Peru, Nisolo’s vision is to provide less-fortunate entrepreneurs in communities around the world with access to new markets. Its goal is to partner with consumers to create long-term, sustainable growth by supporting job creation and access to quality education through the sale of fashionable products.

The company’s founders, Patrick Woodyard, Nick Meyer and Zoe Cleary, will receive more than $35,000 in cash and prizes, including a one-year E|Spaces membership, providing a launch pad for the business along with computers, Internet, phone, copiers, printers, scanners, meeting and conference rooms. The three individuals will also have an opportunity to attend Dave Ramsey’s weeklong “EntreLeadership Master Series” workshop, and will receive ongoing strategic guidance from Churchill’s senior management team and other local business professionals.

Woodyard, Meyer and Cleary also receive a three-month course at Entrepreneur Center in Nashville, a non-profit organization that helps start businesses and create jobs through the support of leading corporations and other successful entrepreneurs. Furthermore, Nisolo will receive not only $5,000 to help fund the new business, but also an iPad with pre-loaded business materials and online newspaper subscriptions.

“At its core, Nisolo exists to provide job opportunities to those in need while simultaneously empowering individuals to express creativity and realize their full potential,” said Woodyard. “We are infinitely grateful for Churchill Mortgage and the panel of judges for the opportunity provided through The Young Entrepreneur Contest and we look forward to further establishing our company in Nashville.”

Due to the quality of submissions received, Churchill Mortgage will also contribute various resources and mentoring to the remaining four finalists, including Listen Up, Spanish Lessons with Emily D, Sweet Meat Jerky and The PictureBooth Co.

“We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of the submissions we received for the Young Entrepreneur Contest and even more impressed with how well these young people confidently presented their respective business plans,” said Mike Hardwick, president of Churchill Mortgage. “Ultimately, Nisolo was selected because of its solid business structure and the high quality that goes into each of its products. In addition, Patrick, Nick and Zoe demonstrate strong social awareness and a desire to help others by providing employment opportunities – driving economic development in Middle Tennessee and beyond.”

For more information about Nisolo, please visit www.nisoloshoes.com or Facebook.

About Churchill Mortgage

Founded in 1992, Churchill Mortgage is a prominent and financially sound leader in the mortgage industry, providing conventional, FHA, VA and USDA residential mortgages across 26 states. Unique within the industry, it is the only mortgage lender endorsed by nationally syndicated radio personality and personal finance expert and author, Dave Ramsey. Through its consultative approach to lending and strong commitment to local communities, the lender focuses on the right loan product for each borrower, providing the education and tools necessary to ensure borrowers’ financial stability. For more information about Churchill Mortgage, visit www.churchillmortgage.com or follow them on Twitter @ChurchillMtg and Facebook at www.facebook.com/churchillmortgage.