Local Businesswoman Penny Johnson Is Finalist for Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award

GIG HARBOR, Wash. - Aug. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Local business woman Penny Johnson of Sturdi Products® Inc. in Gig Harbor, has been named a finalist in the Pet Industry Woman of the Year Award competition.Johnson, who is starting her 10^th year with Sturdi, was nominated in the Corporation category. She and 24 others will now move on to compete within the categories and finally, for the Woman of the Year Award.

Award categories include Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Corporation, Advocate and Rising Star. Five finalists were named in each category, and one overall Pet Industry Woman of the Year will be chosen from the 25 finalists.

A panel of four independent judges reviewed and scored nominations for more than 60 applicants in the five categories. The judges included a broadcaster, a publisher, a CEO and a former business school owner.

Johnson will sit on a panel of experts who will participate in a roundtable discussion on Saturday of the WIPIN conference, which runs Aug. 23 through 25 at the Red Lion on the River in Portland, Ore.

She also will be recognized during the Woman of the Year Award ceremony held the evening of Aug. 24 in conjunction with the conference.

“The Pet Industry Women of the Year Awards were designed to recognize the amazing females who dedicate their time and talents to improving the lives of all pets – dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses and exotics – and their parents,” said Shawna Schuh, president of WIPIN. “The Awards are a celebration of women who have devoted their lives to the pet industry and shine as beacons of women helping women and pets with passion. Penny Johnson is a perfect example!”

About Sturdi Products® Inc.: Sturdi Products Inc. is a Washington State corporation, manufacturing pet products since 1993. Sturdi was founded on the principle of decreasing the stress of both pets and people by designing better products for use when traveling with pets. Sturdi has gained an international reputation for designing unique, attractive, durable & adaptable products that reflect the needs of customers who travel with cats and small dogs. Since the creation of the patented SturdiBag pet carrier in 1992, Sturdi now offers over 40 professional quality & innovative products. All Sturdi Products are developed with a focus on safe pet travel, emergency preparedness planning & pet show exhibition. Learn more at www.sturdiproducts.com.

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SturdiProducts.  
Twitter:   http://twitter.com/sturdiproducts.

About Women in the Pet Industry Network (WIPIN): Established in 2010, then acquired in 2012 by Shawna Schuh, the current President and Chief Pet Wrangler, WIPIN is headquartered near Portland, Ore., and serves a worldwide membership base of women in the pet industry. WIPIN helps entrepreneurial women grow their pet-focused businesses through unique networking opportunities, valuable business growth meetings and online resources. TheStart of Something Big! Conference & Awards Show (http://womeninthepetindustry.com/conference) in August 2013 will bring women together to connect, network, and learn how to grow their pet-focused businesses. WIPIN is affiliated with Black Dog Education, Animal Wellness Magazine and PetIndustryTV.com. With 275 members, and growing daily, WIPIN is the premier networking organization for women in the pet industry, offering its members the opportunity to connect, share and learn from other likeminded professionals. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a member at www.womeninthepetindustry.com/join/. For more information, please visit www.womeninthepetindustry.com, or contact Schuh at 503-970-5774, 877-474-2962 or shawna@womeninthepetindustry.com.