Ingrid Hernández Selected as NAWBO EPIC Award Winner

April 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Louisville, KY – Ingrid Hernández, president of InGrid Design, LLC, has been named the 2012 EPIC Award winner by the Louisville chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).  

The annual EPIC Awards honor women business owners who demonstrate a winning combination of excellence as entrepreneurs, professional accomplishments, initiative and creativity in addressing major business challenges along with civic and community involvement.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Hernández attended the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and, in 1992, relocated to Louisville.  She founded her business in 2002 as a bilingual communications agency specializing in national marketing campaigns, advertising, website development and graphic design.  

Today the team at InGrid Design includes ten employees and two key subcontractors.  The business has been recognized with several awards from Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI), the Metro Chamber of Commerce, including the 2011 Emerging Minority Business Award.  The company was a finalist for GLI’s 2011 Inclusion Award and 2009 Inc.Credible Award.  In 2011 they were recognized by the Louisville Graphic Design Association (LGDA) with the 100 Show Award and by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) as the Professional Woman of the Year.

Hernández is a board member of the Hispanic Latino Business Council and is involved in Rotary, NAWBO, NAPW, LGDA, One Southern Indiana and the Tri-State Minority Supplier Development Council.

InGrid Design’s client roster includes Yum! Brands, Little Brownie Bakers (a division of Kellogg’s), Ceridian Stored Value Solutions, CaloSpa and the American Printing House for the Blind.

Hernández said a turning point in her business came when she had to decline a large project for an existing client because prior commitments to other clients prevented her from meeting the deadline with the quality her clients had come to expect.  She realized that, in order to serve her clients properly, she would have to grow the business.  During that year she moved to a 2,000-sq.-ft. space in the Highlands and increased the staff.  

“Taking care of what matters most in your business pays off,” she said.  “A year later the client came back with the same project.  I’m happy to report that we were able to complete the work within a very limited timeframe and our client was extremely happy with the results and has continued to bring us more projects.”

Hernández said she hopes the NAWBO honor is an inspiration to Louisville-area women and, especially Hispanic women.  “Dreams do come true,” she said, “when you put your heart and dedication into everything you do.”