The Spirit of Entrepreneurship (SOE) presented by Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) has named Carol Duncan, owner/CEO of Rusty’s Pizza Parlors, the 2019 Rock Star: Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Duncan has built a successful family-owned business and is known for her contributions to the community. She will be honored at the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards Gala, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.
Duncan is the ninth recipient of the prestigious Rock Star: Life Achievement Award, which is presented annually to a successful woman entrepreneur who has made an indelible impact on the Santa Barbara community.
“As Rusty’s Pizza celebrates its 50th year in business, it is a wonderful opportunity to honor Carol Duncan,” said Marsha Bailey, WEV founder/CEO. “Rusty’s is a time-honored family dining tradition and Carol’s generous philanthropy has touched so many in our community.”
Rusty’s Pizza first opened its doors in 1969, and currently has 17 locations in Santa Barbara and Bakersfield, employing more than 500 people.
Duncan’s attention to detail has made her family famous not only for their high quality, delicious pizza, but also for their unique themed locations and architecture like the Keeper’s Lighthouse on Cabrillo Boulevard that has forever changed the Santa Barbara skyline.
Duncan has built Rusty’s Pizza on a foundation of community involvement with a strong emphasis on children through school programs, youth organizations and community engagement projects.
Beyond the business, Duncan has been an avid supporter of the Santa Barbara Zoo including the zoo’s beloved Duncan the Dinosaur and friends.
The SOE Awards Dinner is an inspirational evening honoring women entrepreneurs from Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. SOE has received more than 135 nominations in 12 categories and three finalists from each will be selected by an independent panel of judges.
On May 3, in addition to honoring Duncan, the winners in each category will be revealed, Academy Awards style.
Proceeds from the SOE Awards benefit student entrepreneurship. This includes seed capital and scholarship opportunities to the winners of the SBCC Scheinfeld Center’s New Venture Challenge, a business plan competition for students. They receive their prizes at the SOE Awards dinner on May 3.
To learn more about Women’s Economic Ventures, visit www.wevonline.org.
— Alisa Robakowski for Spirit of Entrepreneurship.