LifePlate’s journey to becoming the number one company on ICIC’s 2025 Inner City 100 award list began with a simple belief: healthy food should never mean sacrificing flavor. Discover how the Dallas-based business turned strong relationships, a commitment to learning, and a clear sense of purpose into extraordinary growth. Read More

As the recipient of the FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award, Liaisons Corporation exemplifies the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship to create lasting economic and community impact. Presented through ICIC’s IC100 Awards, the recognition honors businesses that reflect FedEx’s commitment to global connectivity, diversity, and opportunity creation. Through its work connecting businesses, artists, cultural institutions, and destinations around the world, Liaisons has demonstrated how relationship-driven growth can strengthen both local communities and global partnerships. Founder and CEO Susanne Birbragher’s vision of “building bridges” underscores key lessons in authentic collaboration, inclusive leadership, and the value of culturally grounded experiences in building resilient businesses. Read More

Tamara Keefe grew up hand-churning ice cream with her family—now, she’s serving up joy across the country through her award-winning company, Clementine’s Ice Cream. With help from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, Tamara found the tools to scale with heart, transforming a deeply personal passion into a fast-growing, nationally recognized brand. From boozy flavors and small-batch quality to inclusive community spaces, Clementine’s isn’t just about dessert—it’s about connection, purpose, and building something magical. Read More

Christa Cotton, the visionary behind El Guapo, a premium bitters, syrups, and mixers brand, has earned her spot on the prestigious IC100 Awards list. Her ingenuity transformed El Guapo from a flourishing wholesale business to a direct-to-consumer powerhouse during the 2020 pandemic. By pivoting quickly, she tripled the company’s growth in just nine months. Innovation, for Christa, means honoring cocktail culture while pushing boundaries with top-tier ingredients and a strong sustainability commitment. As El Guapo continues to expand, she’s focused on sharing New Orleans flavors globally, tapping into the growing demand for zero-proof beverages, and scaling without sacrificing quality. Christa’s advice to fellow entrepreneurs: stay flexible, know your 'why,' and always prioritize quality. Her journey is a reflection of resilience, creativity, and the power of adaptation. Read More

Inner City 100 (IC100) award winner Tony Ehrbar turned a bold career shift into a thriving business by applying innovative thinking to the tent industry. After acquiring American Tent in 2014, he reimagined traditional approaches, growing the company from three employees to 40 and expanding into a 110,000-square-foot facility. His commitment to developing cutting-edge solutions—such as rethinking tent anchoring methods and incorporating revolutionary sustainable materials into his products—has fueled rapid growth, setting new industry standards. Tony believes innovation is key to sustainability, business success, and community impact. His forward-thinking strategies have helped American Tent scale significantly, earning national recognition as an IC100 award winner. Read More