Amy is continuously
recognized as a young
leader and entrepreneur
* 2009 election to Clarkson University's Board of Trustees
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration New York State Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Region II Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2007 Rising Star award from the Women Presidents Organization
* 2007 STC President's Award
* 2006 Rochester Up and Coming Business Woman
* 2003 Rochester Top 100 Company
* 2003 National Collegiate Business Merit Award
* 2003 Phalanx Induction
* 2003 Clarkson Commendable Leadership Award
* 2002National Collegiate Business Merit Award
* 2000 Clarkson Leadership Award
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Buffalo District Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration New York State Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2008 U.S. Small Business Administration Region II Small Business Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year.
* 2007 Rising Star award from the Women Presidents Organization
* 2007 STC President's Award
* 2006 Rochester Up and Coming Business Woman
* 2003 Rochester Top 100 Company
* 2003 National Collegiate Business Merit Award
* 2003 Phalanx Induction
* 2003 Clarkson Commendable Leadership Award
* 2002National Collegiate Business Merit Award
* 2000 Clarkson Leadership Award
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From Student to Leader and
Multi-Million Dollar Entrepreneur
Amy Castronova bought her first business at age 20. She was an ambitious college student ready for a challenge. She was also young, inexperienced and quite nervous. After the business purchase was complete, Amy recalls the moments of fear and doubt and asking herself, "What did I get myself into?"
Immediately, Amy faced critical leadership challenges. She inherited a staff of 20 people, most twice her age. Clients were three times her senior and apprehensive about her abilities. The company's largest client, Kodak, was eliminating suppliers and forcing price reductions. Client diversification was necessary to survive, but the company did not have a strategy.
Amy had to step up and lead. Setting fear and doubt aside, Amy turned these challenges into opportunities. In the first 5 years, she annually led the company to double-digit growth and increased staff by 30%, all while leading herself and her family through the long battles and eventual death of both her parents.
Amy made her first multi-million at age 23. At age 24 she was named an Up and Coming Business Woman of Rochester, by age 25 she was recognized among women presidents nationally as the Rising Star, and at age 26, the U.S. Small Business Administration named her the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at three different competitions. Today she is the youngest Trustee at Clarkson University.
Now Amy is sharing her secrets to leadership success with young leaders across the country. "Presidents and CEOs of companys often tell me they wish they knew what I know about Leadership when they were my age. Yet, I wish I knew these leadership skills even earlier. I would be leaps ahead if I was the leader I am today, back then," Amy says. Understanding the importance of cultivating these skills early on, Amy channels her passion for leadership and energy to teach aspiring leaders the skills behind the skills.
Immediately, Amy faced critical leadership challenges. She inherited a staff of 20 people, most twice her age. Clients were three times her senior and apprehensive about her abilities. The company's largest client, Kodak, was eliminating suppliers and forcing price reductions. Client diversification was necessary to survive, but the company did not have a strategy.
Amy had to step up and lead. Setting fear and doubt aside, Amy turned these challenges into opportunities. In the first 5 years, she annually led the company to double-digit growth and increased staff by 30%, all while leading herself and her family through the long battles and eventual death of both her parents.
Amy made her first multi-million at age 23. At age 24 she was named an Up and Coming Business Woman of Rochester, by age 25 she was recognized among women presidents nationally as the Rising Star, and at age 26, the U.S. Small Business Administration named her the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at three different competitions. Today she is the youngest Trustee at Clarkson University.
Now Amy is sharing her secrets to leadership success with young leaders across the country. "Presidents and CEOs of companys often tell me they wish they knew what I know about Leadership when they were my age. Yet, I wish I knew these leadership skills even earlier. I would be leaps ahead if I was the leader I am today, back then," Amy says. Understanding the importance of cultivating these skills early on, Amy channels her passion for leadership and energy to teach aspiring leaders the skills behind the skills.
