A note from Dirk. 

I am very blessed and excited to receive this award. I have a special love for small business and am living my dream of being able to conduct business on a daily basis. Getting to this point has been a mixture of failure and success (with probably more failure than success) with a generous portion of Gods grace. There have been many phenomenal people that have played a big part in my life to encourage and support me in my business ventures. 

Two things I want people to know: 

1) Pursue something you love and don't be afraid of the uncertainty that will come from following your dreams. 

2) Failure does not define you, what you do after failure does.   

~ Dirk van Reenen

SBA News Release

West Texas  District Office

SBA Announces the

2011 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 

Lubbock, TX Every year, the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrates the dedication and success of small businesses across America. National Small Business Week will be held May 18-20, 2011 in Washington, D. C., where awards will be presented to outstanding small business owners and champions or individuals that support small businesses. 

The SBA announces the selection of CHRISTIAAN DIRK VAN REENEN as the 2011 Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the West Texas District  (a 71 county West Texas area including Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, Midland and Odessa ). 

Mr. van Reenen first grabbed the attention of SBA due to his impressive ownership of businesses in the multiple industries of retail and management; auctioneering, real estate; social media management and online marketing. 

SBA District Director Calvin Davis said, "it's quite impressive that Mr. van Reenen who, at the young age of 29, has established himself as a successful entrepreneur in at least three distinct business industries. There are not many small business owners of any age who can stake claim to that accomplishment.  It is also equally impressive that Mr. van Reenen, who migrated from South Africa to America at a young age, was able to so quickly bridge two cultures and thrive as a multiple disciplined entrepreneur."

Mr. van Reenen was nominated for this award by the West Texas A & M Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  The SBDC is very proud that Dirk van Reenen is their client. Where most times, we get to give the knowledge and advice to the client, Dirk is that rare exception " we are all often enlightened and inspired by him, his energy and his abilities", said SBDC Director, P.J. Pronger.  

The SBA Lubbock District Office salutes Christiaan Dirk van Reenen as the winner of the 2011 SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year and looks forward to his future growth in the Amarillo community.