01 Nov Looking Back: Entrepreneur of the Year 2006
Each year, Ernst & Young recognizes excellence in entrepreneurship through its “Entrepreneur of the Year Award”. In 2006, Ronnie Barrett was one of a dozen outstanding business leaders given the prestigious honor.
He was recognized during a black tie event in Atlanta, Georgia; a tremendous achievement for a young man who designed a .50-caliber rifle in his garage back in 1982 and saw it become world-famous.
Barrett was honored by the United States Army in 2005 for the rifle when it was named “One of the Top 10 Greatest Inventions” for the military.
Today, whenever Barrett is invited to speak to entrepreneurial students at places such as Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro or Vanderbilt University in Nashville, he points out the importance of (1) building personal relationships; (2) never allowing a naysayer to steal your dream; (3) and to remember the source of God-given talents.
He concludes, “It worked for me and it can work for anyone who has the grit to be successful.”