Steve Voudouris, along with his partners, achieved national recognition in 2009, receiving the prestigious Small Business Young Entrepreneurs Award. This accolade capped off an impressive period of growth for their company, AmericanMuscle.

The award, presented by the Small Business Administration (SBA), is one of the highest honors a young entrepreneur can receive in the United States. The ceremony itself is a significant event, including a cocktail hour at the State Department and an appearance by the President of the United States. The President personally congratulates the winners, recognizing the country’s most promising business minds.

“We were all stunned,” shared Stephen Voudouris, Steve and Andrew‘s father and a small-business owner himself. “We were all totally, totally surprised.” The surprise underscores the magnitude of the achievement and the recognition of the hard work and dedication that fueled their success.

This prestigious award wasn’t just a lucky break; it was a testament to the foundation built by Voudouris and his team. Even before this national recognition, the seeds of their entrepreneurial success were evident. What started as a shared computer hobby among three high school friends blossomed into Xoxide, an 80-employee company. This remarkable growth was further highlighted by Entrepreneur magazine, which recognized Xoxide as one of the 500 fastest-growing businesses. The Young Entrepreneurs Award served as a powerful validation of their vision and execution, solidifying their place among the nation’s rising business stars.