Everlights

Kelly Aaron, founder and president of EverLights, headquartered in Chicago, will be honored as a 2011 Enterprising Woman of the Year at Enterprising Women’s 9^th annual conference in Boca Raton, Florida, on March 10 and 11.

The award recognizes fast-growth, woman-owned businesses in five categories based on annual revenues. Recipients must have demonstrated that they stand out as leaders in their communities and in professional organizations, and have mentored other women and girls involved in entrepreneurship.

“Nearly every company being recognized had significantly increased revenues this past year, despite the economic downturn,” said Monica Smiley, owner of Enterprising Women magazine, the nation’s only magazine published exclusively for women business owners that chronicles the growing political, economic and social influence and power of entrepreneurial women. “Each woman also demonstrated a track record of community leadership and of mentoring other women in business.”

Aaron founded EverLights in 1995 with her mother, Patt Gallagher, to help Illinois companies safely dispose of used lighting products. Fluorescent lamp disposal is mandatory in all 50 states and at the federal level. Today, the company has grown to a $1.7 million enterprise with a national client roster. In 2010 alone, they recycled over 2 million light bulbs, thereby diverting enough toxic mercury to protect more than 650,000 acres of clean water.

In the community, Aaron and her employees are active in the Federation of Women Contractors, USGBC, Illinois Recycling Association, Southeast Environmental Task Force, BOMA Chicago, Community Outreach and Tours, Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers and the Illinois Counties Solid Waste Management Association. She has supported Girls in the Game, a nonprofit organization, and mentors young women whenever possible.

More information is available at: http://www.enterprisingwomen.com/EWofYearAwards_2011.htm.