Shawn Nelson, founder and chairman of furniture company Lovesac, encouraged other achievers to “talk big” at the standing-room only Fairfield County 40 Under 40 awards ceremony June 25 in Norwalk.
“We make our own luck,” Nelson said. “I”™m telling you, keep talking big, that”™s how luck will find you.”
Nelson gave the keynote speech at the 11th annual event, which honors 40 people working in industries including law, real estate, medicine, nonprofits and others in Fairfield County. More than 300 people attended the awards, presented by the Fairfield County Business Journal at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.
- Shawn Nelson, founder of furniture company Lovesac, urges the winners to “keep talking big” during ceremonies at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Photo by Bob Rozycki
Nelson started Lovesac, known for its versatile modular furniture, when he was 18. He won $1 million on Fox”™s “Rebel Billionaire” in 2005 and became acting president of Virgin Group. Following that he founded Lovesac, growing it to a company with 60 stores.
Lovesac, headquartered in Stamford since 2006, is the “biggest little brand you”™ve never heard of in Fairfield County,” Nelson said. His big plan is to turn the company into a $1 billion business. Age-wise, he fits in with the under-40 group but said he feels years older from his experience growing Lovesac.
“I totally appreciate everything that this crowd can”™t see behind the scenes going on in your minds right now,” he said to the winners.
He advised the honorees to “work small,” focusing on the details along with the big picture, to make time to “play along the way” and to value the job they have. While other people”™s companies may seem faster, easier or better, it”™s usually not true, he said.
“There is no yard more appropriate for you than the one you”™re living in, so enjoy it,” he said.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling congratulated the group, calling out award recipient and co-worker Mario Coppola, partner and corporation counsel for the city of Norwalk.
“You”™re the rising stars of Connecticut, and we thank you for what you do,” Rilling said.
Event sponsors included Building and Land Technology, the Bruce Museum, the city of Norwalk, Greenwich Hospital, Heineken USA, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Marks Paneth LLP, Rhone Apparel, David”™s Soundview Catering & Events, The Dessertist and Val”™s Putnam Wines & Liquors.
Winners recognized the group as a whole, their employers and their loved ones. Alison Smith, a Stern Village housekeeper and Special Olympics global messenger sponsored by The Kennedy Center, received a standing ovation from the crowd.
The 40 under 40 winners are:
Joshua Aferzon, CEO, Orthozon Technologies
Megan Baroni, counsel, Robinson & Cole LLP
Eliot Bassin, partner, Bregman & Company PC
Assaf Z. Ben-Atar, associate counsel, Pullman & Comley LLC
Kelly Berwick, deputy assistant public defender, Division of Public Defender Services
Paul A. Bonomo, CFO and COO, Cannondale Generators Inc.
Peter M. Bryniczka, partner, Schoonmaker, George & Blomberg PC
James Calkins, executive chef and owner, Seasonal Sweets & Catering
Anthony A. Carpentieri, private wealth manager, Private Banking & Investment Group at Merrill Lynch
Nate Checketts, co-founder, Rhone Apparel
Joseph Cichowski, vice president of sales and marketing, Ash Creek Enterprises Inc.
Mario F. Coppola, Esq., partner and corporation counsel for the city of Norwalk, Berchem, Moses & Devlin PC
Jessica Curtis, senior managing director, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank
Sergio DaSilveira, vice president, banking center manager, Webster Bank
Lara Devgan, plastic surgeon, Greenwich Hospital
Steven Fusco, sales consultant, Paychex Inc.
Emily Goldschmid, clinical director of children”™s services, Kids in Crisis
Nicole Licata Grant, economic development specialist, UIL Holdings Corporation
Benjamin Healey, associate director, clean energy finance, Connecticut Green Bank
Jason Jaronko, senior program director, Westport Weston Family YMCA
Sean Keating, senior manager, McGladrey LLP
Bryan J. Kelsey, vice president, senior market manager, People”™s United Bank
Christiane Kinseley, licensed clinical social worker, A Whole Recovery LLC
Dr. Daniel T. Ksepka, curator of science, Bruce Museum
John Lim, CEO, Life in Mobile
Patrick B. McKiernan, account executive, Abercrombie Burns McKiernan & Company Insurance Inc.
Katrina V. Melei, bariatric surgery program coordinator, Greenwich Hospital
Kathryn Scheinberg Meyer, staff attorney, education success project, Center for Children”™s Advocacy
Nick Nguyen, portfolio manager, Cambridge Hanover
Carrie O”™Connell, director of employment services, day services and transportation, Ability Beyond
Thomas P. O”™Connor, partner, Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLC
Douglas Polistena, general manager, Amber Room Colonnade
David Sansone Jr., project manager, A.P. Construction
Paul Santos, director, information technology and operations, The Center for Family Justice Inc.
Lindsay Clauss Sheehy, sales associate, Houlihan Lawrence
Alison Smith, housekeeper, global messenger, Stern Village, The Kennedy Center, Special Olympics
Dave Stambone, vice president, senior mortgage banker, Total Mortgage Services LLC
Laurie Stefanowicz, vice president, managing partner, Catamount Wealth Management
Jamie Toole, general manager, Bridgeport Bluefish Professional Baseball
Kristen L. Zaehringer, attorney, Murtha Cullina LLP
