Paul Sundy to receive Excellence in Business Award

 

A humble Paul Sundy will accept the 2013 OTC Excellence in Business Award when its presented to him next month.

“Obviously, there are a couple of folks who have received it who are in a category that I have aspired to be like. Its very humbling. I dont feel like Im there or even close to their status,” Sundy said.

The ceremony, which will include a conversation with Sundy conducted by Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce president Jim Anderson, will be April 12 starting at 7:30 a.m. at the White River Conference Center, 600 W. Sunshine St.

Other recipients to receive the annual honor have included John Q. Hammons, members of the OReilly family, SRCs Jack Stack, Great Southerns Bill Turner, real estate icon Carol Jones, business owner and attorney Sam Hamra and Jack and Peter Herschend of Herschend Family Entertainment.

 

Sundy started his entrepreneurial career in 2003 in downtown Springfield and has opened and operated 16 different eating/drinking establishments over the last 10 years, including Big Whiskey’s American Bar & Grill, Parlor 88 Lounge & Eatery, Opus Cigar Bar, and Dublins Pass Irish Pub & Restaurant.

In addition, Sundy brought the Whole Hog BBQ and Einstein Bros. Bagels franchises to Springfield and opened locations in Little Rock and Chicago.

While hes had plenty of business successes, Sundy said he has had his share of failures, too.

“I think you learn more from the failures than the successes,” he said.

Sundy is a member of the OTC Foundation Board of Directors and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ozarks Technical Community College in 2010.

 

Sundy credits Ozarks Technical Community College with sending him on his way to professional and personal success.

“When I attended OTC, I really started to fall in love with the Springfield area,” said Sundy, a graduate of Marionville High School who earned his Associate of Arts degree from OTC in 2001.

“My business philosophy is you have to be willing to take yourself out of your comfort zone, and when people smarter than you talk, listen,” he said.  “You dont have to be the best at what you do. You just have to be willing to work harder than the other guy. Do what someone else has done, only better.”

Tickets are $25. Visit www.otc.edu/excellenceinbusiness or call (417) 447-2651 to reserve your seat.

 

Steve Koehler is coordinator of media relations at Ozarks Technical Community College.