Dani Austin, above, and her husband, Jordan Ramirez, co-leaders of Dallas-based Divi, are among the 18 winners of EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Award. Austin launched the brand in 2021 with a focus on science-backed scalp and hair health, growing it into a national name now backed by Norwest and carried by Ulta Beauty, Target, and Amazon. [Photo: Divi]

Among the 18 winners of EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur Of The Year Southwest Award is Dani Austin (pictured), founder of Dallas-based Divi, and her husband Jordan Ramirez, who served as CEO and now chairs the company. Together, they’ve grown Divi into a national brand focused on scalp and hair health, backed by Norwest and sold through Ulta Beauty, Target, and Amazon.
[Photo: Divi]

Ernst & Young has named 18 standout founders and executives from across Texas and the region as winners of its Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Southwest Award, announced June 20. The annual program honors leaders of high-growth companies who are building innovative businesses and shaping the future.

This year’s 18 honorees represent 15 companies spanning industries from energy and electronics to fast-casual dining, consumer products, healthcare, and beyond.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year program recognizes a wide range of leadership, from bootstrapped founders and venture-backed startup entrepreneurs to innovative CEOs and multigenerational family business leaders. 

Winners were picked by an independent panel of judges made up of past award recipients, CEOs, and business leaders. EY said the evaluation focused on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and long-term value creation.

According to Rex Alexander, EY Partner and Southwest Program Director, the winners “redefine excellence and set new benchmarks in their industries.” He added, “They set the standard for scaling businesses while prioritizing their employees, customers, and communities.”

The 2025 Southwest winners are:

Gordon Huddleston | Aethon Energy Management LLC | Dallas

Ray Waddell | CEC Facilities Group | Irving

Kyle Gordon and Maggie Gordon | Dillas Quesadillas | Dallas

Dani Austin and Jordan Ramirez | Divi | Dallas

David Iliff | DuraServ | Carrollton

James Showalter | EG4 Electronics | Sulphur Springs

Drake Gordon | Executive Exteriors | Dallas

Kyle Noonan and Josh Sepkowitz | FreeRange Concepts | Dallas

Curtis Hite | Improving | Plano

Dan Amiga and Michael Fey | Island.io | Coppell

Tom Currier | Maverick Power | McKinney

Brett Davis | National Indoor RV Centers | Lewisville

Prasad Reddy | Twisted X Global Brands | Decatur

Rick Hall | US Oral Surgery Management | Irving

The regional winners now advance to the national stage, according to EY. They’ll be considered for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, set for November at EY’s Strategic Growth Forum®, a major gathering of market-leading companies. One U.S. winner will go on to compete for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in June 2026.

All regional winners join a global network of EY program alumni across more than 60 countries, gaining lifetime access to resources and relationships designed to support growing companies.

See all the 2025 Southwest finalists here. 

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R E A D   N E X T

The sibling leaders of Fort Worth’s 89-year-old Standard Meat Company are among 12 national winners of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award. In another local nod, the three co-founders of Dallas-based marketing platform HighLevel were recognized by EY as national “emerging finalists.”

We’re searching for the entrepreneurs, executives, and trailblazers driving meaningful change in North Texas. Submit your nominations for D CEO and Dallas Innovates’ The Innovation Awards 2025 by Tuesday, September 24. Now in its sixth year, the awards recognize companies and individuals leading innovation across sectors like AI, cybersecurity, healthcare, consumer goods, real estate, and more.

SMU student-entrepreneur Trevor Gicheru, smiling, and posing next to the study app he created.

Trevor Gicheru created Nurovant AI, an app that converts lectures into flashcards, quizzes, and summaries, helping students focus on key themes. With support from institutions like SMU, Harvard, and MIT, he’s now scaling his venture and aiming for a $2-3 million seed round in 2025.

Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program honors bold leaders “whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow,” EY said. Here’s who made this year’s Southwest finalists list.

“Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch: On the Street” launches on Entrepreneur’s social media channels beginning March 18. The series promises to bring “unscripted moments, surprising outcomes, and the unrelenting spirit of entrepreneurship straight to your feed.”