BBB Announces New 2026 Woman-in-Business Award

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 4, 2025) – Brand new to the BBB Awards lineup is the Pause for Purpose Award, an accolade meant to honor a female business owner or entrepreneur who intentionally creates space to reflect, learn, and grow, both personally and professionally. This award was created by The Pause Community founders, Alida Lee and Catherine Honeycutt. In partnership with Lee and Honeycutt, Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolinas (BBB) plans to award a $1,000 grant to a female entrepreneur who knows the importance of stepping back in order to leap forward.
In order to qualify, applicants must be female business owners or entrepreneurs based within our 48-county service area actively involved in business operations for at least one year demonstrating leadership qualities that empower others and embodying collaboration, integrity, and a growth mindset. Applicants must also positively impact her community and industry.
Applications are due January 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. and can be submitted via this link: https://www.cognitoforms.com/BBBForms/ThePauseForPurposeAward
The winner will be honored along with other award winners at an awards ceremony in the spring of 2026.

About BBB of Eastern Carolinas
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Carolinas is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 48 counties in North and South Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from over 5,200 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit BBB.org.