FAIRFIELD COUNTY
BUSINESS JOURNAL July 6, 2015 | VOL. 51, No. 27
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
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See page 6 for photos of the awardees and others at the event.
BY DANIELLE BRODY
“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. dbrody@westfairinc.com He advised the honorees to “work small,” focusing on the details along SHAWN NELSON, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN of furniture company with the big picture, to make time to “play along the way” and to value the Lovesac, encouraged other achievers to “talk big” at the standing-room only job they have. While other people’s companies may seem faster, easier or better, it’s usually not true, he said. Fairfield County 40 Under 40 awards ceremony June 25 in Norwalk. “There is no yard more appropriate for you than the one “We make our own luck,” Nelson said. “I’m telling you, keep you’re living in, so enjoy it,” he said. talking big, that’s how luck will find you.” 2015 Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling congratulated the Nelson gave the keynote speech at the 11th annual event, FAIRFIELD COUNTY group, calling out award recipient and co-worker Mario which honors 40 people working in industries includCoppola, partner and corporation counsel for the city ing law, real estate, medicine, nonprofits and others in of Norwalk. Fairfield County. More than 300 people attended the “You’re the rising stars of Connecticut, and we awards, presented by the Fairfield County Business thank you for what you do,” Rilling said. Journal at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Event sponsors included Building and Land Nelson started Lovesac, known for its versatile Technology, the Bruce Museum, the city of Norwalk, modular furniture, when he was 18. He won $1 million Greenwich Hospital, Heineken USA, The Maritime on Fox’s “Rebel Billionaire” in 2005 and became acting Aquarium at Norwalk, Marks Paneth LLP, Rhone president of Virgin Group. Following that he founded Apparel, David’s Soundview Catering & Events, The Lovesac, growing it to a company with 60 stores. Dessertist and Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors. Lovesac, headquartered in Stamford since 2006, is the Winners recognized the group as a whole, their employers “biggest little brand you’ve never heard of in Fairfield County,” and their loved ones. Alison Smith, a Stern Village housekeeper 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 and Special Olympics global messenger sponsored by The Kennedy Center, received a standing ovation from the crowd. years older from his experience growing Lovesac.
40 40 UNDER