The North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year recognition program identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement and paint retailers and recognizes individual achievement in the industry by retailers 35 years of age or younger throughout the U.S., its territories and Canada. Selected from different retail categories, honorees are chosen based on wide-ranging criteria such as career accomplishments, community involvement, ongoing education within the industry and extracurricular activities.
How to Apply
Click here to fill out the online application.
Nominees must be:
- 35 years or younger by Jan. 28, 2023
- Working in the independent home improvement channel
- Current resident of the U.S. or Canada
As you put together your application, keep in mind the judging criteria:
- Career High Points – How have you contributed to your organization and the industry? What are some career milestones? How have you helped your business be successful or overcome challenges?
- Industry Education – How are you learning and growing in the industry and how have you used those educational opportunities to grow your business?
- Community Involvement – How are you engaged with your community and neighborhood?
- Other Activities – What are you doing to achieve business advancement? What are your career goals and dreams?
You can also submit photos, press clippings and letters of recommendation. A video is also a good way to showcase yourself, your staff and your operation.
For more information, watch this informational video.
Blast from the Past
Former honorees share what it means to be named a Young Retailer of the Year.
“Being a Young Retailer of the Year was one of the greatest awards I have ever gotten in my working career. It shows that all NHPA members are a part of something much larger than their own stores. Being an honoree has opened lots of new doors for myself and company. Most of all, it has allowed me to grow my network of successful young retailers across the country in all segments of the paint and hardware world.”
—Jay Donnelly, Vice President of Flanagan Paint & Supply in St. Louis
Round Top Merchantile
“It is humbling to be honored and rewarded for hard work put forth to expand and grow the company. I believe that many independent retailers just do whatever it takes to keep their business rolling in a positive direction, not expecting individual recognition or accolades. Being a Young Retailer of the Year honoree has provided opportunities to meet with fellow retailers, vendors representatives and wholesalers I probably wouldn’t have before joining this elite group. I have been able to participate in industry conferences and panels that not only expand my knowledge but open the door for growing relationships with like-minded individuals throughout North America.”
—Jackie Sacks, Process Integration Manager, Farmers Lumber Company/Round Top Mercantile Company in Round Top, Texas
“Being an honoree has been very meaningful to me. I look at the other award winners and how talented and accomplished they are, so to be included in that group has given me some additional confidence in my abilities, the systems we have in place at our stores and the quality of the teams we have in our stores. Being part of this group has allowed me to be part of a network of peers that is one of the most elite hardware think tanks in the world. Professionally, being a Young Retailer of the Year has resulted in being asked to serve on multiple committees, asked to teach and train others, and I’ve even had some job offers extended. It’s been truly life changing.”
—Franklin Cloninger, General Manager, Triangle True Value Hardware and Rental in Greenwood, South Carolina
The 2023 class of Young Retailer of the Year honorees will be recognized at the 2023 NHPA Independents Conference in Dallas, Aug. 2-3, 2023. Learn more.
