Kyle Taylor, founder and CEO of The Penny Hoarder, was inducted into the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) Hall of Fame by the CEO Board of Directors at its recent Global Conference and Pitch Competition.
“We are so thankful for Kyle’s efforts as an entrepreneur,” said James Zebrowski, executive director of CEO. “Kyle is truly a brand disruptor, an innovator and somebody, we believe, our members would one day aspire to be like.”
Kyle Taylor founded ThePennyHoarder.com in 2010. The website originally served as a personal blog where he documented all the ways he was making, saving and managing his money in order to pay off $50,000 in student loan and credit card debt. In 2015, Kyle committed to scaling the business. He opened a brick-and-mortar location in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida and began hiring full-time employees. Since then, The Penny Hoarder has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing media companies by Inc. magazine three years in a row. In 2018, Tampa Bay Business Journal ranked The Penny Hoarder the No. 7 fastest-growing company on its Fast 50 list. In 2017, Entrepreneur magazine ranked The Penny Hoarder the 72nd most entrepreneurial business in the nation. And, in 2018, Florida Trend Magazine named Taylor one of the most influential business leaders in the state of Florida.
“I have a deep admiration and respect for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization and its mission to support student entrepreneurship. I’m humbled to be joining other CEOs and industry leaders in the Hall of Fame,” said Kyle Taylor, CEO and Founder of The Penny Hoarder. “The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization is doing great work in the Tampa Bay community and beyond. I hope it continues to encourage young entrepreneurs that anything is possible.”
The CEO Hall of Fame dates back to the late 1990s when the organization began recognizing successful business founders who inspire students and have proven themselves to be true role models for the future generation of entrepreneurs. Over the years, the CEO Board of Directors has inducted the founders of some of the world’s most notable brands, such as Kinko’s, Southwest Airlines, E-Trade, Staples, Jimmy John’s, Apple, iRobot, Crate and Barrel, Priceline.com, Hello Products and now, The Penny Hoarder.
Giles Hertz, CEO’s president and board chair said the organization’s founder, Gerry Hills, started the CEO Hall of Fame to recognize the important role that successful entrepreneurs play in sharing their knowledge, experience and advice to those who follow in their footsteps. “The board fully believes that Kyle Taylor has demonstrated that commitment,” Hertz said.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a 501(c)(3) not for profit charitable corporation founded in 1983, supports more than 16,500 emerging collegiate entrepreneurs annually. CEO believes that any student, regardless of academic discipline can launch a business. Through our global network of more than 250 college and university chapters, we support and inspire the growth and development of any student that seeks to be entrepreneurial.