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By Daniel Schoonmaker
Grand Rapids Business Journal
GRAND RAPIDS — Perhaps it is a sign of the times that the seven West Michigan entrepreneurs recognized Thursday with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award are characterized as much by their commercial success as individual ordeals.
A year ago, winners shared common bonds of innovation and perseverance over turbulent markets. Some were turnaround stories, while others pioneered new markets. The majority began in basements, garages, or spare bedrooms.
This year, the six firms honored share the same extraordinary track records of excellence in innovation, financial performance and a personal commitment to their businesses and communities as all EOY winners, but also share a culture focused upon employees, community, and family unique to the West Michigan region as a whole...
 Winning the award for Business Services were brothers Jeffrey and William Bennett of OtterBase Inc.
William Bennett attributed the success of the company to its employees, and his own to the support of his wife and the values instilled by his parents.
When the brothers decided to launch the supplemental staffing company in 1998, both walked away from promising careers. Jeffrey had proposed to his wife the day before he quit his job, and the newlyweds spent their first year in a subsidized housing development.
"I've noticed how the definition of success has changed for me over the years," he said. "My 2-year-old son learns how to say 'I love you, Dad,' and I've got a new definition of success.
"It's important to remember that the success of your company can be judged on the impact you have on other people's lives."...
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