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Anyone who knows Merrill Guerra is not surprised that she is the recipient of the 2009 Pioneering Spirit Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter.  She will be recognized and given the award at NAWBOs annual meeting in Troy on June 11.

This award is presented to a woman business owner who is doing something innovative in her business or who has started an innovative business.  Merrill’s mission as CEO and Founder of RealKidz is to enhance children’s self-esteem by providing them with age-appropriate clothing they look good in and are excited to wear. The idea for RealKidz came to founder, Merrill Guerra, after experiencing the frustration of trying to find clothing for her plus-size daughter. After researching the market, she formulated the business plan and secured initial funding from friends and family. She was able to close her first round of funding in November of 2008 and recently received matching funds from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund.

We congratulate this most deserving woman.