PRESS RELEASES

Chandler, Ariz., May 30, 2007.

Gold Canyon today announced that Karen Waisath, Gold Canyon Co-Founder; and Curt Waisath, Gold Canyon CEO, President and Co-Founder, are finalists for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2007 Orange County Award program. According to Ernst & Young, the awards program was designed to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs on a regional, national and global level who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. The Waisaths were selected as finalists from nearly 80 nominations by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 19^th at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

“We are honored to be considered for this prestigious award,” said Curt Waisath. “We especially appreciate the hard work of hundreds of Gold Canyon co-workers and thousands of Independent Demonstrators who have dedicated their talents and passion toward the success of Gold Canyon over the last ten years. We owe our success to all of them.”

After the adoption of their fist child, Karen’s desire to work from home gave birth to Gold Canyon, a company with annual sales over $85 million. Disappointed by the candles she had come across, Karen set out to develop a safer and more fragrant candle. Experimenting in her Arizona kitchen, Karen developed a cleaner burning candle that would permeate her home with a rich aroma. Soon after, her husband Curt left his job as a CPA to join the business. Determined to offer other women the opportunity to have a career while staying at home, they established an Independent Demonstrator sales force.

Ten years after its humble beginnings, Gold Canyon has grown from one candle to more than 200 varieties, several home decorating pieces and a line of personal care products. Today Gold Canyon offers over 25,000 Independent Demonstrators in the U.S. and Canada the opportunity to fulfill their own entrepreneurial dreams. The company’s focus on family and community has been the driving force behind the creation of its cool wax formulation and self-extinguishing wick, as well as the inspiration for the Prayer Child Foundation, established by the Waisath’s with the mission of aiding children in need. The Prayer Child Foundation has provided more than $1 million in assistance to children.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 21^st anniversary this year. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2007 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 17, 2007. The national Entrepreneur Of The Year celebration is part of Ernst & Young’s Strategic Growth Forum. The overall national Entrepreneur Of The Year award recipient is then considered for the world event held in Monte Carlo.

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are pleased to have Bank of America as the national presenting sponsor, as well as SAP America and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as national sponsors.

Local sponsors include Marsh, Scherzer International, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, Strategic Equity Group, Orange County Business Journal and RR Donnelley.

Based in Chandler, Ariz., Gold Canyon was founded in 1997 by Curt and Karen Waisath and offers an income opportunity through quality scents, décor, home and personal care. Through an independent sales force of more than 25,000 Demonstrators, Gold Canyon is committed to enriching lives with “The World’s Finest”® products, developed with great care using only the highest quality ingredients. For more information, visit www.goldcanyoncandle.com.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year®? awards program was created and is produced by professional services firm Ernst & Young LLP. As the first award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year®? Award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic and growing businesses. The program, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2006, honors entrepreneurs through regional, national and global award programs in over 125 cities and 40 countries.

Ernst & Young, a global leader in professional services, is committed to enhancing the public’s trust in professional services firms and in the quality of financial reporting. Its 114,000 people in 140 countries pursue the highest levels of integrity, quality, and professionalism in providing a range of sophisticated services centered on our core competencies of auditing, accounting, tax, and transactions. Further information about Ernst & Young and its approach to a variety of business issues can be found at www.ey.com/perspectives. Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, a U.K. company limited by guarantee, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited does not provide services to clients. Ernst & Young LLP is a U.S. client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

Media Contact: Rebecca Clyde - Media Relations for Gold Canyon Ideas*Collide Marketing Communications, 602-380-9313 or rebecca@ideascollide.com

Download PDF file >