Entrepreneurial businesswoman sweeping awards in Las Vegas

A Zappos Monopoly board, Chippendales mousepad and dozens of coffee mugs, water bottles and hats line the shelves in Jammie Hsu's office. No, she's not a scavenger for free swag or a hoarder. She is one of the valley's notable young business professionals and owner of marketing company Proforma Element 7, W. 6525 Warm Springs Road, Suite 100.

Speckled among the merchandise she has strategically arranged for clients sit a half-dozen awards for the business that she opened just five years ago.

Hsu's most recent accolade: the Women in Business Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Las Vegas Chapter.

The 34-year-old Cantonese woman said she thinks her community involvement and diversity help her stand out among other young professionals.

She has also won the 2009 In Business Las Vegas 40 Under 40 Award, the 2007 New Minority Business Enterprise of the Year Award, the 2007 Athena Young Professional Award and the 2007 Small Business Blue Ribbon Award.

"It is such an honor being involved in the community and being recognized," Hsu said. "As a small-business owner, I don't know if people recognize how hard we work all the time. Yes, we reap the benefits when the economy is good, but there are times when you can barely cover your overhead, too."

Hsu moved to Las Vegas in 2006 and opened her marketing company, Element 7. In 2009, she turned her business into a franchise of Proforma.

Her company provides marketing and web solutions to its clients, some of which include departments in Caesars Entertainment, NV Energy and Teriyaki Madness.

"We don't want to be order takers; we want to be solution creators in coming up with unique ideas," Hsu said of her company, which specializes in promotional merchandising.

Her business partner, Jenna Byrd, calls her driven and notes that customer service is always a priority. New to the business world, Byrd said her boss has taught her the importance of following up and making relationships with clients.

Hsu said she works at least 80 hours a week and always has business on the mind -- meeting potential clients everywhere she travels.

"You're kind of trained to be working all the time. It's kind of disgusting," the entrepreneur said, laughing. "But that is my passion: selling."

In the little free time she finds, Hsu said she likes to travel and try new foods. She is also involved in the Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Vegas Young Professionals. She volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and helps with American Cancer Society events, too.

"Yes, I am so busy as a business owner," she said. "But it's nice to step back and see what I can do for the community, too."

Contact Southwest and Spring Valley View reporter Jessica Fryman at jfryman@viewnews.com or 380-4535.