Introduced by Philip Solomon, CEO of Palladio Beauty Group

Thank you, Philip, for the kind introduction and the wonderful tour. My thanks also for continuing to reach out to world markets to grow your business.

Exports are critically important to our national economy. They support millions of jobs and generate innovative goods and services. Impressively, Palladio Beauty Group has successfully penetrated many international markets since your founding in 1985. And in 2016, your superior performance in exporting earned you the President’s E-Award.

In the last four successive years since winning the E-Award, Palladio has continued to make significant contributions in U.S. export expansion as well as innovations in product design and marketing.

So for your sustaining commitment to your workers and to the U.S. export economy, it is my honor to present Palladio Beauty Group with the President’s E-Star Award for 4 consecutive years of improved export sales. This award is well-deserved. Congratulations!

The President’s E-Awards are the highest honors given to U.S. exporters. And of the 39 E-Awards recipients this year, Palladio is the only E-Star winner.

The Commerce Department is proud to partner with you in your search for customers beyond our borders. And my Department’s U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) will continue to provide assistance and resources to you as you grow your business further.

You have come a long way since you first built the largest beauty supply makeup company in the U.S.  I am proud of USCS’ extensive work with Palladio over the last 20 years as you expanded internationally. We helped you achieve your most recent market breakthrough, to Argentina in April of last year as a result of a Commerce Department trade mission to that country.

The Trump Administration has been working since day one to remove trade barriers and open new markets for Palladio and other U.S. firms. Notably, when the President’s USMCA went into effect this year, it immediately leveled the playing field for American companies doing business with Mexico and Canada.

These are the number two and number three top markets for Florida. And Mexico is one of Palladio’s top three international markets. The USMCA agreement will generate more economic growth while the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, and as we advance through economic recovery.

As I close here today, I thank you once more for your work growing exports from the United States. And I encourage you to share the valuable expertise you’ve gained through this work with your community. Become a mentor to other businesses. Or consider participating on an Industry Trade Advisory Committee to advise the U.S. Government on how to craft trade deals that work for U.S. companies first.

Congratulations again to you and the entire Palladio Beauty team. You stand out as a shining example of the American ingenuity and perseverance that are the foundation of our great country. Keep up the good work!