Mary Verdin, owner of San Luis Obispo-based marketing company Verdin, is a finalist for a Stevie Award for Women in Business.

She is one of eight finalists nationwide for female entrepreneur of the year for businesses of 10 or fewer employees in the advertising, marketing & public relations category.

Verdin’s employees nominated her for the honor, of which she will ultimately be a gold, silver or bronze winner. She founded Verdin in 2003 as a one-woman business and now has 10 employees.

Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.