His company's motto is "This mountain's on the move."

But Jeffrey Bowling has stayed close to home to develop one of Eastern Kentucky's most successful homegrown industries.

Bowling, the founder/owner of Mountain Tarp and Awning Inc., of Middlesboro, recently received the 2003 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award from Eastern Kentucky University's College of Business & Technology.

Nominees for the award must reside or have businesses located in a 47-county region of eastern and southeastern Kentucky. Award recipients are determined by the economic success of the enterprise, contributions to the community and operational achievement as measured by innovative employee training programs, superior use of technology and safety achievement, and sustainability.

"Jeff Bowling is an excellent entrepreneur who has created a successful business from inception to its current global marketing position," said Dr. Bob Rogow, dean of EKU's College of Business & Technology. "He saw a perceived market need and had the courage, motivation and discipline to make his idea a success. Jeff is a wonderful role model and inspiration to all potential entrepreneurs in Eastern Kentucky."

Mountain Tarp was started in 1987 on a bet Bowling made with a cousin. The cousin said he would lend Bowling $4,000 if he could sell 20 tarps in three days. Bowling fell three tarps short of his goal, but it was enough to satisfy the cousin, and Mountain Tarp was born.

Sales have grown steadily, doubling in the last five years. The firm, which employs 85, produces 500-700 tarps each week, and Bowling expects sales to double again within the next four years.

When he reached his initial goals, Bowling was "sadly disappointed (because) I felt like I didn't set my goals high enough. So I've set new goals and I'm not there yet."

As demand for his product continues to grow, Bowling offers a five-point formula for success:

· Overbuild.

· When problems occur, attack them. Take care of problems head-on.

· Never ask anyone to do something you wouldn't do yourself.

· Don't close your ears to other employees' ideas. Listen.

· Surround yourself with great people and let them do their job.

He tells would-be entrepreneurs to "develop tunnel vision on what you want to do and dedicate your life to it. Days no longer have hours to them; they have things that must be done."