SUSAN Chong, founder and CEO of packaging solutions firm Greenpac, never dreamed that she would one day be leading an organisation that she once deemed too prestigious for her to join.

"When Spring Singapore first suggested that I try taking part in the Awards, I told them I won't bother. It's for the big boys," she laughs.

But try she did, and Greenpac exceeded expectations by getting ranked fourth among the top SMEs in 2008. Ms Chong joined the E50 Association shortly after.