January 21, 2019 – Vancouver: The finalists of the 16th Annual Small Business BC Awards have been officially announced. 578 small businesses across B.C. were nominated for the Awards, and now five businesses in each award category have made the final cut and are one step closer to being named a top B.C. small business.
Small Business BC, in partnership with Canada Post, is proud to host the Small Business BC Awards, the largest small business awards competition in British Columbia.
In addition to shining a spotlight on BC’s small business leaders, this year’s Small Business BC Awards Gala will be held alongside the Open for Business Awards, which celebrate the communities that have championed entrepreneurship in B.C. Small Business BC and the Province of British Columbia are proud to announce the communities who have made it to the finals of the Open for Business Awards. The finalists selected have showcased their commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship by adopting business-friendly practices in their communities.
The Open for Business Awards finalists are as follows:
Large Community Finalists: Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Prince George
Medium Community Finalists: Cranbrook, Ladysmith, Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation
Small Community Finalists: Gibsons, Lumby, Ucluelet
In partnership with the BC Small Business Roundtable, Small Business BC will host the Open for Business Awards at the Small Business BC Awards Gala on February 21, 2019 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where the winners of each category will be announced.
The 16th Annual Small Business BC Awards finalists for all ten categories are as follows, in alphabetical order.
Premier’s People’s Choice
Presented by the Province of British Columbia
Legends Academy, Abbotsford
Munday Media & Design, Oliver
Namaskar Yoga, Parksville
Sue’s Clothesline, Creston
The Realm of Toys, Williams Lake
Best Apprentice Training
Presented by ITA
Geotility Geothermal Installations Corporation, Kelowna.
Murphy Construction Corp. Pemberton
RDC Fine Homes, Whistler
The Garage, Burnaby
Whistler Cooks, Whistler
Best Community Impact
Presented by Vancity
Long Table Grocery, Quesnel
MakerLabs, Vancouver
Namaskar Yoga, Parksville
Okanagan RAWSOME, Grindrod
Young Moviemakers, Vancouver
Best Company
ARPA Investments, Kamloops
Boldly Creative, Vancouver
Glutenull, Coquitlam
Jade Electrolysis, Richmond
Rycor, Vancouver
Best Concept
Barnacle Systems Inc. Victoria
Haywood Golf, Vancouver
Locelle Digital Inc. North Saanich
Mr. Quinley’s Weird, Wonderful and (Sometimes) Slightly Odd Adventures, Surrey
susGRAINable, Vancouver
Best Employer
COCO Cafe, Cedar
Insights West, Vancouver
Lux Insights, North Vancouver
MQN Architecture and Interior Design, Vernon
Murphy Construction Corp. Pemberton
Best Immigrant Entrepreneur
Presented by Small Business BC
Arora Comfortechs, Vancouver
e-Visa Immigration Services Inc. Vancouver
Kipling Media Ltd. Vancouver
Marwick Marketing, Squamish
Moving2Canada.com, Vancouver
Best Innovation
AirGMS, Vancouver
Coulson Ice Blast, Port Alberni
Enercheez, Nelson
The Self Publishing Agency, North Vancouver
Traction Guest, Burnaby
Best International Trade
Shakti Acupressure Mat Canada, Vancouver
Sumo Environmental Products Inc. Vancouver
Thai Roots Trading Corp. Vancouver
Best Marketer
Claris Media, Fernie
KIMBO Design Inc. Vancouver
Kipling Media Ltd. Vancouver
Longevity Graphics, Coquitlam
SYN Interactive, Vancouver
For the last step in the Awards’ judging process, the finalists will pitch their business, and its success, to a panel of business experts. The winners will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Gala and will receive the Premier’s Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash, a one-year All-Access Pass to Small Business BC education and experts, and the honour of being named one of B.C.’s top businesses.
More details about the Small Business BC Awards can be found at http://sbbcawards.ca/.
—
Quotes
“The Open For Business and Small Business BC Awards recognize small business owners and entrepreneurs who contribute to our communities and economy through the creation of good jobs,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. “Congratulations to this year’s finalists for establishing innovative businesses that are making B.C. a better place to live, work and invest.”
“We are excited to celebrate entrepreneurship in B.C. and are thrilled with the engagement of B.C.’s small businesses and the communities that support them. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the all finalists and wish them luck in this leg of the competition,” – Sara Clark, VP of Strategic Projects, Small Business BC.
“We are very proud of all the nominees and would like to sincerely congratulate the finalists. Canada Post is honoured to be a part of the Small Business BC Awards, and we look forward to celebrating the best of B.C.’s small business community.” – Lise Cote, General Manager of Consumer and Small Business Marketing, Canada Post.
Media Contact:
George Mohan
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607
[email protected]
About Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources there’s a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking “How do I…?” Small Business BC is the one to call.
About Canada Post
Canada Post is Canada’s primary postal operator, providing service to more than 16 million addresses and delivering nearly 8.4 billion items in 2016, and title sponsor of the 2018 Small Business BC Awards. They are committed to providing innovative physical and electronic delivery solutions that create value for customers, small business and Canadians.
About the Province of British Columbia
The B.C. government recognizes that small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities, and the backbone of our economy. Small business plays a vital role in developing both the economic and social fabric of our province. The Small Business Branch, through the Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology, is committed to supporting and developing small businesses throughout the province in every stage of the business lifecycle. It’s part of our goal to make B.C. the most small-business friendly jurisdiction in Canada.
About the Small Business Roundtable
The permanent Small Business Roundtable was established in 2005 to engage in a dialogue with small business owners to identify the key issues and opportunities facing small businesses in British Columbia, and to develop recommendations for small business and government on strategies to enhance small business growth and success.