British Columbia – December 12, 2014: The Top 10 semi-finalists for the 12th Annual Small Business BC Awards have now been selected. These awards acknowledge the contribution that over 400,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs in the province make to their local communities and the global economy.
From October 1 to November 30, British Columbians were asked to nominate and vote for their favourite small businesses. This year was the biggest year yet for the competition with over 460 nominations received from upwards of 70 communities across the province.
Nominated companies were given two months to gain as many votes as possible through word-of-mouth, social media, e-communications and other creative means. Those who activated their communities and received the most votes have been named Top 10 semi-finalists.
These extraordinary small businesses will now move forward to face a panel of judges, who will review their applications, and based on the award criteria, narrow down the competition to the Top 5 finalists in each category.
Top 10 Semi-Finalists
PREMIER’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE
- Blooming Arrangements, Houston
- Firehall Brewery, Oliver
- Game Quest, Prince George
- Industry Hair and Body Care, Campbell River
- Julie's Edible Bouquets, Quesnel
- Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces Ltd., Whistler
- On Top Fashion, Port Alberni
- RM Stone Masonry, Kamloops
- So Country Radio with Dennis Walker, Penticton
- Soup Wallah, Fort St. James
BEST COMMMUNITY IMPACT
- Bob's Bar & Grill, Riondel
- Coast Salish Development Corporation, Ladysmith
- Cowpuccino's, Prince Rupert
- eeko Couriers Inc., Vancouver
- Lighthouse Visionary Strategies, Whistler
- Mealshare, Vancouver
- Sole Girls, North Vancouver
- Spark Creations, Vancouver
- Squamish ReBuild Society, Squamish
- The Rice Box, Vernon
BEST COMPANY
- Alitis Investment Counsel, Campbell River
- CoreHealth Technologies, Kelowna
- Fully Managed, Vancouver
- Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces Ltd., Whistler
- Omega & Associates Engineering Ltd., Chilliwack
- Peregrine, Vancouver
- Pro-Med Ambulance Services, Fort St. John
- RaceRocks 3D, Victoria
- Rocky Point Ice Cream, Port Moody
- Versatile Fitness, Fort St. John
BEST CONCEPT
- Flytographer, Victoria
- Kekuli Caf̩, Merritt
- Mealshare, Vancouver
- Nourish, Kelowna
- Playgrounds Cafe, Prince George
- porsche-ella, Kelowna
- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria
- Soil Mate, Kelowna
- Swept Away Inn, Port Alberni
- Willow Wellness Centre, Denny Island
BEST EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR
- Culinary Ink GastroVentures Ltd., Kelowna
- Float Space, Kelowna
- Hungry For Happiness, Vancouver
- Iron Oxide Art Supplies, Nanaimo
- Jane Long, Chartered Accountant, Osoyoos
- My Alberni App, Port Alberni
- Plenty and Spare Naturals, Vancouver
- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria
- The Juicery Co., North Vancouver
- White Rock Skimboarding, White Rock
BEST EMPLOYER
- 6S Marketing Inc., Vancouver
- Canadian Wilderness Adventures, Whistler
- Casanova Painting, Maple Ridge
- Durning Directions and Services Ltd., Vernon
- Dynamic Owl, Vancouver
- Gray Monk Estate Winery, Lake Country
- Intuitive Independence Rehabilitation Services, Chilliwack
- Origin Gluten-Free Bakery Ltd., Victoria
- R&B Plumbing & Heating Ltd., North Vancouver
- RDC Fine Homes Inc., Whistler
BEST IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR
- Amando Natural Stone, Delta
- Andrew Watson Design, Vancouver
- Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie, Burnaby
- Infinity Enterprises Group Ltd., Whistler
- Kasa Supply Ltd., Surrey
- Nanaimo and Voyager Magazine, Nanaimo
- Shiraz Cafe and Restaurant, Prince George
- Success Road Enterprises, Vancouver
- Vancouver Tumblebus, Port Coquitlam
- Your Score Booster, Vancouver
BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE
- Arcadia Trading Inc., Richmond
- Averill Creek Vineyard, Duncan
- Branded Athletics, Coquitlam
- Doi Chaang Coffee Company, Vancouver
- IWEARTHEHEADRESS, Vancouver
- Manatee Holdings Ltd., Courtenay
- Orazio's Olive Oil, Vancouver
- Polar Feet, Vancouver
- Target Marine Hatcheries, Sechelt
- VIVO Masks, Vancouver
BEST ONLINE MARKETER
- 505-Junk, Richmond
- All Inclusive Marketing, Vancouver
- Barkerville Brewing Co., Quesnel
- Heartstrings Home D̩cor, Smithers
- Social Media Minder, Langley
- SocioVisual, Maple Ridge
- The Greenery Garden Centre, Kelowna
- VIVO Masks, Vancouver
- Vonbon Children's Apparel Inc., Vancouver
- Web Friendly, Vancouver
BEST WORKPLACE
- AdvisorWebsites.com, Vancouver
- CCN North, North Vancouver
- CoreHealth Technologies, Kelowna
- Cowpuccino's Coffee House, Prince Rupert
- Mel's Mainstreet Pizza & Pasta, Enderby
- Nucleus Networks Inc., Vancouver
- Sproing Creative, Vernon
- Chris's Sign Services Inc, Langley
- VentureWeb, Squamish
- White Kennedy LLP, Penticton
The Top 5 finalists in these categories will be announced on January 30, 2015, and invited to give a Dragons’ Den-style pitch in front of a panel of judges on why they should be named the best in BC.
The winners will be honored and celebrated on February 26, 2015 at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony in Vancouver. The night will include messages from Premier Christy Clark and the Honourable Minister Naomi Yamamoto, among others.
More information on the finalists and the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca
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Quick Facts
- Over 3,000 entrepr have participated in the awards competition since its inception.
- This year, Small Business BC introduced two new award categories for Best Emerging Entrepreneur and Best Immigrant Entrepreneur.
- Premier Christy Clark and the BC Government are supporting the awards for the second year through the Premier’s People’s Choice Award, and the Premier’s Prize of $1,500 cash given to each of the award category winners.
Quoteseneurs
“This year we saw a tremendous amount of participation in the Small Business BC Awards through a high number of nominees coming in from across the province. It’s fantastic to see so many small businesses being recognized, not only for their success, but also for the positive impact they’re having on their local communities and the contributions they’re making to the economy. It’s going to be a tough job selecting the winners, but we’re very excited to see who comes out on top.” – George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC
“The substantial growth in participation in the 2015 Small Business BC Awards is a clear indicator of the significant impact small business has here in British Columbia. IBC wishes the finalists continued success in the next round of competition and extends its thanks to all small businesses for the huge contribution they continue to make to both the economy and our communities.” – Bill Adams, VP, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Media Contact:
Mark Blendheim
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
Direct: 604-775-5607 | Cell: 604-339-4759
[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. To view press releases and other information, visit Small Business BC’s website at www.s716188362.online-home.ca. Follow SBBC on Twitter @smallbusinessbc or like us on Facebook.
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The private P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes and levies to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.