VANCOUVER ISLAND – The semi-finalists have now been selected for the 12th Annual Small Business BC Awards, and 12 of them are from Vancouver Island, including businesses in Campbell River, Courtenay, Duncan, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Victoria.
“This year we saw a tremendous amount of participation in the Small Business BC Awards from across the province,” says George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC. “It’s fantastic to see some of the many small businesses from Vancouver Island nominated and recognized, not only for their success, but also for the positive impact they’re having on their local communities and the global economy. It’s going to be a tough job selecting the winners, but we’re very excited to see who comes out on top.” –
The Small Business BC 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. Over 460 nominations were received, from over 70 communities across the province, including 36 nominations from Vancouver Island.
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 the Top 10 semi-finalists.
The semi-finalists from Vancouver Island include:
- Best Community Impact
- Coast Salish Development Corp., Ladysmith
- Best Company
- Alitis Investment Counsel, Campbell River
- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria
- Best Concept
- Flytographer, Victoria
- RaceRocks 3D, Victoria
- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria
- Swept Away Inn, Port Alberni
- Best Emerging Entrepreneur
- Iron Oxide Art Supplies, Nanaimo
- MyAlberni App, Port Alberni
- Original Gluten-Free Bakery Ltd., Victoria
- Best Immigrant Entrepreneur
- Nanaimo & Voyager Magazine, Nanaimo
- Best Employer
- Swept Away Inn, Victoria
- Premier’s People’s Choice
- Industry Hair & Body Care, Campbell River
- On Top Fashion, Port Alberni
- Best International Trade
- Averill Creek Vineyard, Duncan
- Manatee Holdings Ltd., Courtenay
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.
The Top 5 finalists in these categories will be announced on January 30, 2015, and invited to give a Dragons’ Den-style pitch on why they should be named the best in BC.
The winners will be honoured 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 semi-finalists and the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.