SOOKE – Starting your own business takes a special kind of crazy. Becoming an entrepreneur means being vulnerable all the time. We knowingly and intentionally put ourselves in the position where we are judged on what we produce or don’t produce, what we say and don’t say, how fast or slow we do our thing, and of course our successes and failures. Everything is hanging out there for the world to see and to either embrace us or chew us up and spit us out.
I can’t imagine there hasn’t been a business owner who, at some point, didn’t question his or her own mental faculties. Who didn’t ask themselves, “Why in the world am I doing this? Why am I struggling so hard to bring something to the world that doesn’t seem appreciated anyway??”
As consumers, steeped in our own day-to-day lives and personal struggles, we often forget that business owners are people too. Successful business or not, we forget we are not entitled to their services just because they have had the courage to follow a dream and open a business in an attempt to make their lives better or to make your lives better. That is why recognition nights are so important. In a time when we are so quick to rant, it is critical that thanks and encouragement also be given or no one will be crazy enough to give it a go ever again.
On Saturday April 16th we celebrated the businesses and non-profit organizations of Sooke and the surrounding region. It was a night of laughter, cheers and tears as our business community was recognized for all their efforts. Congratulations to all our winners, finalists, nominees and all the business owners who made it through another year. Without your dedication, drive and little bit of crazy, we would not have the quality of life we do.
Presenting the 16th Annual Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award winners: Professional Services Excellence Award – Mason Financial; Retail and Services Excellence Award – Rustic Roots Hair Studio; Manufacturing and Industry Excellence Award – SeaFlora Wild Organic Seaweed Skincare; Dining and Hospitality Excellence Award – Little Vienna Bakery Café and Marketplace; Sustainability Leadership Excellence Award – Sooke Fall Fair; Home-based Business Excellence Award – Star Mobile Aesthetics; Not-for-profit Organization Excellence Award – Sooke Community Association; New Business of the Year Excellence Award – Seaside Yarn & Button; Business of the Year Excellence Award – Sooke Fax and CopyCentre and People’s Choice – Sooke PocketNews.
– Kerry Cavers is the president of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce and can be reached at the Chamber office at 250-642-6112.
