Top 10 Companies Announced for Small Business BC Awards

VANCOUVER, Dec. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - 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-moth, 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	BEST COMMMUNITY IMPACT
- Blooming Arrangements, Houston	- Bob's Bar & Grill, Riondel
- Firehall Brewery, Oliver	- Coast Salish Development Corporation, Ladysmith
- Game Quest, Prince George	- Cowpuccino's, Prince Rupert
- Industry Hair and Body Care, Campbell River	- eeko Couriers Inc., Vancouver
- Julie's Edible Bouquets, Quesnel	- Lighthouse Visionary Strategies, Whistler
- Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces Ltd., Whistler	- Mealshare, Vancouver
- On Top Fashion, Port Alberni	- Sole Girls, North Vancouver
- RM Stone Masonry, Kamloops	- Spark Creations, Vancouver
- So Country Radio with Dennis Walker, Penticton	- Squamish ReBuild Society, Squamish
- Soup Wallah, Fort St. James	- The Rice Box, Vernon
BEST COMPANY	BEST CONCEPT
- Alitis Investment Counsel, Campbell River	- Flytographer, Victoria
- CoreHealth Technologies, Kelowna	- Kekuli Café, Merritt
- Fully Managed, Vancouver	- Mealshare, Vancouver
- Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces Ltd., Whistler	- Nourish, Kelowna
- Omega & Associates Engineering Ltd., Chilliwack	- Playgrounds Cafe, Prince George
- Peregrine, Vancouver	- porsche-ella, Kelowna
- Pro-Med Ambulance Services, Fort St. John	- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria
- RaceRocks 3D, Victoria	- Soil Mate, Kelowna
- Rocky Point Ice Cream, Port Moody	- Swept Away Inn, Port Alberni
- Versatile Fitness, Fort St. John	- Willow Wellness Centre, Denny Island
BEST EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR	BEST EMPLOYER
- Culinary Ink GastroVentures Ltd., Kelowna	- 6S Marketing Inc., Vancouver
- Float Space, Kelowna	- Canadian Wilderness Adventures, Whistler
- Hungry For Happiness, Vancouver	- Casanova Painting, Maple Ridge
- Iron Oxide Art Supplies, Nanaimo	- Durning Directions and Services Ltd., Vernon
- Jane Long, Chartered Accountant, Osoyoos	- Dynamic Owl, Vancouver
- My Alberni App, Port Alberni	- Gray Monk Estate Winery, Lake Country
- Plenty and Spare Naturals, Vancouver	- Intuitive Independence Rehabilitation Services, Chilliwack
- Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions, Victoria	- Origin Gluten-Free Bakery Ltd., Victoria
-  The Juicery Co., North Vancouver	- R&B Plumbing & Heating Ltd., North Vancouver
- White Rock Skimboarding, White Rock	- RDC Fine Homes Inc., Whistler

BEST IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR	BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE
- Amando Natural Stone, Delta	- Arcadia Trading Inc., Richmond
- Andrew Watson Design, Vancouver	- Averill Creek Vineyard, Duncan
- Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie, Burnaby	- Branded Athletics, Coquitlam
- Infinity Enterprises Group Ltd., Whistler	- Doi Chaang Coffee Company, Vancouver
- Kasa Supply Ltd., Surrey	- IWEARTHEHEADRESS, Vancouver
- Nanaimo and Voyager Magazine, Nanaimo	- Manatee Holdings Ltd., Courtenay
- Shiraz Cafe and Restaurant, Prince George	- Orazio's Olive Oil, Vancouver
- Success Road Enterprises, Vancouver	- Polar Feet, Vancouver
- Vancouver Tumblebus, Port Coquitlam	- Target Marine Hatcheries, Sechelt
- Your Score Booster, Vancouver	- VIVO Masks, Vancouver
BEST ONLINE MARKETER	BEST WORKPLACE
- 505-Junk, Richmond	- AdvisorWebsites.com, Vancouver
- All Inclusive Marketing, Vancouver	- CCN North, North Vancouver
- Barkerville Brewing Co., Quesnel	- CoreHealth Technologies, Kelowna
- Heartstrings Home Décor, Smithers	- Cowpuccino's Coffee House, Prince Rupert
- Social Media Minder, Langley	- Mel's Mainstreet Pizza & Pasta, Enderby
- SocioVisual, Maple Ridge	- Nucleus Networks Inc., Vancouver
- The Greenery Garden Centre, Kelowna	- Sproing Creative, Vernon
- VIVO Masks, Vancouver	- Chris's Sign Services Inc, Langley
- Vonbon Children's Apparel Inc., Vancouver	-VentureWeb, Squamish
- Web Friendly, Vancouver	- 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

Quick Facts

• Over 3,000 entrepreneurs 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.

Quotes

"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

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.smallbusinessbc.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.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

Media Contact: Mark Blendheim, Communications Manager, Small Business BC, Direct: 604-775-5607 | Cell: 604-339-4759, [email protected]