Top 5 finalists announced for Small Business BC Awards

BRITISH COLUMBIA, Jan. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - The Top 5 finalists have now been selected for the 12th Annual Small Business BC Awards, a province-wide competition where British Columbia's entrepreneurs and small business owners compete to have their company named a BC best business.

This year was the biggest year yet for the competition with over 460 nominations received from 70 communities across the province.

Nominated businesses that were successful in rallying the support of their community and gathered the most votes made it through to the Top 10, announced in December 2014.

These businesses have now been narrowed down by the judges to the Top 5 in 10 different categories:

PREMIER'S PEOPLE'S CHOICE Firehall Brewery – Oliver Game Quest – Prince George Julie's Edible Bouquets – Quesnel Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces – Whistler So Country Radio with Dennis Walker – Penticton	BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT eeko Couriers – Vancouver Mealshare – Vancouver Sole Girls – North Vancouver Spark Creations – Vancouver Squamish ReBuild Society – Squamish
BEST COMPANY CoreHealth Technologies – Kelowna Fully Managed – Vancouver Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces – Whistler Pro-Med Ambulance – Fort St. John Rocky Point Ice Cream – Port Moody	BEST CONCEPT Flytographer – Victoria Nourish – Kelowna Playgrounds Café – Prince George Soil Mate – Kelowna Swept Away Inn – Port Alberni
BEST EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR Float Space – Kelowna Hungry For Happiness – Vancouver My Alberni App – Port Alberni Plenty and Spare Naturals – Vancouver Rise Adventure & Wellness Solutions – Victoria	BEST EMPLOYER 6S Marketing – Vancouver Canadian Wilderness Adventures – Whistler Intuitive Independence Rehabilitation Services – Chilliwack Origin Gluten-Free Bakery – Victoria RDC Fine Homes – Whistler
BEST IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie – Burnaby Infinity Enterprises Group – Whistler Shiraz Cafe & Restaurant – Prince George Vancouver Tumblebus – Port Coquitlam Your Score Booster – Vancouver	BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE Averill Creek Vineyard – Duncan Branded Athletics – Coquitlam Doi Chaang Coffee Company – Vancouver Polar Feet – Vancouver Target Marine Hatcheries – Sechelt
BEST ONLINE MARKETER 505-Junk – Richmond All Inclusive Marketing – Vancouver Heartstrings Home Décor – Smithers The Greenery Garden Centre – Kelowna Vonbon Children's Apparel – Vancouver	BEST WORKPLACE AdvisorWebsites.com – Vancouver CCN – North Vancouver Chris's Sign & Lighting Service – Langley CoreHealth Technologies – Kelowna Mel's Mainstreet Pizza & Pasta – Enderby

The Top 5 finalists will now present a Dragons' Den-style pitch to the judges to convince them why they should be named a BC best business.

Winners will be announced on February 26, 2015 at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver, where 500 small business owners, government representatives and other key business influencers will enjoy an evening that recognizes the amazing entrepreneurs in the province.

More information on the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca 

Quick Facts

• Premier Christy Clark and the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business will deliver special messages at the 2014-15 Small Business BC Awards Ceremony.
• The winners of the first-ever Best Emerging Entrepreneur Award and Best Immigrant Entrepreneur Award will also be announced at this year's ceremony.
• Over 3,000 entrepreneurs have participated in the SBBC Awards competition since its inception.

Quotes

"Small Business BC is proud to acknowledge the exceptionally talented, creative and passionate entrepreneurs in our province. The SBBC Awards provide a platform to showcase the impact that small businesses are having on their communities and the contributions they're making to the economy and to celebrate the dedicated entrepreneurs who built them." – George Hunter, CEO, Small Business BC

"On behalf of IBC, I want to congratulate the hard-working, resourceful and skilled candidates in each category and wish them all the best in the final rounds. Thank you all for your dedicated efforts to better our communities and province. As small businesses are an integral part of British Columbia's economy, we are pleased to return as title sponsor of the Small Business BC Awards for the sixth consecutive year." – 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.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.  

P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 118,000 Canadians, pays $6.7 billion in taxes 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]