Top BC companies named finalists in Small Business Awards

BRITISH COLUMBIA, Dec. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - British Columbians have voted and the top ten B.C. businesses in eight award categories have been announced as part of the Small Business BC Awards contest.

The top ten semi-finalists were selected by residents of B.C. through online voting. Nominees had two months to gain as many votes as possible for their business using social media, e-communications and word of mouth. Those with the most votes in each award category have been named top ten semi-finalists in the competition.

This year a total of 417 nominations were received and 37,650 votes collected.

"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," said George Hunter, CEO of Small Business BC. "With the high quality of nominees this year it's going to be a tough job selecting the winners, but we're very excited to see who comes out on top."

Businesses in industries as diverse as manufacturing, technology and hospitality were nominated from 55 cities across B.C. Nominations for the awards increased this year by 122 per cent, showing growth in B.C. entrepreneurs' desire to be recognized.

"IBC congratulates Small Business BC on the significant increase in participation in their awards contest this year. It's clear that many talented small business owners see the awards process as a growth and development opportunity and that their customers are committed to acknowledging success. We wish all the finalists continued success in the next round of competition," said Bill Adams, IBC Vice-President, Western and Pacific.

The top ten semi-finalists must now complete an extended award application which will be used to narrow down the competition to the top five finalists in each category. The top five finalists will be announced on January 30, 2014.

The overall winners will be honored on February 27, 2014 at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. More information on the finalists and the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca

TOP TEN SEMI-FINALISTS:

BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT Bamboletta Dolls, Cowichan Bay Fruiticana Produce, Surrey Go Kimberley Magazine, Kimberly Green Chair Recycling, Vancouver On The Farm Country Market, Squamish Recruiting Social, Vancouver Save Everyday, Vancouver Skipper Otto's Community Supported Fishery, Vancouver The Green Kiss, Victoria Yoga With Kerry, Trail	BEST COMPANY ASAP group, Langley AZ World Translation & Interpretation Inc., North Vancouver Burger55, Penticton Disruptive Media Publishers, Vancouver Ellason Signature Homes, Maple Ridge Fitness on the Go, Vancouver Fruiticana Produce, Surrey Pink Ribbon Bakery, New Westminster Save Everyday, Vancouver Tours by Locals, Vancouver
BEST CONCEPT Cloud 9 Float Spa, Coquitlam Float House, Vancouver Medeo, Vancouver Music Heals, Vancouver Roam Mobility, Vancouver Sole Girls, North Vancouver Thank You Products, Campbell River The Chinatown Experiment, Vancouver The Housse - United Stagers and Stylists, Victoria Vancouver Tumblebus, Port Coquitlam	BEST EMPLOYER Bike Hike Adventures, Vancouver Coastal Trademark Services Ltd., Vancouver Fully Managed, Vancouver Kary Movers Ltd, Surrey Neutron Factory Works Inc., Delta North Burnaby Physiotherapy and Wellness, Burnaby Pender Auto Body, Vancouver The Oracle, Whistler The Williams & White Group of Companies, Burnaby Vancouver General Contractors, Vancouver
BEST GREEN BUSINESS Clean Air Yard Care Inc., Victoria Eclipse Awards, Vancouver Green Chair Recycling, Vancouver Green Circle Salons, Vancouver Lush Eco Lawns, Duncan Manatee Holdings Ltd., Courtenay MattressRecycling.ca, Vancouver Natural Pod, Vancouver Watertiger, Vancouver Westcoast Plastic Recycling Inc., Richmond	BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE Endeavor Snowboards Inc., Vancouver Export Ventures Group Inc., Vancouver Fruiticana Produce, Surrey Herbaland Naturals Inc., Richmond Kahuna Paddleboards, Whistler Mason Industries, Surrey The Oracle, Whistler Westcoast Plastic Recycling Inc., Richmond Williams & White Equipment, Burnaby Xanatos Marine Ltd., North Vancouver
BEST WORKPLACE Casanova Enterprises Inc., Maple Ridge Cycle Component Network Bikes, North Vancouver Cucumber Marketing Inc., Vancouver Excel Career College, Courtenay Homeroom Small Business Solutions, Vancouver i-worx, North Vancouver Stage Right etc., Kelowna Start Smart Childcare Centre, Maple Ridge The Oracle, Whistler Victory Square Games, Vancouver	BEST ONLINE MARKETER CMEFIRST, Lantzville LAT Multilingual Translation & Marketing Inc., Vancouver Main Street Communications Ltd., Maple Ridge Make It Productions, Vancouver Mason Industries, Surrey Sapphire SEO, Vancouver The Bench, Kamloops West Coast Tank Recovery Incorporated, North Vancouver West Coast Thrift, Nanaimo Wildflowers Aromatherapy and Gifts, Vancouver

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.
Visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca

About Insurance Bureau of Canada: Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent approximately 90% of the private property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $46 billion.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

Media Contact:
Sara Couper
Communications Manager, Small Business BC
604-775-5607 [email protected]