Nominate your favourite small business for BC awards
By Contributor
Small business owners have the opportunity to be recognized as one of BC’s top entrepreneurs for their contribution to their local community and to the global economy as part of the Small Business BC Awards.
The Small Business BC Awards celebrate the top small businesses and rising stars across British Columbia. With ten diverse award categories this year, there’s one suited for every entrepreneur – whether they own a company operating for over 15 years or they’re still creating a business plan.
The contest is open for nominations from October 1, 2014 to November 30, 2014. The public is invited to nominate their favourite small businesses, defined as less than 50 employees, for a Small Business BC Award. Entrepreneurs may also nominate themselves. Business owners can compete in the following award categories:
- · Best Company, sponsored by TELUS
- · Best Workplace, sponsored by WellnessFits
- · Best Concept, sponsored by MNP
- · Best International Trade, sponsored by Livingston International
- · Best Employer, sponsored by WorkSafeBC
- · Premier’s People’s Choice, sponsored by the Government of British Columbia
- · Best Online Marketer, sponsored by Sage
- · Best Community Impact, sponsored by Vancity
*This year’s new award categories
- · *Best Immigrant Entrepreneur.sponsored by S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
- · *Best Emerging Entrepreneur, sponsored by Futurpreneur and the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
New this year is the Best Emerging Entrepreneur Award, which recognizes a young individual who contributes to the social, cultural and economic well-being of their communities. This individual has demonstrated community leadership and entrepreneurial initiative, and has a strong vision for change. Also added this year is the Best Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, which recognizes an outstanding new Canadian who has started a successful business in BC. This individual has overcome adversity, exhibits leadership both in their community and within their business, and has strong track record of business growth.
“Every year we strive to increase the impact of the SBBC Awards so we can better support and celebrate BC small business owners. This year, we’re pleased to add two new award categories,” says George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. “Our small business community is driven by hard working committed individuals from diverse backgrounds who understand both the value of community and the opportunity to live and work in our wonderful province. That’s why we felt it important to add the categories Best Emerging Entrepreneur Award and Best Immigrant Entrepreneur Award to the contest.”
Each award winner will receive the Premier’s Prize of $1,500 cash, a one-year All-Access Pass to Small Business BC education and resources, and one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from the award sponsors.
“IBC is pleased to be a part of the Small Business BC Awards which recognize the strength and talent of entrepreneurs. Small businesses are one of the key drivers of the economy and job creation – which is why we’re delighted to have been title sponsor of this event for the last six years,” says Bill Adams, IBC Vice-President, Western and Pacific.
Nominated business owners will be tasked with gaining as many votes as possible through social media, word of mouth, e-mail or any other means possible by November 30, 2014.
The top 10 highest voted nominees in each category will be announced as finalists on December 12, 2014, then go on to submit an application which judges will use to determine the top five finalists from each category, announced on January 30, 2015. The top five finalists will present a ten-minute Dragons’ Den-style pitch to judges to prove themselves to be one of BC’s best.
The winners of each category will be announced at the Small Business BC Awards Ceremony on February 26, 2015 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel.
More details on the Small Business BC Awards can be found at www.sbbcawards.ca.
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