TRURO – The Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s Small Business Week award recipients.
“The quality of the applications was excellent,” said Chamber President Alex Stevenson. The people operating these businesses are amazing and all are truly deserving of recognition.
“However, there can only be one winner in each category and the decisions were difficult. I thank our vetting committee for their hard work, and I thank everyone who took the time to submit nominations.”
The award recipients of 2017 are: New Small Business of the Year, Yoka Sushi; Small Business Achievement, S. Sorenson Electric Ltd.; Small Business Innovation, Tobias Portraiture; Export Achievement, My HOME Apparel ; Excellence in Community Development, The Nook & Cranny; Small Business Growth, Berry’s Furniture ; and Agriculture/Agri-Small Business, Truro Agromart Ltd. The seven awards are sponsored by Community Credit Union, PWC, RBC, Nova Scotia Business Inc., Town of Truro, BDC and MNP LLP, respectively.
Recipients will be honoured at this year’s Small Business Week Award Luncheon, Oct. 18, 12 p.m., at the Best Western Glengarry and Conference Centre. All nominees will receive recognition for their contributions to the local economy during the luncheon. Guest speaker will be Heather Coulombe, of the Farmer’s Daughter Country Market, Whycocomagh, NS. The business offered free land in return for employment at their store last year and received 200,000 emails in reply.
To reserve seats at the luncheon, contact the Chamber of Commerce office by calling 902-895-6328 or email [email protected]. Seats cost $25 for chamber members and $35 for future members (plus tax).
The Chamber will kick off a week of Small Business Week activities with a Women in Business Breakfast on Monday, Oct. 16 at the Holiday Inn from 8:30 to 10 a.m. with guest speakers Miriah Kearney, Founder and CEO, My Home Apparel and Stephanie Jones, Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants. This event is offered to all business women in the community at no cost. Registration is required.
On Oct. 17 Patterson Law’s Truro Business law practice group will present Building Business Success in partnership with the Truro & Colchester Chamber of Commerce. This event will bring together key business leaders to both celebrate this area’s economic success and provide business owners at all stages with tools to build a foundation for sustainable growth.
Using a panel presentation format led by professionals and other business owners, each session provides practical advice for concrete examples identifying best strategies for success for any entrepreneur. This event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marigold Cultural Centre. There is no charge for this event and a complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided.
RSVP by emailing [email protected]
The panel discussion themes are navigating successful business transition from generation to generation, leveraging technology for success, smart growth, impact of proposed tax changes on small business, attracting top talent and protecting your business assets.
On Oct. 19 a member’s networking night will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marigold Cultural Centre.
The last event of Small Business Week on Friday will be Live & Work. This event will allow businesses to participate in an initiative to build the vibrancy of our region and reach out to our future workforce. The purpose is to bring attention to our community offerings and build a competitive awareness to assist youth in securing employment and developing an attractive lifestyle here. We welcome businesses of all kinds, big and small, to join us in showcasing the local opportunities.
To participate, businesses are asked to register with the Chamber as a Live and Work location willing to open their doors to visitors on the event day. We ask that someone be available to greet visitors at their location between 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., as well as to answer questions about the job opportunities in their field of work.
Watch the chamber website and Facebook page for a schedule of chamber-hosted events and details on other Small Business Week events in the area.