Nine Kelowna Businesses Nominated for Small Business BC Awards

A handful of Kelowna businesses will now be vying to win the 13^th annual Small Business BC Awards as the nominations have been released.

A total of nine small businesses in Kelowna have been nominated including:

• Apple Artworks - Best Workplace
• Cottage Quilting - Premier's People's Choice
• Cryo Care - Best Emerging Entrepreneur
• Float Space - Premier's People's Choice
• Phoenix Interior Design Inc. - Best Concept
• The Executor's Assistant - Best Concept
• The Habitat - Best Community Impact
• Taylor Pro Training Ltd. - Best Apprentice Training
• Okanagan Lake Realty Ltd. - Premier's People's Choice

The Small Business BC Awards are considered the most visible awards program for independent businesses in the province. The awards celebrate businesses that have fewer than 50 employees, and make contributions to the local community and global economy.

“Small Business BC takes great pride in celebrating entrepreneurs and helping them to become more successful. While individually small, these businesses have a big reputation across Canada and around the world,” said George Hunter, CEO at Small Business BC. “I am delighted to see Kelowna’s vibrant business community entering the Small Business BC Awards to be recognized for their achievements both locally and globally."

Recipients of the awards will be recognized with the Premier’s Prize in the amount of $1,500 cash and winner will also be offered a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education resources and experts. They will be given one-on-one business mentorship opportunities with notable advisors from award sponsors.

The contest is open for nominations and voting until November 30, 2015. The public is invited to nominate their favourite small businesses for a Small Business BC Award. 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.

The businesses with the highest number of votes in each award category will be announced as the Top 10 on December 11, 2015. These nominees will submit a detailed application that judges will use to determine the Top 5 finalists from each award category, announced on January 29^th, 2016. The Top 5 finalists will then be invited to present a 10-minute Dragons' Den-style pitch to the judges to prove themselves as one of BC’s best.

The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in Vancouver on February 25^th, 2016. More information about the Small Business BC Awards can be found here.