Shining Bright In Small Business: CBS Showcases Bright Business Awards
By Craig Westcott | The Shoreline
Sobey’s was the winner of the Community and Partnership Award, which had 11 nominees, and was selected as the Business Improvement Association’s Member of the Year.
“Sobeys regularly demonstrates its commitment to Conception Bay South through sponsorships, fundraising initiatives, and volunteering in the community,” said CBS councillor-at-large- Kirk Youden, who presented the award. “Staff members can often be seen serving breakfast to children of St. Edwards Elementary School, offering lunch to veterans on Remembrance Day, or cooking supper for guests at Ronald McDonald House. It is a strong supporter of the CBS/Paradise Food Bank, and recently teamed up with Parsons Transportation to help fill a school bus with clothes and items to donate to a community in Africa. Furthermore, they offer regular story times and cooking classes for the community.”
The award for the ‘Beautiful Business of the Year in a Multi-Tenant Building’ went to Regular Power Clarke Bennett Lawyers of Long Pond.
“Regular Power Clarke Bennett Lawyers has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years,” said CBS councillor-at-large Cheryl Davis. “What was once a coffee shop and restaurant, now offers a beautiful expanded space for a thriving law firm and a successful bank (Scotiabank, which is set to move into the building next month). The work to cultivate a sleek and modern building exterior has been matched with significant landscaping and a paved parking lot, which makes it a truly beautiful business.”
The winner of the Beautiful Business of the Year for a Single Tenant Building went to Dawe’s Plumbing and Heating, also in Long Pond.
The David Murphy Chamber Leadership Award, named in honour of the late, long serving president of the Conception Bay and Area Chamber of Commerce, went to Platinum Construction of Foxtrap. It was presented by Murphy’s wife Jennie Murphy.
“This business is an active member of the CBA Chamber of Commerce and its owners are engaged in various volunteer opportunities in the community and in their industry,” said Murphy. “In addition to creating a thriving construction business, the owners of this enterprise give back to the community in countless ways through sponsorships and volunteer hours and are looked to as community leaders.”
The G. Noseworthy Award, named for Glenda Noseworthy, the former long serving executive director of the CBA Chamber of Commerce, went to Gordon Byrde of Shawn’s Muffler and Brake Shop in Long Pond. Ellen Rose of Sobey’s was the category’s other nominee.
“This is actually our only individual award dedicated to a specific employee,” said Krista House, the Town’s economic development coordinator, who served as emcee of Friday’s event. “It celebrates an individual’s long service and devotion to their employer.”
Employers must be members of the CBA Chamber of Commerce to qualify.
“As a lead mechanic at Shawn’s Muffler and Brake Shop, the winner of this year’s award brought decades of experience to the business when it was opened by Shawn Greenslade in 2001,” said councillor Davis. “Sadly, Shawn lost a battle with cancer in June 2017, but the recipient of this year’s award has been there from the start and continues to be there today. This gentleman can always be trusted to step up and lead, which was no different when Shawn was facing illness. Often the quiet leader, Gordon has a way with people, and when you speak to him, whether you are a customer or staff, you know you have his undivided attention. He has been a longstanding and loyal employee, who has played a key role in the company’s success over the years and fosters a company culture and service standard that has consistently made customers as well as staff, feel they are amongst trusted friends. And if you wonder why I am emotional – he lives next door. It touches my heart, I know him personally and every bit of this is true.”
Invested Mama, owned and operated by Jackie McCann-Scott, won the Town’s Established Business of the Year Award.
“Invested Mama is owned and operated by a woman with a passion for financial success,” said Conception Bay South MHA Barry Petten. “This enterprise assists individuals and businesses through financial, insurance, and investment service offerings. Jackie McCann-Scott uses her platform to directly contribute to financial education in the community by performing seminars and presentations, publicizing financial advice columns, and commenting on the economy during radio programming. She is also the proud President of the provincial chapter of Advocis – the oldest and largest voluntary professional membership association of financial advisors and planners in Canada.”
In 2013, McCann-Scott decided to refocus and rebrand her business to focus primarily on female professionals, business owners, and decision-makers, Petten added.
The New Start Up of the Year Award attracted six nominations and went to The Wee Gym, operated by Bobbi-Lee Gosse.
“In the 13 months that this business has been open, it has grown to a team of 12 employees, over 200 members, and has hosted over 300 birthday parties,” said councillor Youden. “They are proud to provide a great work environment and above average pay for many youths in the province. They are also proud to offer a unique offering of programs to residents and is the first of a kind in the town. In addition to local customers, they are bringing a large number of customers from throughout metro, thus creating a spin-off for a variety of local businesses. They are proud of their community involvement and staff volunteer at local school breakfast programs and are continually seeking to be involved with local events in any way possible.”
The awards this year were sponsored by TD Canada Trust.