Small Business BC opens provincial award nominations for impactful local businesses

British Columbia - To honour the many entrepreneurs making a difference in their communities, Small Business BC (SBBC) invites nominations for the annual Small Business BC Awards, presenting top business titles and $15,000 in prize money.

The Small Business BC Awards are held annually as an opportunity to bring attention to the many small businesses making a big difference in our province. As a show of support, British Columbians are encouraged to put forward local businesses that have not only embraced the challenge of entrepreneurship, but have also gone above and beyond to invest in their communities.

“Business owners have handled the incredible challenges of the last two years with determination, resiliency and kindness,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “The Small Business BC Awards are one way we can come together to show our local entrepreneurs how much we appreciate everything they are doing to keep people safe and healthy, while continuing to serve our communities. I encourage everyone to show some love and appreciation for their favourite local businesses by nominating them for a Small Business BC Award, and to continue supporting local in their communities.” 

The Small Business BC Awards, sponsored by Kwantlen Polytechnic University, have been adjusted this year to feature two award categories, focusing on honouring truly impactful businesses and allowing winners to receive larger cash prizes and more business support. 

“At the heart of every small business is an entrepreneur whose drive and determination pushes them, even as they face challenges and hurdles in their path,” says Small Business BC CEO, Tom Conway. “The SBBC Awards is about celebrating that entrepreneurial spirit and supporting small businesses that inspire us all. I encourage all BC residents to nominate a business that has helped strengthen your community.” 

Award nominations are open from January 20 to February 28, 2022 and can be submitted at sbbc.co/nominate. Businesses can be nominated by both members of the public and by the business owners themselves, showcasing their hard work and dedication through this competition. 

“The Awards have changed my life. We have clients come in now who found out about the business from all the coverage we received – and that all comes back to Small Business BC and the awards,” says Sadaf Rahimi, owner of Charcuterie Vancouver and winner of the SBBC Awards. “If you want more sales, and more brand awareness for your business, taking part in the SBBC Awards is the way to get it. It’s been life changing for sure.”

Charcuterie Vancouver brings people together by elevating special events and occasions with the most unique custom-made charcuterie boards, tables and boxes. Winner of the Best Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, Rahimi is recognized as an outstanding new Canadian who overcame adversity, and exhibits leadership both in her community and within her business.

SBBC Business Impact Award

This SBBC Business Impact Award, sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, goes to business owner(s) who are truly making a difference. These hard-working individuals embrace the challenge of entrepreneurship, display their business savvy, and take positive action to invest in their community. They are navigating the rapidly changing business landscape, especially throughout the pandemic, and leveraging the challenge to improve their business while also finding new ways to serve their community.

Premier’s People’s Choice Award

It takes a community to grow a small business. It also takes a community to win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award. This unique award category, sponsored by the Province of British Columbia, is presented to a BC-based small business that can demonstrate the unwavering and loyal support of their community by gaining the most online votes.

The Awards Process

Nominations

Award nominations are open from January 20, 2022 to February 28, 2022. Nominations can be submitted at sbbc.co/nominate. Once a small business is nominated, they must gain as many public votes as possible for their business, leveraging all creative channels. Voting is collected on the SBBC website until February 28, 2022.

Top Five

The businesses with the most votes in the SBBC Business Impact Award category (after a normalization process to allow for regional populations) will be narrowed down to the top twenty, then judged by an internal panel of business experts to select the Top Five finalists. 

Winners

The Top Five businesses for the SBBC Business Impact Award will be invited to present to a panel of judges, pitching why their business should win the award. The panel of past SBBC Award winners, business professionals and advisors will then select the winner, and the first and second place runners up. The winner of the Premier’s People’s Choice award will be selected based on the most votes, after a normalization process to allow for regional populations.

Virtual Awards Gala

On April 28, 2022, a virtual gala will be hosted by Small Business BC to announce and honour the winners of the 19th Annual Small Business BC Awards. 

Prizes

The SBBC Business Impact Award category prizes include:

All winners and top five finalists will receive an extended business education and advisory package from Small Business BC to support their continued business growth. 

As the leading entrepreneurial awards competition in British Columbia, the Small Business BC Awards not only recognize the outstanding achievements of local entrepreneurs, they also provide a powerful platform for future success. 

For more information about the Small Business BC awards and to nominate a small business in your community, visit smallbusinessbc.ca/awards.

Access our SBBC Awards community kit with digital assets for web and social at smallbusinessbc.ca/awards/get-involved/.

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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.