Starting with more than 200 nominations, the field of 25 semi-finalists for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 30th Anniversary of Small Business Awards has been narrowed to 15 finalists and winners will be announced at a gala on Thursday, October 20. Fifteen area businesses, representing five business categories, will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual event.
This year’s finalists include:
Home-Based
B&W PC Consultants Bill Thomas
Immaculate Janitorial Service, LLC LaShunda & Jerald Mangum
Yard Guards on Doody, LLC Cheresee Rehart
Minority & Women Owned
Campbells Dairyland, Inc.
Jill & Jay Paules/James & Leesa Lee
Leonard’s Academy of Dance Leonard Mardis
Tutoring Club of Valrico Susan Prestridge
1-5 Employees
Community Insurance Group Bill Puckett
Green Lizard Lawn Care, LLC
Thaddeus & Nicole Davis
Hi Tech Automotive Joe and Melissa Canfield
6-15 Employees
Busciglio Orthodontics Dr. Derek Busciglio
Park Square Cellar
Shawn & Mary Sarkisian & Kevin Fulcher
Valrico Animal Clinic Dr. David Thomassy
16+ Employees
Hess Orthodontics
Dr. Michael A. Hess, DMD, MS
KnowledgePoints Rod Burkhardt
Superior Residences of Brandon Memory Care Jill Andrew
One winner from the finalists in each of the five categories will be recognized at the gala. The Osprey Observer will put out a special edition in October with business profiles on each of the finalists.
The Brandon Chamber’s tradition of the Small Business of the Year Awards continues to honor small business owners and the entrepreneurial spirit that enriches the economy of our local community and the nation. Nominees have been recognized by someone in the Greater Brandon community for their excellence in business. Criteria and eligibility for the awards include business status, how long business has been in operation, time restriction if previous winner of the award and member in good standing of the Brandon Chamber.
Mary Owens, who co-owns Black Diamond Associates, LLC, with Lisa Huetteman, received the Brandon Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award for home-based business in 2008.
“Winning the award added a level of credibility to my business that allowed me to position our firm as a valued partner to business of all sizes,” she commented. “It is a true honor just to be nominated.”
The 2011 event is sponsored by Bank of Tampa – Brandon Division. Supporting sponsors include Bright House Networks – Business Solutions, Crowne Plaza, Hanna, Lemar & Morris, C.P.A., and Tampa Digital, Inc. The Osprey Observer is the official media sponsor for the event.
The 30th Anniversary of Small Business Awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East, located at 10221 Princess Palm Ave. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for the banquet for $35 per person. Corporate tables of eight are available for $350. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To register, visit brandonchamber.com or call Jamie Reid at 689-1221, ext. 8843.
