The Small Business BC Awards (SBBC) are gearing up to celebrate its 20th anniversary as one of the largest award contents for entrepreneurs and are looking for nominations for local businesses.
Small business owners will be invited to compete for $40,000 in prize money.
“Over the past 20 years, SBBC has been honoured to shine a spotlight on BC’s entrepreneurs, celebrating those who put everything on the line to pursue their dreams,” said SBBC’s CEO, Tom Conway.
“To mark our 20th anniversary, we’re thrilled to be returning to an in-person gala where a $40,000 prize purse will be shared among four winning businesses. To help make this year the most inspirational awards ever, we’re asking the public to nominate a small business that has impacted your community.”
The Small Business BC Awards started out as a simple business planning contest has evolved to become the largest and most recognized awards program dedicated to small businesses in Western Canada.
Over 6,000 businesses, from every industry and every community in BC, have competed to be named one of the top small businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and as a former business owner myself, I’m always overjoyed to hear about their success,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development & Innovation.
“I hope British Columbians can join me in recognizing their local businesses by nominating them for the Small Business BC Awards. I look forward to celebrating the successful recipients in June.”
Past winners from Northern B.C. include Jada Creations from Terrace who won the 2021 Best Solopreneur Award and The Argosty in Prince Rupert who won the best Marketer Award in 2017.
“Being a part of the SBBC Awards has been incredible. It’s opened up a whole world of resources and support to me. I’m so grateful to be part of this small business community and thankful to have made so many friends along the way,” says Jaimie Davis, Jade Creations founder.
Each winner will be awarded with $10,000 in prize money and 1-year of free advisory support from SBBC.
The 20th Anniversary of the Small Business BC Awards features four award categories.
Businesses can enter a total of two categories – the Premier’s People’s Choice Award and one of three Business Pitch Categories (Business Impact, E-Commerce, and Youth).
The Premier’s People’s Choice Award is decided exclusively by a public vote. In the three business pitch categories, Top 5 Finalists are selected based on public vote and written responses judged by internal business experts.
Finalists then proceed to pitch their business to a panel of BC business leaders who decide the winner of each award category.
Award nominations are open from January 16 until March 10, 2023 and can be submitted at sbbc.co/nominate.
