Small Business BC Awards Nominations Now Open

Small business owners across British Columbia are being invited to compete for $40,000 in prize money from Small Business BC.

It’s celebrating its 20th anniversary of the province’s largest award contest for entrepreneurs.

SBBC says what 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.

CEO Tom Conway says the $40-thousand prize purse will be shared among four winning businesses, to be announced at a gala in Vancouver in June.

The public is being asked to nominate a small business that has impacted their community.

Past Winners from Vancouver Island include Nature Bee, winner of the 2021 Business Impact Award, sprouted from a  final university project of founder Katie Gamble, and transformed into a  thriving business that produces reusable products made from beeswax that are placed with 360 retail partners across North America.

Another past award winner - Bigfoot Donuts in Courtenay.

The awards are handed out every year as an opportunity to bring attention to the small businesses having positive impacts.

Each winner will be awarded $10,000 in prize money, a top business title, and 1-year of free advisory support from SBBC.

Award nominations are open until March 10th, 2023 and can be submitted at Small Business BC.