Some small businesses in Manatee County are receiving big recognitions.
On Thursday, the 2013 Manatee Small Business of the Year Awards Luncheon was held at the Renaissance on 9th, in Bradenton.
This is an annual event where small businesses are recognized for "quality and excellence" as exemplified by growth, productivity, customer service, job creation and overall contribution to the community.
This year, out of the 110 nominations, 27 were chosen as finalists.
Out of that group, five were selected as the top winners.
The 2013 Small Business of the Year Awards went to: Bunker Hill Vineyard & Winery, the Green Business of the Year Winner; NetWeave Social Networking, the under $500,000 Category Winner; Suncoast Business Technologies, LLC, the over $500,000 to $1 Million Category Winner; Johnson PhotoImaging,
Inc., the $1 Million to $5 Million Category Winner; and Keeton's Office & Art Supply, the over $5 Million Category Winner.
“We have a lot of businesses that work five to seven days a week,” said Neil Spirtas, V.P. of Public Policy and Small Business, for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. “They spend more time at work than they do at home. It’s just a small way for the chamber to recognize them.”
The 2013 Finalists Included:
Advanced Technology Services & Support, Jerry Solomon
Canada Med Services / Discount Prescription Services, Dulcy Kushmore
Clean As A Whistle of Manatee, LLC, Deborah Cassidy
Duncan Real Estate, Darcie Duncan
Epoch Solutions, Inc., Patti & Eric Brown
Grapevine Communications, Angela Massaro-Fain & John Fain
HHHT Auto Care, Inc., Traci Intyre
Holiday Inn Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, Mohammad Gharavi and Jiten Patel
It Works! Global, Mark Pentecost
Jose M. Goldberg, DDS, PA, Jose M. Goldberg
Key Glass, LLC, Greg, Sheril and Justin Burkhart
L.A. Events, Inc., Lisa Arrigo Hoban
LED Lighting Systems, LLC, Robert & Jane Burns
Manasota Flooring, Bob Tiffany and Chris Quattlebaum
Manatee Painting Contractors, Inc., David Dillingham, Jr. and Danny Dillingham
Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders , Trevor Gooby
Rayco Electric, Inc. Raymond Felske and Bryan Hindman
Scroggins Insurance Agency, Inc., Wayne & Sandy Scroggins
Statewide Protection Associates, LLC, Travis Savoie and Lance Biddle
Two Trails, Inc. - Green Building Consulting, Drew & Debbie Smith
University Animal Clinic, Dr. Robert Rill, Jr.
Williams Wealth Management Group, Derek R. Williams