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Kelowna  

3 among BC's best businesses

Three Okanagan businesses have been named among the top small businesses in the province.

Soil Mate and Float Space of Kelowna, and Mel's Mainstreet Pizza & Pasta of Enderby earned accolades at the 12th annual Small Business B.C. Awards, which were handed out in Vancouver Thursday night.

Soilmate links residents with local agriculture, farms, wineries and restaurants and shops that work with locally-sourced products.

Float Space offers relaxation-seekers their own private nirvana in its sensory deprivation chambers.

And Mel's, as its name implies, is a popular North Okanagan pizzeria.

This year's competition saw record-breaking participation. Winners in 10 categories proved their excellence by competing against more than 460 nominees from 70 communities across the province during the five-month process.

"We are extremely proud to help showcase the diverse talent and tremendous determination that exists amongst B.C.'s entrepreneurs," said George Hunter, CEO of Small Business B.C. We congratulate the winners ... and hope to see even more businesses recognized for their success next year."

To claim the title of best in B.C., businesses had to gain votes from the public to be shortlisted to the top 10, then submit an extended application detailing why they deserved to be named one of B.C.'s best businesses. Once selected as a top 5 finalist, they went on to face a Dragons' Den-style panel of judges, pitching why they should win.

The award winners are:

  • Premier's People's Choice – Julie's Edible Bouquets, Quesnel
  • Best Community Impact – Mealshare, Vancouver
  • Best Company – Nonna Pia's Gourmet Sauces, Whistler
  • Best Concept – Soil Mate, Kelowna
  • Best Emerging Entrepreneur Float Space - Kelowna
  • Best Employer – Origin Gluten-Free Bakery, Victoria
  • Best Immigrant Entrepreneur – Infinity Enterprises Group, Whistler
  • Best International Trade – Target Marine Hatcheries, Sechelt
  • Best Online Marketer – Vonbon Children's Apparel, Vancouver
  • Best Workplace – Mel's Mainstreet Pizza & Pasta, Enderby

The emerging entrepreneur immigrant entrepreneur awards are new this year and were handed out to recognize a young individual who contributes to the social, cultural and economic well-being of their community, as well as an outstanding new Canadian who has started a successful business.

"The Small Business B.C. Awards are all about celebrating hardworking entrepreneurs, the people who make small towns and big cities thrive," said Premier Christy Clark, who gave each of the winners $1,500 prize money.



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