Two Abbotsford companies were chosen as Top 10 semi-finalists in the 13th annual Small Business BC Awards.
Fire and Ice Hair Company, on Whatcom Road, made the list for Best Apprentice Training, and The Sparkle Project BC, an organization aiming to help girls gain self-confidence, is a semi-finalist for Best Community Impact.
The Top 10 lists were chosen by community votes out of 535 nominated small businesses from 71 communities across the province.
A panel of judges will now narrow down the competition to the top five finalists in each category, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Feb. 25 at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel. Winners will receive the Premier’s Prize, $1,500 in cash, as well as a one-year all-access membership to use Small Business BC’s educational resources, expert network, and mentorship opportunities.
“This year we saw a tremendous amount of participation in the Small Business BC Awards through a high number of nominees coming in from across the province,” said George Hunter, the CEO of Small Business BC.
“It’s fantastic to see so many small businesses being recognized, not only for their success, but also for the positive impact they’re having on their local communities and the contributions they’re making to the economy.”
The awards’ overall sponsor is the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The Best Apprentice Training award is presented by ITA and BCIT, and the Best Community Impact award is presented by Vancity.
Eligible small businesses were those with fewer than 50 employees. For more information, visit smallbusinessbc.ca.