Nicole Neff and partner Brent Rowley of Bay Builders, were named New Business of the Year.
Members of the North Bay and Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the achievements and milestones that local small businesses have reached over the past year Tuesday night during the Evening of Excellence at the Best Western.
Each year during Small Business Week in October the Chamber provides seminars, networking events and information to businesses on issues that impact them and their businesses, and they also take the opportunity to cap off the week by celebrating Success Stories.
This year was no exception, however, the committee, spearheaded by Chamber director, Jessica Thomason, changed the awards event from a luncheon to a dinner gala and expanded the awards ceremony by adding a few new categories that includes Not-for-Profit of the Year and Youth of the Year.
Bay Builders was named the New Business of the Year, Odyssee's Jacynth Lauzon was named Youth of the Year, while Employee of the year award went to Rogers Radio Promotions Director Kevin Oschefski. The not-for-profit award goes to The Blue Sky Sailing Club and Benjamin James along with True Steel Security/Northern Communications was honoured as true Success Stories in small business.
Keynote speaker Barry Spilchuk, author of A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul, shared stories of his successes and failures in the world of business telling the local business community that when it comes to business that when using the five letter word FAITH as the tool everyone can have excellence in business.
He said each letter represents a word that is instrumental when reaching for excellence;
F – Forgive A – Accountability I – Integrity T – Tell the truth H – Honour excellence in others
“I hear a lot of people say it is hard to start a business in North Bay …Bologna! It’s hard to start a business anywhere,” he states.
“North Bay is a great place to start a business because you have this room full of people who say what do you need.”
He also emphasised that people need to focus on what they are good at in business and seek help from other businesses that are good in their areas.
“Repeat after me,” he tells the 160 attendees.
“If it’s not my genius, it’s not my job.”
Spilchuk’s new book ‘You’re My Hero-North Bay’ will close off submissions Friday then goes to press Monday and will be ready for sale later this fall. Spilchuk also confirmed that each $20 sale of the book $10 will be donated to charity. The list of this year’s Small Business Success Story award winners is below.
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New Business of the Year went to Nicole Neff, Bay Builders. Bay Builders began in June 2006 and within just one year, employs 8 people and has contributed more than $2 million in local sales in such a short period of time. Bay Builders is an authorized builder for Guildcrest Modular Homes. Their model home and office is located at the Hwy 11/17 corridor. Modular home building, is redefining the way we build today. From concept to delivery in 8 – 12 weeks, and on-site home completion in just 3 – 5 weeks, modular building is fast and efficient without the worry of cost overruns. Eco-conscious building practices have become a part of Bay Builder’s philosophy, as they pride themselves in setting high standards in building quality and energy efficient homes.
Youth of the Year went to an exceptional young lady, Jacinthe Lauzon of école publique L’Odyssée. It is important to recognize the involvement and commitment of our youth today; our youth are the business leaders of tomorrow. Jules-Pierre Fournier, Cultural Coordinator, L’Odyssée stated that Jacinthe has shown “great leadership and involvement within her school. Since her first day in grade 9, she has always been at the head of her class, maintaining an A average in every subject. She leads the school in volunteer time with over 100 hours accumulated. Extra-curricular activities include the volleyball team, badminton team as well as a singer in the school band.” Ms. Lauzon has also been a member of the student government since ninth grade.
The Not-For Profit award went to Blue Sky Sailing Club. Incorporated in May of 2007, this group provides instruction, competition and recreation to many different age groups in our region. What a great way to enjoy the summer months. Their goal is to grow the sport of sailing. As with all not-for-profit groups, the key to success are with the volunteers.
Employee of the Year was a difficult one to choose. Employers don’t often enough commend their staff on a job well done. This new award will now recognize the strengths of the employees in our region and honour them with nominations. This year Kevin Oschefski of Rogers Radio was presented with the Employee of the Year award. His nominators stated that “Kevin excels at everything he does not only at work but also within the community”. Kevin does his day job very well and has been a proven asset at Rogers. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Capitol Centre and he assists in many other fundraising events throughout the year. Peter McKeown noted that “Kevin is a model example of the spirit of this award.”
And last but certainly not least, the Success Story awards were the finale of the evening. Two awards were given out in the Success Stories category.
Benjamin James Marketing & Advertising for their pro-active approach in assisting clients in the developing complete marketing plans to integrated advertising, covering all media creative, planning, buying and production. Partner Scott Clark and his team, a true Northern agency, state that “long-term partnerships with their clients is their solid foundation in our community.”
Northern Communications and True Steel Security, another of the Success Stories, are companies that are inter-connected with hands-on Managers, excellent training, support and a motivated front line staff. With 50 and 30 years respectively in business, the group employs over 100 staff in Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie. Another truly Northern Ontario Success Story. The alarm system sales, services and monitoring, as well as a new Care Link Personal Emergency Response System through True Steel Security is aptly partnered with Northern Communications.
