Euphoria Smoothies named Small Business of the Year

Small Business of the Year: Barbara Taylor, Canadore College and Dennis Mock, Nipissing University presented the Nipissing University-Canadore College Small Business of the Year Award (businesses 0 to 15 employees) to Sam and Bisma Haider of Euphoria Smoothies. Photos supplied.

North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce
Annual General Meeting & Gala News Release

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Following the by-law procedure this year’s Chamber election results for the Board of Directors of the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce are as follows:

2008 Board of Directors:

Tracy Balen
Barry Bousfield
Susan Caliciuri
Ralph Celentano
John Crescenzi
Glenn Cundari
Claude Daigle
Charles Elliott
Rick Evans
John Gallagher
Heather Gray
Nick Green
Mark King
Sean Lawlor
Tricia Marshall
Nicole Neff
Bernard Penney
Erin Richmond
Peter Rooney
Derek Shogren
Irene Smit
John Strang
Jessica Thomason
Laurie Ypya

Note: Executive Committee members (President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer) will be elected by the 2008 Board of Directors at a Special meeting on Thursday, December 13, 2007.

Nugget Business of the Year – Canadian Tire
Category (16+ employees)

Brief profile:
With another record breaking year in construction in our area, this company was a large part of that with a 30,000 square foot expansion, valued at over $3 million, this now makes this one of the largest Canadian Tire stores in Canada.

The store set a new four-day record for any grand opening of any Canadian Tire store in Canada for the last two years and was recently recognized as their top expansion store in Canada for 2007.

Beyond their commercial success, the company is very active in community development initiatives, sponsoring groups such as the Food Bank, the Skyhawks, the Capitol Centre, Gateway Theatre Guild, local children’s sports teams, as well as the support of projects in schools. Large projects have included $250,000 to the new Regional Hospital and they have committed recently to the Learning Library project.

Over and above these success, the owner Paul Lamont and general manager Derek Shogren sit on several volunteer boards in the community.

Congratulations Paul and Chris Lamont and their employees on winning this award.

Nipissing University/Canadore College Small Business of the Year – Euphoria Smoothies
Category (1-15 employees)

Brief Profile:

Sam & Bisma Haider started their new business here in North Bay, 3 years ago.

They describe their business of freshly blended cool, thick, and creamy smoothies - a great way to start, finish – and break the day. At Euphoria the very cool, creamy, fruit-packed smoothies keep their customers coming back for more. But there's more to a visit to Euphoria than the cold zing of a freshly made smoothie on your tongue, it also treats your body to a burst of life-giving nutrients. Delicious AND Nutritious, Taste The Freshness of Euphoria!

Having three locations locally and now with over 40 independently owned and operated franchises around the world, they have certainly met their market.

A few other messages they believe in are, “there are no speed limits on the road to excellence. Their mission is to provide the very best products and always search for ways to delight, surprise, and be admired by their customers. Their commitment is simple: Always provide customers with an enjoyable experience; greet and be available to every customer, smile and be friendly; and always let the customers know they are glad to serve them.

They are pleased to state that North Bay, Ontario is the “Smoothie Capital”. They truly believe “You have one life….live Euphoric!”

** For the two Chamber “ business of the year” categories above, nominees are judged on the following criteria: Financial Performance, Demonstrated Innovation, Employment Growth, Market Development and Community Enhancement.

Betty Alcorn Memorial Award – presented to the winner this year, Director Sean Lawlor – director of the year

Sean Lawlor is a partner in Lawlor & Associates/LAC Media. Sean has been very involved as a director of the Chamber and more specifically on two of our committees, Public Affairs (Government Affairs & Tourism) and Economic Development. Sean has been also very instrumental in our Strategic Planning Committee, important for the direction of the Chamber in the future and future needs of the business community.

Mary Ellen Horner Memorial Award – presented by last year’s winner Michelle Walker and Bernie Horner (father of Mary Ellen) to this year’s winner Tricia Marshall of ONTC -volunteer of the year

Tricia Marshall has been instrumental as chair of the Government Affairs committee this year, with items such as the Accessibility Act for businesses, Meet the Candidates Night in the Provinical Election and the federal partnership for the new regulations with Passports.

*** For the memorial awards listed above, the recipients have been deemed “as having best exemplified dedication and diligence during the current year and laboured untiringly for the good and welfare of the Chamber and community".

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