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Nominations for the Business Excellence Awards are now CLOSED.
Thank you for all of your nominations!
To see category information and nominations rules, please see below.
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The next Business Excellence Awards will be held in Spring 2023, with information on the date and venue to be announced in the New Year!
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Category Information & Nomination Rules
For category information, click here.
For nomination rules & info about the judging process, click here.
Previous Winners
The Chamber recognizes all the finalists and winners in our community and aims to continue highlighting and honouring these wonderful businesses.
Previous Award Winners:
Small Business of the Year (1-10 employees)
2021: Hillcrest Bakery & Deli
2020: Tap Restaurant
2019: Dream Orthodontics (tie)
2019: Grey Haven Hobbies & Games (tie)
2018: White Rock Beach Beer Co.
2017: Drive 365 Fitness & Health
Medium Business of the Year (11-25 employees)
2021: Cosmos Greek Restaurant
2020: FlinnWest Solutions Inc.
2019: Southridge Dental
2018: Ocean Park Pizza & Village Pub
2017: Honeylush Hair Studio
Large Business of the Year (25+ employees)
2021: Hardbite Chips - Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd.
2020: Amica White Rock
2019: Starline Windows Ltd.
2018: Joseph Richard Group
2017: Comfort Keepers
New Business of the Year
2021: Ricardo's Kandy Korner
2020: Mainland Whisky
2019: Zapoteca Mexican Grill & Seafood
2018: Looby Doo
2017: Seriously Good Catering
Supporter of the Arts Business of the Year (category introduced in 2018)
2021: Blue Frog Studios
2020: XBa School of Dance
2019: Addictive Comedy - now known as Hilarapy
2018: The Drama Class
Community Builder Business of the Year (category introduced in 2018)
2021: Innovative Fitness
2020: Everbean Cafe & Community
2019: Save-On-Foods
2018: Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club
Non-Profit Organization of the Year
2021: UNITI - Semiahmoo House Society
2020: Peace Arch Hospital Foundation
2019: Rotary Club of Semiahmoo (White Rock)
2018: Peace Arch Hospice Society
2017: Peninsula Productions
Business Leader of the Year – Corporate
2021: Tony Baena, President & CEO, PARC Retirement Living
2020: Sandra Christian, Founder, President & Owner, Creative Kids Learning Centers
2019: Greg Timm, President & COO, Pacific Customs Brokers
2018: Ryan Moreno, CEO & Founder, Joseph Richard Group
2017: Darrell Jones, President, Save-on-Foods
Business Leader of the Year – Self Owned
2021: Janine Maclean, Owner & Head Chef, Seriously Good Catering Inc.
2020: Faith Gibson, Owner, Mink Chocolates & LotusPedal yoga + spin
2019: Stewart Peddemors, Personal Real Estate Corporation, RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty
2018: Mostafa Sabeti, Golden Glory Martial Arts & Fitness Academy
2017: Jan Wait, Jan's on the Beach
Business Leader of the Year – U40 (category introduced in 2019)
2021: Sean O'Leary, Owner, Live Yoga
2020: Ramandeep Dhaliwal, President, WR Mattress Gallery
2019: Piya Sandhu, Owner & Chief Curator, The Handpicked Home
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2021 Celebration of Resilience Winners
Award Sponsored by: Cleveland Doan LLP
Hillcrest Bakery & Deli is a “from scratch” bakery and deli that will be celebrating their 50th anniversary! Since 1972 they have been serving White Rock & South Surrey fresh-baked bread, deli products, custom cakes & more! Hillcrest has always taken great pride in serving high quality products at a great value, sourcing locally whenever possible and never adding preservatives. In order to continue serving their customers the products they love, Hillcrest created a new website and adopted e-commerce and delivery options.
All finalists for Business of the Year – Small:
Amplifon Hearing Clinic South Surrey - Peninsula Village, Easy Therapy, John Sadler Plumbing & Heating
Award Sponsored by: Starline Windows Ltd.
Cosmos Greek Restaurant is a landmark Greek restaurant serving the community for over 45 Years on Marine Drive. Their family recipes and traditions from the old country have made many new and loyal customers over the years. Their mission is to bring authentic Greek cuisine to customers, taking them on a tasty journey into the Mediterranean. Since their restaurant is deeply ingrained in the community, Cosmos likes to give back to many causes and see it flourish. Their advice? Have your customers as the heart of the business. Also, persistence is key. There are so many obstacles — some unforeseen — that will get in the way, but hard work and dedication can go a long way.
All finalists for Business of the Year – Medium:
Evergreen Child Care Centre, Hilltop Plumbing & Heating Ltd.
Award Sponsored by: Peace Arch News
Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd. is a high growth snack food company focused on developing products that appeal to consumers’ growing preference for Better-For-You snacks. Their anchor brand, Hardbite, is a rapidly growing kettle fried chip brand. Through simple, major allergen-free and non-GMO ingredients, Hardbite embodies their mission to deliver transparent, clean label food products to consumers. They are proud to distribute to a broad range of customers throughout North America and Asia Pacific. The company supports the food bank and local charities. They chose South Surrey as a place to do business because it is a vibrant, and diverse community that is uniquely positioned close to key commercial distribution hubs.
All finalists for Business of the Year – Large:
Surrey Eagles Hockey Club, The Tennis Centre - Surrey
Award Sponsored by: Canadian Tire
Ricardo’s Kandy Korner offers the best Candy Selection in the Lower Mainland! They specialize in imported candies, snacks, and drinks from around the world. A store to make the community a better place, brining joy to the children of South Surrey & White Rock! They pride themselves in getting to know their regulars and listening to the community about what products they would like to see at the store and have improved the store to their needs. We chose this area to expand business and make the beach a better place.
All finalists for New Business of the Year:
Delight Indian Bistro, Resilient Wellness Clinical Counselling, The Gatsby Studio
Award Sponsored by: Parc Retirement Living
Blue Frog Studio was established in 2006, is now one of the largest commercial recording and video production studios in Western Canada. In 2010, they began hosting a series of intimate concerts for live studio audiences, which has now grown to over 160 performances per year. In 2014 they debuted live streaming for International Earth Day. They have continued to perfect their webcasting to this day. In 2019 Blue Frog TV was introduced Video On Demand and subscriptions to share music. They are involved in many local community events.
All finalists for Business of the Year – Supporter of the Arts:
Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Ignite Dance Centre, White Rock Players Club
Award Sponsored by: Semiahmoo Rotary Club
Innovative Fitness offers one-on-one, premium personal training and nutrition coaching in a private studio environment. Their Registered Kinesiologists, and the entire IF Team, take great pride in keeping their clients healthy. They hold them accountable to their wellness goals, achieving more together and having a lot of fun at the same time both in-studio and through travel experiences and community fundraisers. They empower clients to live their best life. One of Innovative Fitness’s Core Values is to BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES. Their Coaches actively support and promote their client’s causes, and champion causes within the local community. For their 2021 Train the Trainer fundraiser, they chose to support the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, raising $1000s of dollars. Innovative Fitness chose South Surrey/White Rock as a place to do business given the close ties of the President, Curtis Christopherson, has to this flourishing community.
All finalists for Business of the Year – Community Builder:
Joseph Richard Group, The Funke Groupe - Scotia Wealth Management, Wave Dentistry
Award Sponsored by: Janzen Insurance
UNITI is the partnership of three affiliated societies that have provided important community services for decades. Semiahmoo House Society provides quality services and supports to people with disabilities and their families in Surrey and White Rock. Peninsula Estates Housing Society provides affordable and inclusive housing that reflects the diversity of our community. The Semiahmoo Foundation ensures that UNITI has the recognition, relationships and resources to support an inclusive community. UNITI’s Person-Centred Practices, ensures people are listened to and are included in all decision making, including how services are developed, facilitated, and maintained. They support and create projects led by persons with disabilities, including delivering food to care homes, educational presentations at elementary schools.
All finalists for Non-Profit Organization of the Year:
Rotary Club of White Rock, Soroptimist International of White Rock
Award Sponsored by: Alamfoods
Tony Baena is the President and CEO of PARC Retirement Living. Oceana PARC is the local residence under the PARC umbrella which builds and operates inspired spaces where seniors can live with vibrancy and vitality. Their residences are premium communities in central locations, encouraging seniors to stay active and engage with vibrant like-minded individuals. Tony has led the charge of the Oceana PARC team contributing significantly to local causes through funds and other unique ventures, including offering their beautiful space for the Chamber’s fundraising extravaganza, Chefs for the Pier before the building was officially opened to its own residents. They are active supporters of the many organizations and events, including the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation, local arts community, Concerts for the Pier and much more. Tony’s advice for a newcomer in their journey: “always stay curious and grab every opportunity to learn something new”
All finalists for Business Leader of the Year – Corporate:
Cathy Wiebe – Fraser Health
Lila Zais – Nature's Fare Markets
Blaine Neufeld – Surrey Eagles Hockey Club
Award Sponsored by: ChambersPlan
Janine Maclean is the Owner and Head Chef at Seriously Good Catering Inc. where she and her team offers full-scale catering services from upwards of 300 diners to small intimate dinner parties. The COVID-19 pandemic proved difficulties, however, they were able to innovate and offer Frozen Meal Delivery service and create friendship and community through Seriously Good food. Janine is passionate about food and the community, so much so that she has offered free hot lunches through various programs with White Rock Rotary, Uptown Church, Peace Portal Alliance Church, and more. When asked to offer a piece of advice, Janine says to follow your passion and live with purpose.
All finalists for Business Leader of the Year – Self-Owned:
Sara Forte – Forte Workplace Law
Dr. Ed Edwards – Mobile Denture Clinic
Janine Maclean – Seriously Good Catering Inc.
Award Sponsored by: WR Mattress Gallery
Sean O’Leary, Owner of Live Yoga, is proud to offer a welcoming, encouraging, healing, and inclusive community that makes Yoga and Pilates truly accessible for all. For over 15 years, Live Yoga has been offering group classes, effectively establishing themselves as White Rock’s premier Yoga and Pilates studio. The studio supports local charities, events, and fundraising, especially through their participation in wellness initiatives at both Peace Arch Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital and campaigns with the White Rock BIA and The Chamber. When asked if there was a piece of advice to give to someone starting out on a similar journey, Sean says, “to overcome adversities, it’s important to remember your passion, drive, and joy that comes from doing the work you love”.
All finalists for Business Leader of the Year – Under 40:
Ivneet Bains – Math4Me Learning Inc.
Jessica Honeywell – The Shop Next Door
Josiah Tam – Allora Pasta + Wine
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