May 13, 2010: Meet B.C’s Most Outstanding Up & Coming Entrepreneurs - Successful You Business Awards Ceremony

Vancouver – Small Business BC (SBBC), in association with title sponsor, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), are pleased to present the Successful You Awards Ceremony & Networking Event on Thursday, June 10, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Birks’ Flagship Store, 698 Hastings Street, Vancouver.

The eventwill announce the winners of the Successful You Awards and provide a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and the media to network with over 350 local business professionals and successful small businesses.  Keynote speakers, Chris Emery and Larry Finnson, founders of Clodhoppers Candy, will share their success story of making Grandma’s candy recipe into a recognizable worldwide brand.

SBBC’s Consulting CEO, George Hunter, says, “SBBC’s Successful You Awards Ceremony is quickly becoming one of the most important events in the small business year.  It provides a unique opportunity for the small business community to celebrate entrepreneurial excellence while networking, promoting their businesses and taking that next step towards making their business dreams become a reality. This year promises to be another stellar event!”

“B.C.’s entrepreneurs help drive our economy in a major way, with small business making up 98 per cent of all business in the province,” said Iain Black, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development. “This awards ceremony is a great way to bring together new and successful entrepreneurs, to recognize and share their stories, and help strengthen B.C.’s small business network.”

What are  the Successful You Business Awards?

The Successful You Business Awards recognize and celebrate the important contributions B.C.’s entrepreneurs make to their local communities and global economy.  This year more than 200 entrepreneurs submitted applications in areas as diverse as retail trade, non-profit, manufacturing, technology services, arts, entertainment and recreation.

Small Business BC believes a strong small business sector supports vital economic and social growth, with tangible benefits to all members of a community. Founded in 2003, the Successful You Business Awards is free and open to all new and existing small businesses.

Award Categories

Four awards will be handed out in the following categories: the CGA of BC Business Concept Award, the Telus Business Growth Award, TD Canada Trust Small Business Champion Award, and the WorkSafeBC Company of the Year Award.

The finalists for the Business Concept Award are:

RHo Solutions, Victoria; Tod Mountain Ranch, Heffley Creek; and Growing City, Vancouver.

The finalists for the Business Growth Award are:

Mozart School of Music, Vancouver; My Tech Guys Sales and Service Inc., Comox; and Snugabell Mom & Baby Gear, Coquitlam.

The Small Business Champion Award finalists are:

Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Vancouver; and SEEDS Business Development Centre, Surrey.

The Company of the Year Award finalists are:

The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer Ltd., Victoria; and City-Max.com,Vancouver.

If you are a business owner, or are contemplating starting your own business, don’t miss the chance to meet entrepreneurs from a wide range of business sectors including retail, transportation, wholesale and service.  Attendees will enjoy refreshments, hors d'œuvres and door prizes. While quantities last, attendees also receive a free one-year ZipCar Business Membership (valued at $75) with each ticket purchased online.

Early-bird online tickets are available for as low as $36 each for a limited time only.  Regular tickets valued at $60 online or $70 cash at the door. Register today! Go to www.successfulyou.ca for more information.

Media Inquiries: Candice Macalino, Small Business BC, 604-775-6255 or macalino.candice@smallbusinessbc.ca    

About Small Business BC: Small Business BC provides advisory services, education and community to help entrepreneurs succeed in all stages of business. Small Business BC is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Ministry of Finance. For more information, visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada: Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $39 billion. For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.