Meet the Finalists
Back in January, we called on our community to nominate and vote for their favourite small businesses in our 20th Annual Small Business BC Awards. We were blown away by the response. We received 613 nominations, representing 84 communities across British Columbia. The moment has finally arrived to unveil our finalists.
We hope you’ll join us at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Friday, June 2nd for our first in-person Awards Gala in three years. In a night of celebration and networking, we’ll announce the winners of our Awards, who will each take home a prize of $10,000. Tickets are on sale now, don’t miss out.
Here are your Top 5 Finalists for the 20th Annual Small Business BC Awards.
Business Impact Award Top 5
Our Business Impact Award goes to the business owner(s) making a difference in their community. Alongside an aptitude in areas like sales, marketing, logistics, finances and operations, their business has taken positive action to invest in the community and views social responsibility as an integral part of their success.
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
Campbell River
Campbell RiverHomalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours is an award-winning Indigenous tour company on Vancouver Island. They deliver immersive experiences focused on the stunning natural beauty of the region along with the cultural history of the Homalco First Nation and its neighbours.
Learn More
49Below
Oak Bay
Oak BaySince 2015, 49 Below has been dedicated to crafting high-quality ice cream using fresh, simple, and locally-sourced ingredients. They are committed to sustainability and philanthropy, as demonstrated by the many initiatives they support.
Learn More
The Speckled Sow Butchery & Market
Vanderhoof
VanderhoofThe Speckled Sow is a butcher shop/market located in Vanderhoof that provides a much needed cut & wrap service to the North Coast & Nechako region for domestic and wild game.
Learn More
Wall to Wall Renovate, Recycle, Restore
Prince George
Prince GeorgeWall to Wall is a valuable community resource in Prince George. It's a second-hand hardware store where you can renovate, recycle or restore on a budget. They accept reusable construction materials from contractors, homeowners, and renovaters, saving them money while keeping materials out of local landfills.
Learn More
The Crow's Nest Artist Collective
Campbell River
Campbell RiverLocated in Campbell River, The Crow's Nest Artist Collective offers an invaluable space that facilitates and encourages the local community to incorporate art into their lives.
Learn MorePremier's People's Choice Top 5
It takes a community to grow a small business. It also takes a community to win our Premier’s People’s Choice Award. This unique award category is presented to a BC-based small business that can demonstrate the unwavering and loyal support of their community. The criteria for winning is simple: Get more votes than any other nominee.
Discovery Fabrics
Campbell River
Campbell RiverDiscovery Fabrics makes high performance fabrics, usually only available to top active and outwear brands, available to home sewists and makers. Alongside this, they educate customers on technologies that can enhance their garments.
Learn More
Skwalwen Botanicals
Squamish
SquamishSḵwálwen Botanicals is an Indigenous skincare brand that honours cultural knowledge, Indigenous plant science and self care. Founded by ethnobotanist Leigh Joseph of Squamish First Nation, Sḵwálwen (skwall - win) provides gentle and effective skincare products that draw from the ceremonial aspects of plants.
Learn More
Timber + Gray
Nanaimo
NanaimoTimber + Gray is an online Canadian boutique, owned and operated by a Mama. Inspired by her struggles with infertility, the company is committed to paying it forward, with each purchase helping to support local charities like Mamas for Mamas and Crossroads Pregnancy Center.
Learn More
Truly Lifestyle Brand
Surrey
SurreyTruly Lifestyle Brand is redefining natural skincare, and creating a conscious beauty space all at once. Made locally in British Columbia, Truly features an inclusive line of luxury skincare and haircare products at an affordable price.
Learn More
West Coast Karma
Courtenay
CourtenayWest Coast Karma strives to create unique, comfortable clothing and accessories decorated with hand drawn, nature inspired designs. They source local and ethically made clothing as much as possible, with a focus on building their local economy and bringing community together in a supportive and inclusive way.
Learn MoreBest Youth Entrepreneur Top 5
Across British Columbia, young entrepreneurs are creating new jobs and shaping our provincial economy with their energy and ingenuity. Our Best Youth Entrepreneur Award exists to reward this entrepreneurial spirit, saluting a business leader aged 35 and under who has demonstrated a track record of success, with a business that’s been in operation for at least 12 months.
Afrofusion
Kamloops
KamloopsAfrofusion was created to bring community together using food as a medium. They believe home-style tasty meals everyone can enjoy are a necessity in the community. They are driven by a passion to serve the people of Kamloops and beyond.
Learn More
Friendly Composting
Kamloops
KamloopsFriendly Composting provides weekly compost pick up and local product delivery in beautiful, Kamloops BC. Founders Katie Forsyth and Claire McLoughlin are on a mission to make it simple for you to make an impact and choose LOCAL!
Learn More
Nature Bee
Saanichton
SaanichtonNature Bee Wraps is on a mission to create a better beeswax wrap that is better for you, your family, your food, and most importantly the planet. They strive to make sustainability more attainable and achievable, through fun and colourful single use plastic alternatives.
Learn More
Ovry
Revelstoke
RevelstokeOvry exists to offer a better alternative to store-bought pregnancy and ovulation tests, which are wasteful, inconvenient, overpriced and can often feel awkward or intimidating to buy. Compared to traditional tests, Ovry strip tests are tiny, discreet, just as accurate as any leading brand, much more affordable and each test uses 90% less single-use plastic.
Learn More
Truly Lifestyle Brand
Surrey
SurreyTruly Lifestyle Brand is redefining natural skincare, and creating a conscious beauty space all at once. Made locally in British Columbia, Truly features an inclusive line of luxury skincare and haircare products at an affordable price.
Learn MoreE-commerce Experience Award Top 5
As Canadians increasingly turn to online shopping, our E-commerce Experience Award goes to a small business who presents an enjoyable experience for their customers online. Whether it’s on mobile or desktop, this business converts visitors into purchasers through an easy-to-navigate store experience and clear, measurable digital marketing strategy.
Copper Pony Poles
Courtenay
CourtenayCopper Pony was founded with one goal in mind: to make great products more accessible to equestrians across Canada. Every item they make, or choose to carry has been thoughtfully designed for versatility, durability, safety, and a winning appearance.
Learn More
Mint Cleaning
Ucluelet
UclueletLocated in Ucluelet, Mint Cleaning offers small batch cleaning products that optimize results while being eco-friendly, all-natural and non-toxic.
Learn More
Skookum Tools
Langford
LangfordSkookum Tools supplys tools online across Canada and the United States. They focus on Canadian made, high quality products and a commitment to providing a personalized customer experience.
Learn More
Timber + Gray
Nanaimo
NanaimoTimber + Gray is an online Canadian boutique, owned and operated by a Mama. Inspired by her struggles with infertility, the company is committed to paying it forward, with each purchase helping to support local charities like Mamas for Mamas and Crossroads Pregnancy Center.
Learn More
Two Brothers Toffee
Vancouver
VancouverTwo Brothers Toffee make small batch artisan toffee that combines traditional confectionary ingredients with an unexpected twist of modern, unique flavours. We offer “classic flavours” of Milk, Dark and Vegan Dark toffee, in additional to 8 “exotic flavours” of Smore, Hazelnut, Whitegold, Fireball, Whitecran, Espresso, Cherry & Chai.
Learn More