Each year we gather and celebrate the year's successes and honour our champions of business. Nominations are submitted by the membership or by persons/businesses well acquainted with the business they choose to nominate. We encourage you to cast your vote by logging in to make your nominations. Award recipients are kept secret until the final moment.  Congratulations to this year's winners!
 

Excellence in Small Business Award

Goes to the company with 1-15 employees, full or part time, that as a whole exhibits attributes of community involvement and commitment to the development of business in East Gwillimbury. Consistently exhibit social and business responsibility and character attributes in their business and social dealings. They support the community as a whole in building awareness to the business and community values East Gwillimbury can offer its business owners and residents.

• The winner works every day to make people smile and puts extra care and love into everything she creates. Her business has grown successfully for over the past 10 years and she gives back to the community in so many ways.
• Her multiple nominators say “she provides exceptional service and take the worry out of any gift giving plans. She is professional and committed to excellence in her field and is also very community minded”.
• Award sponsored by the Era and presented by Advertising Manager, Retail and Real Estate and Vice president of the EGCOC Laurie McDonald.

Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Excellence in Small Business “Anita Smeskal Donato of For All Occasion Gift Baskets”.

Excellence in Large Business Award

In addition to the attributes of a small business, and with 15 or more employees full or part time, the Large business company willingly supports business owners and the community through participation and sponsorship of both community and business activities.

• The winners run a family-owned business that has grown from a five hundred square foot store on a one and a half acre property to a ten thousand square foot store on four acres of land! They have always been community-minded and employ 90% of their 28 staff members from the local community!
• The nominators had so many positive things to say and pointed out specifically the excellent customer service and warm and friendly atmosphere. All nominators acknowledged them for the way their community involvement and the multitude of ways they are support and help the community quietly and behind the scenes.
• Award sponsored by FPL Aggregates Ltd. and presented by the Town of EG Manager of Economic Development & Sustainability Dan Stone.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Excellence in Large Business “Doug and Tom Willitts of Mount Albert Home Hardware”.
 

Best New Venture/Start-Up Award

This new company, less than 2 years, exhibits the Character attributes and shows a commitment to the East Gwillimbury business and community at large through their business dealings.

• Having opened their restaurant in 2010, the winner’s passion for food and devotion to his customers has motivated him to travel the world and work with some of the finest chefs. It has been only a year since they opened but already they are receiving a ton of acknowledgement and praise.
• The nominator says that that they have “an excellent restaurant with great service ,delicious food and nice ambiance”
•  Award sponsored by the South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation and presented by SLCFDC Board member Terry Russell.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Best New Venture/ Start up “Allan Rabot and Thayalan Nagamuthu of The Ladle Restaurant”.
 

Environmental Leadership Award

This business participates in environmental leadership on a personal and/or professional ongoing basis. This business shows a commitment to the environment through their actions and ongoing efforts to educate, inform, and lead by example demonstrating environmental leadership and responsibility. They willingly share information to help individuals and companies become more aware of how they can each make a difference and contribute in environmental leadership.

• The winner says “We are in the business of providing used auto parts, recycling automobiles and processing scrap metal….we process over 1,600 vehicles each year and keep a mountain of waste and hazardous fluids out of the landfill and our environment every year” They are actively involved in numerous charities and make a wonderful and positive difference in our community and beyond!
• The nominator says that this person is very passionate about running an environmentally friendly business and also participates in a number of charity events year round, having raised thousands of dollars for children in need. He actively participates in his community in a variety of ways and is someone with integrity and genuine care for our environment, community and people”
• Award sponsored by TD Canada Trust and presented by TD Canada Trust District Vice President John Morrow.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Environmental Leadership “Tom Huehn of Four Hundred Auto Wreckers (Canada) Ltd”.
 

Business Community Service Award

This business shows a strong commitment to ‘giving back’ through participation in numerous business and community organizations and/or charitable events. They volunteer extensively and/or contribute products or services to support various events within East Gwillimbury and York Region North without remuneration, for the good of the business and social fabric.

• The winner says “Our mission is to serve Veterans which includes serving military and RCMP officers and their families. To promote remembrance and serve our communities and our countries”. Five years ago this individual was instrumental in organizing a Support Our Troop Rally to recognize and thank the peace keeping efforts of our Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and throughout other parts of the world. There is no doubt she makes a huge and positive difference wherever she goes.
• The nominator says: This nominee “is committed to the East Gwillimbury community through her long standing involvement in the Sports Day Event, as president of the Mount Albert Legion, her past participation in the Chamber of Commerce and attending and supporting most community, church and public events. She consistently goes above and beyond what is expected in her role as local town councillor…I believe she embodies the best of what this award stands for, and hope that she is recognized for her long-standing contributions to East Gwillimbury”.
• Award sponsored by the East Gwillimbury Business Development Committee and presented by Kevin Dixon.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Business Community Service “Cathy Morton, President for the Mount Albert Royal Canadian Legion". 

Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

This entrepreneur, 30 years of age or younger, exhibits professionalism, maturity, a balanced set of business and personal skills, and serves as an inspiration to other young people and business owners at large. They support not only their own business growth, but also the business community of East Gwillimbury, and serve as a role model for young people within the community. This person also contributes and participates in a variety of community and business events.

• The winner jumped at the chance to start her own business close to home. She wanted to create a local establishment where all walks of life would feel at home with a great variety of food and entertainment that they didn’t have to drive into the city to find – and she certainly has succeeded!
• The nominators say “they have hosted the EG chamber breakfasts and the food and service was outstanding! We are fortunate to have this business in our chamber and to be located in EG. Our experiences with them have always been a positive one!”
• Award sponsored by the Workforce Planning Board of York Region & Bradford West Gwillimbury and presented by Al Wilson.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year “Heather Dewar of The Roast of Sharon”.
 

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

A business with vision, creating a unique business that may accomplish an outcome that changes the way business has been done until they created their manner of practice. They show growth in their business and overcome obstacles while creating a special niche within their business sector.

• The winner of this award is one of the first pioneers in their field, setting up her own practice and growing largely by word of mouth by happy clients who have been referring her due to her high quality of service and exceptional client care. The winner says “The greatest accomplishments of my business have been to stay true to my initial vision and provide a standard of care my clientele are choosing to access. I have been able to blend my business and provide home care for those who are not able to access my office.
• The nominator says: “As a health care worker myself, I can appreciate the hard work and dedication she has for her clientele. It never ceases to amaze me running into her patients how impressed they are with her thorough and educative approach to health care.”
• Award sponsored by RC Environmental Inc. and presented by East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson.
Congratulations to the Winner of the 2011 Spirit of Success Award for Entrepreneur of the Year “Marilyn Payne of Marilyn Payne Professional Dental Hygiene Services”.
 

    East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce | 905-478-8447 | PO Box 199 -1590 Queensville Side Road, Queensville, ON  L0G 1R0 | Monday - Friday  9am - 4pm