2023 Nanaimo Business Awards

 

1. Retailer
Sponsored by: Downtown Nanaimo Business Association DNBA

• This award is given to a business that offers excellence in retail through presentation of a unique concept, an intriguing environment, unique products and/or services and consistent delivery of high-value service.

Finalists- Flying Fish
                     Island-ish
                     Purple Cactus Lingerie
                     Red Shelf
                     Snip and Stitch

2. Food & Beverage
Sponsored by: Nanaimo Hospitality Association

• The Food & Beverage award recognizes hospitality businesses that consistently demonstrate excellence in food service, quality, and presentation. Customers feel special and staff feel safe and supported.

Finalists- Gabriel's Cafe
                     Luna
                     Melange
                     Nori Japanese Restaurant
                     Red's Bakery

3. Health & Wellness
Sponsored by: Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation 

• The Health & Wellness award goes to a favourite clinic that seems to always go above and beyond. Such as an alternative health care provider, pharmaceutical, natural/homeopath, RMT, physio, or chiropractor with service second to none!

Finalists- Gillian Goertzen/Super You
                     Island Optimal
                     Long Lake Chiropractic
                     Mood Cannabis
                     Three Cedars Wellness Collective

4. Personal & Aesthetic Services
Sponsored by: Turley's

• The Personal & Aesthetic Services award includes anything that makes you look and feel good. This award reflects spas, hair stylists, nail technicians, personal trainers, tailors, estheticians, make-up artists etc.

Finalists- Aura Hair Boutique
                     Breze Salon
                     Four Crows Barbershop
                     Foxy Box
                     Kiyo salon
5. Creative Services
Sponsored by: Alpha

• The Creative Services award recognizes digital creative services such as graphic designers, photographers, videographers, web designers, social media influencers. And the Arts in the form of dance, theatre, drawing, clay, painting etc.– and anything else in this field that fits!

Finalists- Barbara Anne Photography
                     Black Cat Studios
                     Elite Image Photography
                     Harbour Dance Studio
                     Spotlight Academy

6. Financial Services
Sponsored by: Vancouver Island Conference Centre

• This award is for businesses in banking, finance, investment, accounting, insurance, consulting, or other professional services, whom will be recognized for their product and service range, industry knowledge, and expertise.

Finalists- CIBC
                    Coastal Community Credit Union
                    HUB International
                    Island Savings
                    RBC Woodgrove

 7. Property Developers
Sponsored by: City of Nanaimo

• This award goes to a diverse selection Property developers, designers, and builders. These unsung heroes, enable the Nanaimo community to grow and prosper.

Finalists - Alair Homes
                     B.Gallant Homes
                     Dogwood Mountain Homes
                     Island Red Cedar
                     Saywell Construction

8. Family First Award  
Sponsored by: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
Honours a business that: 

• Creates a culture that supports work/life balance. 
• Demonstrates support and care for employee’s parental needs such as job sharing, option to work from home or flexibility when family matters arise. 
• Staff and owners demonstrate an inclusive attitude towards families with young children for both employees and customers
• Provides assistance and support to employees with aging seniors. 

Finalists- BGC Central Vancouver Island
                     Child Development Centre
                     Children's Health Foundation
                     Eden Gardens
                     Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation

9. Young Entrepreneur
Sponsored by: Coastal Community Credit Union

• If you are under 40 – this award is for you! Young entrepreneurs have what it takes to make it in business – a good idea, vision, and understanding of their marketplace and the unique qualities of a successful business operator – passion, drive, energy, and creativity.

10. Micro & Home-Based Business
Sponsored by: Canadian Home Builders

• This award recognizes businesses with up to 10 employees. This includes startups, entrepreneurs, and businesses who’ve entered into this business movement. 

Finalists- Coastal Boards and Bites
                     Cold Front Gelato
                     Little Tree Garden Centre
                     Nanaimo Buyer's Club
                     Tipsy Avocado

11. Small & Medium Business: 11 - 99 Employees 
Sponsored by: Grant Thornton LLP

• Small & Medium Enterprise targets businesses with 11-99 employees. This award gives recognition of businesses with a vision and demonstrated capacity for sustainable growth, engagement in innovative practices, demonstrating outstanding performance in their field.

Finalists- Black Cat Studios
                     Island-ish
                     Nanaimo Bakery
                     Norm's Plumbing and Heating
                     Mood Cannabis

12. Major Employer -- 100+ Employees
Sponsored by: Scotiabank

• This award recognizes a company in any industry for excellence as a business who engages in innovative practices, is outstanding as a pioneer in their field and are focused on positively impacting the community through more than their workforce weight. These business show promise for growth and increased positive stimulus as a community economic driver.

Finalists- Coastal Community Credit Union
                     Costco
                     Eden Gardens
                     Island Crisis Care
                     VIU
 13. Community Builder of the Year
 Sponsored by: Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services

• The Community Builder of the Year Award honours a business, non-profit organization, or public sector agency that demonstrates a commitment to the community beyond their usual business practices; has a long-term desire to build diverse, inclusive and balanced communities; makes a sustainable and tangible impact in the region; and displays a clear commitment to social responsibility.

Finalists- Burnt Honey
                     Children's Health Foundation
                     Coco Cafe
                     Foodshare
                     Island Crisis Care

14. Trades & Skilled Labour
Sponsored by: BMO

• These are the people who take your dreams and ideas from paper and turn them into reality: contractors, builders, electricians & plumbers, roofers, carpenters, you get the gist. 

Finalists- Alair Homes
                     B. Gallant Homes
                     Cadre Builders
                     Cooper Audio Designs 
                     Norm's Plumbing and Heating

15. Indigenous Business
Sponsored by: Nanaimo Airport Commission

• Recognize Indigenously owned and operated businesses – ground breakers or long-standing operations. We’re looking forward to many nominations demonstrating the diversity of our community

Finalists- Ay Lelum
                     Beefeaters Restaurant
                     Cedar Creek Caskets
                     Strong Nations Publishing
 

16. People’s Choice
Sponsored by: Casino Nanaimo 

• This award will go to any business who YOU think deserves it! 

Finalists- Drip Coffee
                     Island-ish
                     Mambo Pizza
                     Nanaimo Women Helping Women
                     Red Shelf

17. Non-Profit
Sponsored by: Island Radio

• This award is presented to a registered not-for-profit organization which, through its activities and initiatives creates tangible benefits to individuals and/or the community at large which demonstrates ongoing achievements for the well-being of those it directly involves. 

Finalists- Cat Nap Society
                     Child Development Centre
                     Loaves and Fishes
                     Nanaimo Hospital Thrift Store
                     SPCA Nanaimo and District Branch

18. Innovation Award
Sponsored by: VIFC Limited Partnership  

• The award honours a business that has developed a process, product or service that is original and contributes to profitability and/or market share. This is demonstrated through the use of science and/or technology to create a business that is original or unique; shows a high degree of originality, creativity.

Finalists- Iron Oxide Art Supplies
                     Island Crisis Care
                     Island-ish
                     Nanaimo Arts Council
                     Strong Nations Publishing

19. Women in Business
Sponsored by: Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island

• The Women in Business Award honours a female who is the founder, CEO, President, or Senior Executive of a company who exhibits business leadership and vision; displays a significant commitment to the success of both their business and the region as a whole; serves as a positive role model or mentor for other business people; and exemplifies professional behaviour maintaining an upstanding reputation in the business community and region as a whole.

Finalists- Coastal Boards and Bites
                     Fig Love
                     Funk Revival
                     Island-ish
                     Spotlight Academy

20. New Business of the Year 
Sponsored by: H2 Accelerator

• This award is presented to a new business in operation for not more than three (3) years. This business is recognized for its excellence in the areas of management, branding, marketing, product development and quality, staff training and customer service.

Finalists- Black Cat Studios
                     Black Rabbit Restaurant
                     Coastal Boards and Bites
                     Mood Cannabis
                     Poke Page