Businesses shine at chamber awards

Three decades of dedication to customers and the community earned top honours for one of the jewels in the local business community at the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards.

Wild Rose Jewellery and Gifts took home the award for business of the year for businesses with less than seven employees. It was one of nine awards handed out in seven categories at the 14th annual Business Excellence Awards at the Foothills Community Centre on Oct. 20.

Taking home one of the top awards of the night was an honour for Wild Rose Jewellery’s owner Garo Yanikyan and his daughter Natasha, and it was completely unexpected.

“I’m really, really surprised,” said Natasha. “I did not think we were going to win. I’m pleasantly surprised.”

She said they are blessed to still have strong support from the community after 33 years.

“Now we’re hitting generations where people will come in and tell us you helped my grandmother and now you’re doing my engagement ring,” she said. “It’s really cool to see the generations we’re helping.”

For employees at the Eagle 100.9 FM, winning business of the year for businesses with more than seven employees is a great recognition of their work.

“This is a total confidence boost and a really good team builder that happened here,” said Jayme Hall, program director.

He said they pride themselves on being a part of the community and supporting non-profit and charitable organizations and local businesses.

“We do our best to make sure that we are telling the stories of people that live in Okotoks, we hire locally from the community here and we also partner with the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce and many different organizations for events that happen here, so it just feels nice to have that recognition,” he said.

For Kerri Ann Colby, owner of Rebel Bean Roasters, winning New Business of the year is a sign she and her business are on the right track.

“When I started, my customer base was mostly made up of friends who were buying the beans and spreading the word,” she said. “Now, two-and-a-half years in, when I see people I don’t know personally going out of their way to buy the coffee or leave positive feedback in the social media realm, I am awestruck and so very grateful.”

From “Rebel Bean world headquarters” - a 100 square-foot corner room in Homeground coffee shop – she has grown her business as restaurants and stores have chosen to serve it to their own customers and she has become a regular presence in local markets. She also delivers right to her customers’ door.

“I saw a need for great, fresh coffee for the knowledgeable coffee drinker and started Rebel Bean to fill that need in the Foothills,” she said.

Okotoks chamber president Andrew Gustafson said the awards show the quality of Okotoks’ business community.

He said Okotoks has a strong, vibrant, and broad business scene and the awards are encouraging for the business owners and employees in all areas.

“It’s strong, it’s creative, there’s a tremendous work ethic here, people are still engaging with each other, people are coming together to solve problems that exist in an economy like this. People are still finding good service and are willing to talk about good service in our community,” he said.