Meet the 2014 Nominees!
The nominees are in for the Chamber’s annual Small Business of the Year Awards! Thank to you all of our area businesses for their hard work and dedication, you are all deserving of recognition for the quality of service you bring to our region. The Chamber would also like to thank BMO Harris Bank for sponsoring the 17th annual Small Business of the Year Awards.
The Small Business of the Year Award (SBYA) is the highest entrepreneurial honor the Chamber awards its Members. It is the business community’s way of recognizing outstanding work done of, for and by the Members. The SBYA are divided into six categories: Business to Business, Business to Consumer, Not-for-Profit, Minority Owned Business, Young Professional Business Owner and Woman Owned Business . Members nominate one another for the awards. Once nominations are submitted, the winners are selected by the blue-ribbon committee-a panel of last year’s winners. The awards gala will take place on Friday, May 30, from 6-10 p.m. at the Bolingbrook Golf Club– 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook. The nominees in each category are as follows:
Business to Business
(Pictured: Atul Akhand)
Captivating Signs is a full service graphics and sign company focusing on providing quality products and service to our customers in a timely manner. We are located in Naperville and proud to be part of such a vibrant community.
(Pictured: Christina Caton Kitchel, Bill Caton and Steve Caton)
A Commercial Brokerage and Property Management firm; family owned for over 30 years. Our team approach and market knowledge create value for Investors, Owners, and Tenants throughout Chicagoland. Understanding our clients’ objectives assists us in achieving their Real Estate and investment goals; promoting economic growth within the communities we serve.
(Pictured: Bruce Jones)
Design & Promote is an internet marketing and web design firm located in Naperville, IL. We work with local and national businesses to increase their brand exposure and online recognition through a comprehensive portfolio of marketing services. Design & Promote is highly involved with the community, and provides free monthly seminars to help educate the public on inbound marketing strategies including search engine optimization, social media and more.
(Pictured: Kevin Peterson)
From important commercial projects to new residential and renovation, Architect Kevin Peterson and his team’s talent for design and innovation has served clients for 30 years. Kevin thrives on challenge and using creative design that balances the clients’ program requirements to create cost-effective final structures of both beauty and function.
(Pictured: Neil Brown)
Modern Marketing Partners (MMP) is a leading marketing communications, internet and advertising agency, recognized with over 50 national awards for creative and marketing excellence, and marketing partner to some successful brands in the region, and worldwide. Founded and headquartered in Naperville since 1996, MMP employs 14 staff that live nearby.
Business to Consumer
A fresh new version of American regional cuisine emerges as it is matched with the historic and healthy recipes of the Mediterranean. Emphasis is placed on seafood, shellfish, organic local poultry and lamb, pasta, ancient grains such as amaranth, bulgar wheat, couscous and spelt, fresh produce, olives, olive oils, herbs and spices indicative of the land of the sun. The influence of Spain, Southern France, Italy, Greece, Sicily, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and the Baltics blend with and compliment American classic specialties and ingredients.
(Pictured: James Nichols)
Recognized by Travel Channel, WGN Chicago’s Best and Rated #1 by NBC; Crosstown Pub doesn’t serve up your average menu! Chef-Owner Jim Nichols arranges menus that have many favorites along with seasonal choices both unique and familiar! Enjoy a fun, inviting family atmosphere with a full outside bar and patio!
(Pictured: Raj Patel)
The Hari Group is highly concentrated in Naperville and surrounding cities in South Western suburbs of Chicago and has just begun expanding to Quad Cities area in Western Illinois/Iowa and Minnesota The group employs more than 400 employees across the businesses.
(Pictured: Don Phillip)
Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts is a family-owned florist with ten locations in Chicago and suburbs, including Naperville. The company may be best known for its local flower shops, wedding and event decorations, and daily deliveries throughout Chicagoland. Other services include commercial interior plantscaping, holiday decorations, and nationwide flowers-by-wire. Eight family members are active in the business, which has been serving the greater Chicago area for more than 90 years.
(Pictured: Richard Licata)
Reebie Storage & Moving is the market leader and known as the oldest and most reliable mover in the Chicagoland area. Reebie has recently merged with Jackson who has been a Naperville Chamber Member since 1986. Between the two companies, we have 260+ years’ experience in all faucets of the moving and storage industry.
(Pictured: Ken Eng)
Tokyo Bay Sushi Bar & Grill offers an extensive menu selection and the best Asian Fusion Cuisine in the Naperville area. Our fish is overnighted to us fresh from Hawaii. However, we are more than just sushi and maki rolls!
Professional
(Pictured: Corey Schmidt & Zac Larson)
Faith and finances are the pillars that drive our client and community-focused business. By building personalized financial plans, enhanced through tax-efficient investment strategies, we guide our clients through major life events and market volatility, helping to create financial security that inspires generous living.
(Pictured: Adam Russo)
Edgewood Clinical Services is a specialized provider of quality counseling services for children, adolescents, couples, and families. Our goal is to join with each client in an exploration of the challenges that they are facing, and provide goal-directed treatment that will assist the client (and/or family) in achieving their stated objectives.
(Pictured: Adam Parks)
First Command’s focus is to build trusting Client-Advisor relationships by meeting face-to-face with our clients and their families to learn what’s important to them, helping them to establish meaningful and specific goals that reflect their values, and then constructing comprehensive financial plans for protecting their loved ones and pursuing their financial goals.
(Pictured: Dr. Manal Ibrahim)
Innovative Orthodontic Centers is an orthodontic practice providing braces and invisalign to patients of all ages. Innovative Orthodontic Centers was founded by Dr. Manal Ibrahim, who is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. She has a tremendous passion for dentistry and a loving approach towards her patients. She has built her practice on providing outstanding customer service and delivering extraordinary orthodontic treatment.
(Pictured: Niki Thurkow and Emily Deeney)
At Positive Behavioral Connections we provide home, clinic and community-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children on all ranges of the Autism Spectrum. We currently serve children from ages 18 months to 12 years. Our evidence-based treatment programs are designed and monitored by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).
(Pictured: Rick Lochner)
Sustainable Leadership is habitual. RPC Leadership Associates, Inc. was founded on this singular premise. We assist for-profit and non-profit organizations with strategy planning and alignment, people development and process improvement to achieve customer loyalty. We coach business owners and individual professionals to achieve sustained success by helping them make Leadership a Way of Life!
(Pictured: Jim Sikich)
Sikich LLP is a professional services firm headquartered in Naperville. Founded in 1982, Sikich offers a wide array of services, including accounting, audit and tax; technology; human resources consulting; business valuation; information security; insurance services; supply chain and more. Visit www.sikich.com to learn more.
(Pictured: Elijah Bolden)
Transworld Business Advisors is the leader in the marketing and sales of businesses, franchises and commercial real estate. Whether you represent an acquisition-minded corporation, or are personally interested in owning your own company. Transworld offers the professional services that successfully bring buyers and sellers together.
(Pictured: Dr. Erin O’Connor & Dr. Paul Nottoli)
Vitality Chiropractic Center is a unique practice that provides whole family care for both people and pets. Dr. Nottoli supplements his chiropractic adjustments with integrative diagnosis, a highly specific soft tissue modality, which helps his patients get quicker results. Dr. O’Connor is a board certified animal chiropractor through the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association.
Service
(Pictured: Greg Waite and Jim Hess)
Naper Auto Works is Naperville’s one stop shop for auto service and maintenance. Since opening the doors in 1977, founders Jim Hess & Greg Waite along with their staff of ASE Certified Technicians have been dedicated to providing dependable vehicle repair services along with the highest level of customer care.
(Pictured: Dale Showalter)
Showalter Roofing Service, Inc., established in 1979, is a roofing contractor for high-performance roofing systems for residential, commercial and industrial properties. We offer comprehensive customer support, installation and repair services. Showalter Roofing is a Master Elite Contractor with GAF, installing manufacturer certified roofing systems for steep and low slope roofs.
(Pictured: Bob Parida)
SPARKS Complete Car Care has been serving the Naperville area since 1990. We offer professional automotive service specializing in electrical and mechanical repairs using the latest diagnostic tools in the industry. We take pride in offering our customers quality service at a fair price. Our mission is to be a role model in the community by providing our valued customers with a warm, friendly & clean environment and treating them & their automobiles with respect they deserve.
(Pictured: Denise Provenzano)
From our beginnings in 1985 with one salon in the Naperville area, owner Denise Provenzano and her Salons and Day Spas have come a long way. She now employs over 150 people, including her two sons, Sam and Nick. Zano Salons vision is to create a better life through strong guest relationships, great leadership and education.
Young Professional Business Owner
(Pictured: Matthew Rasche)
Bull and Bear Naperville is the area’s premier Cigar lounge! With a diverse inventory in 9 walk in humidors and relaxing atmosphere, Bull and Bear of Naperville is a must-visit destination for an unparalleled smoking experience! We offer many brands of premium cigars, pipe tobacco and cigar accessories.
(Pictured: Zak Kates)
Simple Edge is a Web Design firm that specializes in Custom WordPress Web Development. We give great companies great online visibility.
(Pictured: Mike Healy)
Velocity Energy helps commercial and industrial companies in the procurement process for electricity and natural gas. We assist clients by soliciting and analyzing supplier bids to ensure they secure a price and program that exceeds their company goals. We enjoy long term partnerships with great clients to help their businesses succeed.
Not-For-Profit
(Pictured: Kimberly White)
The Community Career Center empowers jobseekers to achieve long term career stability and self-reliance by providing training and resources needed to conduct a successful job search in a supportive environment while also addressing the practical and personal aspects of unemployment. The Community Career Center works to raise awareness of employment issues and help employers meet workforce needs.
(Pictured: Idalynn Wenhold)
KidsMatter’s mission is to build resilient kids who say “no” to destructive choices and “yes” to endless possibilities! We equip youth and families with tools to manage the stress of everyday life through dynamic school and community programs, practical education, resources and youth recognition. Our goal – to stop problems in kids’ lives before they start!
(Pictured: Kristi Landorf)
Little Friends has been serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities for nearly 50 years. Based in Naperville, we operate three schools, vocational training programs, community-based residential services and the Little Friends Center for Autism. Little Friends serves more than 800 people each year across five counties.
(Pictured: Angela Adkins)
NAMI DuPage, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is a grassroots, community-based mental health organization. The mission of the organization is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illnesses through support, advocacy and education.
(Pictured: Becky Beilfuss)
Teen Parent Connection is the only nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, in DuPage County providing comprehensive programs and services related to teenage pregnancy, parenting and prevention. The mission of Teen Parent Connection is to serve the community through education on the realities and responsibilities of teenage pregnancy and through long-term assistance to adolescent parents for their development of self-esteem, parenting skills, and empowerment towards self-sufficiency.
(Pictured: Sandy Gbur)
Since 1976, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) has been serving those with disabilities through recreational programs and inclusion services. WDSRA offers Special Olympics, adapted sports, cultural arts programming, camps, travel opportunities, and more. Through therapeutic recreation, participants actively engage in the community and enjoy enhanced quality of life.