There is no better way to judge success than by the opinions of one's peers, and that honor is held for the 25 most inspiring and impressive businesses at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's 2010 Pinnacle Small Business Awards.
The nominees for this year's Pinnacle Awards represent Gwinnett's most successful and prosperous businesses and non-profit organizations over the past year – quite an accomplish an accomplishment in a historically challenging economic environment.
"Some of our finalist companies had their best year ever in 2009,"says Demming Bass, Gwinnett Chamber vice president of communications and public policy." It has been so inspirational to hear success story after success story, especially since there is so much bad news about the economy from the media."
The event has been held for 28 years and grows with excitement each April. Winners are nominated by fellow members of the Gwinnett business community based on the Small Business Association's criteria of above average growth and profitability, growth in number of employees, contributions to the community, overcoming adversity, original entrepreneurship and more. This year, there were 300 nominees.
"Winning the Pinnacle Award last year was the fulfillment of a dream for me,"says Dave McMullen, principal of Redpepper and the overall 2009 Small Business Person of the Year winner." I can remember years ago watching the awards ceremony and thinking, 'I wonder if I can do that?' It was a very emotional moment when I heard my name announced."
The honor of earning the Pinnacle Award is a prestigious achievement for Gwinnett businesses, and it can have a major impact at many levels." The biggest change since the award has been within our company,"says McMullen." We had a big year in 2009, and our confidence and morale has never been higher. Everyone at Redpepper believes 2010 will be a breakthrough year."
The success of the Pinnacle Award winners and nominees is celebrated at an annual luncheon – this year held April 23 at Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place. Fifty finalists were announced prior to the luncheon, but the Small Business Person of the Year winners and top 25 Pinnacle Award finalists were not revealed until the ceremony that day. Those recognized included area small businesses with 1-10 employees, 11-99 employees and 100+ employees, as well as the relatively new category of small, medium and large non-profit organizations.
The overall Small Business of the Year winner will be eligible to participate in Georgia's Small Business of the Year competition. If the winning company takes the top prize at the state level, they will go on to compete at the national level and will be honored in Washington, D.C. during National Small Business Week May 23-25.
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the well being of America. Small businesses, such as those honored by the Pinnacle Awards, are major contributors to the strength of the American economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. These companies drive innovation, create 60-80% of new jobs in the country and increase U.S. competitiveness.
Matt Hyatt, founder and CEO of Rocket IT, is one of 2009's Small Business Person of the Year Award winners." The award has been mentioned as a factor in the decision-making process for new clients several times. It has fueled our company's goals, and we are very appreciative of the recognition from our peers in the community and from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce."
Logical Choice Technologies, another 2009 winner in the 100+ employees category, attributes the tremendous amount of awareness the company received last year to winning the award." Our heart and passion is making a difference in K-12 education,"says company CEO Cynthia Kaye." The award helped instill pride among our 250 employees in what they are doing and for being a part of the Gwinnett community." The company experienced 40% growth last year despite the difficult economic times.
Selecting the Pinnacle Award winners each year is a challenge that goes to past overall Business Person of the Year award winners, as well as members of several winning non-profit organizations, chamber staff and board member representatives, and Robert Andoh, director of the University of Georgia's Small Business Development Center. Each judge individually score every nominee based on the SBA standards, and the scores are added together to determine the finalist and winners.
This year, one of the finalists had a truly amazing story, re-told here by Demming." The founder had his first meeting for his brand new company with his very first prospective client at 8:30 a.m. on September 11, 2001. The client's son worked in the World Trade Center. He escaped unharmed, they later learned. Despite its ominous start, fast forward 9 years and Integrative Logic is now ranked one of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing, privately held companies in America."
"There are so many great businesses in Gwinnett – and so many impressive entrepreneurs – that judging was a difficult task,"says McMullen." Any company that continues to grow and prosper in this economy deserves an award. It wasn't easy to choose one final winner."
In the Gwinnett Chamber's membership, nearly 3,000 companies are represented – a combined $200 billion in revenue and more than 750,000 total employees. The Pinnacle Awards honor those companies that have truly risen to the top.
