In an effort to salute Gwinnett’s small businesses and entrepreneurs as pivotal to America’s economic growth and stability, the Gwinnett Chamber and presenting sponsor Purchasing Alliance Solutions hosted the 2017 Pinnacle Small Business Awards luncheon and ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Infinite Energy Forum. In conjunction with the third annual Small Business Summit, the event honored many of successful small businesses and entrepreneurs for their extraordinary achievement.
“We are honored to celebrate and recognize the region’s top small businesses and individuals that contribute greatly to our local economy,” said Dr. Dan Kaufman, President & CEO, Gwinnett Chamber. “These businesses, led by risk-takers and visionaries, are essential to creating jobs and sustaining economic growth.”
American Painting and Renovations, Inc. received both the 2017 Pinnacle Overall Gwinnett Small Business of the Year Award and the Family-Owned Small Business of the Year Award. Sid Theus, CEO, American Painting and Renovations, Inc. said that he is very grateful for outpouring of support and recognition.
“I am very honored to have received these awards from my small business peers at the Gwinnett Chamber,” said Sid Theus, CEO, American Painting and Renovations, Inc. “I believe that all businesses can benefit from being a member of the Gwinnett Chamber. The more time and effort you put in to it, the more it gives back to you, your business and the community’s well-being.”
Established in 1991, American Painting and Renovations, Inc., is nationally recognized as a premiere specialist in commercial and residential renovations from single-family dwellings to apartment and condo interior and exterior conversion. Whether it’s a multi-family, commercial or residential renovation, American Painting and Renovations, Inc.’s moto is to provide its customers with prompt, reliable, cost-effective service.
An estimated 700 nominations were submitted for the Pinnacle Small Business Award, tripling the nominees over the previous three years. From the 700 nominations 64 finalist were chosen from 11 categories. The category winners are as follows.
Small Business of the Year: 0-5 Employees – Pre-press 2 Printing, Inc.
Pre-press 2 Printing, Inc. is an offset and digital printer that sells to the public. With over 60 years of experience, the owner looks at every job as an opportunity to use the experience he has gained. Whether it is a small or large job, Pre-Press to Printing, Incorporated strives to make it into an award-winning piece. They use “yesterday’s skills with today’s technology.”
Small Business of the Year: 6-24 Employees – Signarama Buford & Duluth
Signarama Buford & Duluth (SBD) is your premiere commercial sign and promotional items company, which contributes to the local community growth by helping businesses grow and succeed. SBD also provides marketing and branding expertise to increase visibility, and ultimately sales. SBD priority is their clients best interest in everything they do and believe that building relationships is the cornerstone for success. Their goal is to deliver the ultimate client experience.
Small Business of the Year: 25+ Employees – Paradigm Security Services, Inc.
Paradigm Security Services (PSS) partners with their clients to provide the finest security services and products available in the marketplace. This enables PSS clients to run their operations with minimal effort and concern for the safety and security of their properties, employees and residents. PPS partners with their employees, who they believe are ultimately responsible for their success. This environment is promoted through superior training, benefits, job satisfaction, recognition and advancement opportunities.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year – American Painting & Renovations, Inc.
Over 25 years ago, brothers Sid and Chris Theus began American Painting & Renovations, Inc. By providing quality workmanship and reliable service, the company has grown into a nationwide corporation specializing in the renovation of apartment communities and commercial buildings. Sid and Chris also own and operate Theus Properties, LLC, a real estate holdings and investment company.
Home-Based Small Business of the Year – Reno M. Borgognoni, CPA, PC
Reno M. Borgognoni, CPA, PC provides personal and professional service to individuals and businesses. He leads clients through the tax and business license regulations and preparations for all required filings. He provides professional advice on business entity formation, and supports clients through the formation of a partnership, LLC or corporation. Through H.D. Vest Investment Services, Mr. Borgognoni provides financial advisory services for individuals and businesses.
Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year – Capital City Mediations, LLC
Capital City Mediations, LLC (CCM) is a mediation, arbitration and consulting firm. Rebekah Ratliff, President, is a credentialed former casualty insurance claims professional. Rebekah has spent 25 years with major commercial insurance carriers and transferred her skill set into an international mediation practice. In addition to alternative dispute resolution services, CCM offers case evaluation and consultation services to assist clients with early resolution, thereby reducing overhead and stress. Rebekah is registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution as a Mediator and Arbitrator. She is also a highly sought-after presenter and panel speaker in the industry.
Small Business Resource Champion of the Year – Sandler Training by Simon, Inc.
Sandler Training by Simon, Inc. (STS) is a sales performance training and coaching organization. STS helps their clients by building their skill sets with training and one-on-one coaching to be more effective in their selling efforts. The company’s culture is high-touch and personal, and they get to know their clients on an in-depth level.
Rising Star Small Business of the Year – Sourced.
Sourced. provides services in the most needed areas of business: marketing, bookkeeping, office assistance, and personal assistance. The company employs 20 individuals and serves over 30 businesses in Atlanta. Its culture is warm and family-like, where its team has flexibility for their lifestyles. Sourced. empowers its specialists to lead projects, and its leadership maintains a philosophy of openness and transparency. One bookkeeper described Sourced. as a “unicorn business” since our culture is so rare to find.
Young Entrepreneur Small Business of the Year – TIE -Frenik Marketing Group and Shuma Sports
Frenik Marketing Group
Thriving on positive energy and entrepreneurial inspiration, the Frenik Marketing Group has its roots firmly planted in Gwinnett’s growing business success. Woven into the company’s “inventor culture” is an atmosphere for creative team designs and seamless multimedia cross platform campaigns.
Shuma Sports
Established in 2014, Shuma Sports, places a premium on customer value and satisfaction by simplifying the ordering process of uniform and specialty apparel. Offering a full line of sports team uniforms, equipment, school spirit wear, corporate apparel and much more, every team member associate ensures selection and design choices are customized to ensure the best products are delivered to our customers.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Foster & Witmer
Foster & Witmer (F&W) is an independent insurance agency. Their F&W logo stands for Foster & Witmer but it also stands for Family & Work. Over half of the organization has been together for greater than 10 years, and as lofty as 28 years. F&W develops long-standing relationships with their customers that expend beyond “the sale.”
Non-Profit of the Year – Georgia School Boards Association, Inc.
The Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) is a 501c3 non-profit organization serving the 180 public school districts in the state of Georgia. Their mission is to ensure excellence in the governance of local school systems by providing leadership, advocacy and services, and by representing the collective resolve of Georgia’s elected boards of education. As a membership organization, their board and staff are passionate about serving their members to improve the educational opportunities for Georgia’s 1.7 million public education students.
Pinnacle Small Business Award Fan Favorite (awarded from among the semi-finalists) – Tiny Towne
Tiny Towne is a high-tech driving edu-tainment park where kids learn the rules of the road in a safe and controlled environment. The 36,000 SF facility has a driving school, a Carcade, several party rooms, a restaurant, two driving tracks and 3 different size cars to accommodate kids of all ages (3-16-year-old) Tiny Towne goal is to educate the future driving kids through interactive FUN and give them years of awareness, confidence and experience before they get behind the wheel. Tiny Towne is open to field trips and summer camps during school days and on weekend and holidays.
