Wayne Vandenberg of Zircon Graphics was one of 13 company leaders honoured at the Business of the Year awards.
“I did not expect this one little bit. I’ve never been to an event like this, much less win one,” said Vandenberg at the podium after he won the Young Entrepreneurs Award.
The award is rewarded to someone under the age of 35 who has demonstrated risk and leadership in their endeavours. At only 22, Vandenberg owns a rapidly growing company, already expanding to a second location in Calgary after just three years.
“I love risk. If things are going really smoothly and it’s just going steady, I get bored. I like to expand and grow and try new things. I don’t like to stay in the same spot.”
The Lethbridge chamber of commerce says Lethbridge has an excellent local business community.
“There is a thriving business community in Lethbridge,” said Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce communications and events coordinator, Kevin Farrell. “Right now there are generally sitting around 3,000 or so individual businesses in Lethbridge.”
Though Lethbridge is home to popular chain companies, the local community has supported independent, home-grown companies, paving the way for young entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
“The people of Lethbridge are really great for supporting local small businesses,” said Farrell. “They want to see their fellow citizens succeed in their endeavours.”
Business owners know the sacrifice and effort it takes to make a company a success. For those just getting started, any gesture of recognition is appreciated.
“It’s nice to be honoured for something you’ve worked so hard for. There’s a lot of times that I worked all week with no breaks until late at night and starting early in the morning. Sometimes you wonder if you’re ever going to get anywhere. If you get an award like that it’s nice.”
Here is the full list of the night’s award winners:
Business Leadership Award: Galko Homes
Business Legacy Award: D.M.T. Mechanical Ltd.
Business-Environment Connection Award: Umami Shop
Dalton Jordan Memorial Award for Business Excellence: Two Guys and a Pizza Place
Estelle Botfield Memorial Award for Customer Service Excellence: Kapow Ltd. Comics, Cards & Games
Exporter of the Year Award: Haul-All Equipment Services
Innovation Award: Haul-All Equipment Services
New Venture/New Business Award: Smudge Art Studio Inc.
Small Business of the Year Award: Top Form Construction
Spirit of Lethbridge Award: 5th on 5th Youth Services
Young Entrepreneur Award: Zircon Graphics
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