Markets, concerts, fundraisers in the frame for Torquay Business Awards

CRAIG Smith, who launched Champion Blinds with his wife Kerryn Mandersloot in 2001, has played a pivotal role in shaping Torquay’s small business landscape.

His leadership and longstanding contribution to the region were recognised at last year’s Torquay Business Awards with the title of Business Leader of the Year, a nod to his commitment to the wellbeing of others, as well as his reputation for exceptional service and customer satisfaction.

Mr Smith said the recognition had given him the confidence that the business has achieved what it set out to.

“I entered the awards because I really wanted to have an award that reflected on the staff, and then we got the Business Leader [of the Year Award]. I still feel it did reflect on the team because they were instrumental in me being able to achieve that award.

“It’s given me confidence to think ‘Well, we might be doing something right as a business’. We do always try and do the right thing in terms of supporting our staff and customers, and the people around us.”

For business owners like himself who are often busy focusing on the day-to-day operations, he said the awards offered a great opportunity to reflect and to take stock of your achievements.

“You’re forced to have that moment of reflection and look back at where you’ve come from to where you are now.

“For all business owners and businesses in general, [entering the Torquay Business Awards] is a good thing to do regardless of the category you enter. It’s a good thing to gauge yourself against the rest of the business community and to see where you fit into that landscape, whether you win or you don’t.”

 

 

Several new award categories have been added to the program this year to better recognise the creative and diverse achievements of the businesses operating across the 3228 postcode, including the Event of the Year Award.

Commerce Torquay president Sarah Minter said the Surf Coast was renowned for its amazing events, from the beloved Nightjar Festival and famous Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach to its community-minded fundraising events.

“A really broad variety of events will come under this category,” she said.

“So many of these events do so much work in relation to their sustainable practices and really give back to the community, so it would be great to have an opportunity to spotlight both their business success and these other aspects.

“This is a real shout-out to any markets, concerts, festivals, fundraisers and sporting events. If people are organising events, then we’d like to hear from them.”

A Personal Care Award, encapsulating businesses in the health and wellbeing, beauty and fitness industries, and an Out of the Box Award, for the region’s innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs who don’t fit neatly into the other award categories, will also be part of the program for the first time.

Ms Minter encouraged those eager to enter the awards to get cracking on their submission and emphasised the importance of providing detailed responses to every question, noting the judging panel can only assess what’s included in the application.

Entries to this year’s Torquay Business Awards will close in less than a month, with the deadline set for July 31. Head to commercetorquay.com.au