Wayne County’s best small businesses were recognized last night at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet.
The Small Business Center at Wayne Community College and the Chamber acknowledged all of the nominees and the two winners in the “Small Business of the Year” and “Start-Up of the Year” categories.
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes the small business that has most demonstrated excellence in business practices, customer service, and community involvement. Other criteria include being a respected corporate citizen, exhibiting growth potential, and offering value to the community through either job creation or general positive image.
The nominees for Small Business of the Year were the Arts Council of Wayne County, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services McMillen & Associates Realty, Jay’s Sushi and Burger Bar, Matthews Motors, Ram Rent-All, Inc., and Worrell Contracting Co., Inc. Ram Rent-All won.
To qualify for Start-Up of the Year, nominees had to have opened their doors for the first time in either 2016 or 2017. To win, the business must have exhibited exceptional thoughtfulness and organization throughout the process of creating its business plan and seeing that plan through to fruition.
Big Jim’s Pizza, Goldsboro Brew Works, Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Homefront Room Revival, Pink Piggy Sweets Studio 33 Dance Company, The Loft Hair Studio and Spa, and Tobacco and Hops were nominated. Goldsboro Brew Works was named the Start-Up of the Year.
The winners were presented plaques and the business names will be added to a permanent plaque in the offices of the Wayne Business and Industry Center located at Wayne Community College.