The 2011 Winning Edge Awards banquet recognized the best of Airdrie business at Woodside Golf Course, Oct. 21.
The Winning Edge Award is given to an exceptional small business that demonstrates superior customer service, innovative practices and is an active corporate citizen. This year’s recipient is Here’s The Scoop/ADvance Distribution, owned by Al and Lois Jones.
Jones said the award humbles him.
“There is a little more bounce in everyone’s step this morning,” he said on Oct. 25.
“It feels incredible. We are very fortunate to be in a community that’s so progressive in its thinking.”
He said the company owes its success to partners in the community.
“We owe this award to a lot of clients and community members who have worked alongside us,” he said.
“It is just as much their awards as ours. We will just take care of it for them.”
Here’s The Scoop/ADvance Distribution have 15 staff members and 124 carries. ADvance Distribution has been in operation for 15 years and Here’s The Scoop has been in business for 10 years.
“It has been really fun and the award is the cherry on top,” said Jones.
“We are very involved in the community because we are out and about all the time so we like to roll up our sleeves and get involved. If you have an expectation that people will support your business, you have to support them. People like to do business with those they know.”
Jones said he would like to thank whoever nominated his business for the award.
“It’s nice to be appreciated,” he said.
The Airdrie Business Leader Award was given out to a local visionary who is an exceptional leader, in the community.
Dick Buchanan of Air-Alta Insurance (Airdrie) Ltd. was honoured as the 2011 recipient of this prestigious award. Buchanan has operated his business in Airdrie for more than 35 years.
“As a leader and visionary, he has been very supportive of initiatives to promote and enhance the entire business community and is well known for his support of a wide variety of community events, organizations and initiatives,” said Matt Carre, media chair of the Winning Edge Awards Committee.
The Eco Edge Award, sponsored by the City of Airdrie Environmental Services Advisory Board, recognizes a business promoting, taking part and providing leadership in the environmental arena. The 2011 Eco Edge Award winner is Natural e Green, owned by Tamara Laschinsky.
“Airdrionians are very health-conscious and pro-active when it comes to green living,” said Laschinsky.
“Our customers have supported us from the very beginning and provided valuable input, which has helped us grow. We’ve learned a great deal from Airdrie itself and have incorporated many of those practices into our business.”
This is the first time that an online business has been recognized with one of the Winning Edge Business Awards.
The Family Friendly Business Award recognizes a business that demonstrates family friendly practices, either through supporting employees’ needs or being a fun place for customers to visit. The 2011 recipient is Grow with Us Retail & Consignment, owned by Rebecca Reaville.
“One of the things I love about having my store is getting to know my customers; I am able to do this in a community like Airdrie. There are also great connections for the business community to help learn and grow in my business,” said Reaville.
