(BBB)
Recipients of the BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston's Business of the Year Torch Awards and Spark Awards were named at a ceremony held on Wednesday, November 01, 2023, at Seawell’s.
BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston presents the Business of the Year Torch Award each year to companies that exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations. The Torch Awards are open to all businesses in the Midlands and Lowcountry regions. Nominees are offered the opportunity to submit an entry to the BBB, where a panel of judges from SCORE review the entries and choose the winners. SCORE aims to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.
The Spark Award honors eligible social entrepreneurs, startup founders, and new business owners who embody and cultivate the Three C's of Trust: Character, Culture, and Community. Businesses located within the Midlands and Lowcountry regions must operate for at least six months but not more than 3 years at the time of application. Nominees are reviewed by the SCORE panel of judges.
Please join us in congratulating the following businesses on being named the 2023 BBB Business of the Year Torch Award Recipients and the 2023 Spark Award Recipient.
Small Business: Palmetto Freight Carriers
Medium Business: Timmy Hayes Moving
Large Business: Galeana Automotive Group
Spark Award: Oceanview Heating & Air Conditioning Repair
“This is always an inspiring event,” said Chris Hadley, President and CEO of the BBB serving Central SC and Charleston. “BBB is committed to its principles of Trust and Ethics in the marketplace. We appreciate the ongoing support from all our Accredited Businesses. BBB is especially pleased to highlight the outstanding work of our Business of the Year Torch Award Recipients and the Spark Award Recipient.”
More than 100 business owners, employees, and community leaders attended the ceremony. Cherelle Turner performed the National Anthem to kick off the event. The Featured Speaker for the Awards Dinner was U.S. Army Major General Jeff Jones, who discussed the sacrifices our military heroes make each day to allow us to live in the land of the free. Major General Jones shared his message about remembrance, respect, responsibility, and trust.
Jessica Hunt Photography provided photography, and photos will be made available once they have been provided to BBB.
The evening also featured the election of new Officers for the Board of Directors for 2024:
Chris Morrison, Chairman - Terratec
Gwendowlyn Rivers, Vice-Chair - Caro-Smart Financial Solutions
Rick Durkee, Treasurer - Coastal Financial Planning
Matt Thompson, Secretary - Splash Omnimedia
Tom Moses, Legal Counsel - Southeast IP Group
Edgar Alewine, Past-Char - Jim Hudson Automotive Group
Harris Eckstrom - Carolina Business Equipment
Tommy Miles
Tom Moore - Edgewater Sports Marketing
SPARK AWARD SPONSOR: LOVE PLUMBINIG AIR & ELECTRICAL
Sponsors for the event were: Caro-Smart Financial Solutions, Charleston Animal Society, Coastal Financial Planning Group, Deserved Comfort House Cleaning, DOOR TO DOOR FLOORS, Jim Hudson Automotive Group, Splash Omnimedia, and Terratec
Thank you to the businesses who were nominated for the Spark Award:
Dirty Chimney, LLC
Girl Go Hustle, LLC
Janet Accounting LLC
Lactation Station & More
New Life Financial, LLC
Oceanview Heating and Air Conditioning Repair
Our Town Magazine
Palmetto State Exteriors
Peak Exteriors, LLC
Springdale Cleaning Services
Wright Security Camera Services, LLC
Thank you to all businesses who waree nominated for the Business of the Year Torch Award:
Large Business Category
Finkel Law Firm, LLC
Galeana Automotive Group
Great Southern Homes
Holy City Heating & Air, LLC
Midlands Landscape & Lawn
Palmetto State Armory
Medium Business Category
Booze Pops
CIS Patrol Services, LLC
Crosby Roofing Columbia
Daniel Wealth Management
Dorchester Paws
Gymnastics Academy of Charleston
International Construction Services, Inc.
Mt. Pleasant Auto Service Center
South Crescent Construction
Stewart Law Offices
Synergy Spray Foam & HVAC
Timmy Hayes Moving
Zenergy Games and Collectables
Small Business Category
ACE Mobile Detailing of Mt Pleasant
Better Health Vending
BioTek Environmental, Inc.
Carolina Ceilings & Wall Repair Specialist
Carolina Elegance
Clarrisa's Kitchen and Catering LLC
Columbia Pet Cremation Center, LLC
Cook Design Studio, Inc.
Cosmic Lighting & Ponds
DOOR TO DOOR FLOORS, INC.
Fabulous Business Solutions
Five Star Painting of Charleston
Gives on the Go Notary & Realty Services, LLC
Homeworks Studios
I Motivate Learning, LLC
Javis Financial Services
Kitchen Tune Up
Luxurious Dog Spa and Salon
Minute Man Movers
Old Charleston Painting Company
Palmetto Freight Carriers, LLC
Peoples Choice Plumbing
Port City Gutter Company
Preserve Pools, LLC
Real Property Management Midlands
Simply Yours Interiors
Sweeping Swans
Sweet Comfort Services, LLC
Whitmore Accounting Services
Willie Keitt And Sons, LLC