The application process opens April 1 and the deadline to submit is Monday, June 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. An independent selection committee will select three finalists to be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards Ceremony on August 20, 2020 where the winner will be announced.
A volunteer committee will confidentially review and evaluate all submissions and choose the finalists from the information provided in the following areas: Business Growth, Operations and Impact; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Business Strategy; Customer Service and Market Strategy; and Community Involvement.
Criteria:
In business at least five years; Mobile Area Chamber member for three years
Have 100 or fewer employees
Solid financial base
Demonstrates sales growth/profit or unit growth/new product line/expanding number of employees/innovative initiatives
Evidence of good business practices
Community service contribution(s)
Be a privately-owned, for-profit entity (franchise companies are not eligible)
Headquartered in Mobile, Baldwin or Washington counties
Finalists:
Featured in the Business View magazine, on social media and on the Chamber lobby monitors.
Introduced at a Chamber Board of Directors meeting.
Are featured on the Chamber’s Small Business website landing page leading up to the awards ceremony.
All finalists will be nominated to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year competition and are strongly encouraged to apply.
Winner:
Recognized in the Business View magazine as the Small Business of the Year winner.
Featured on the Chamber’s Small Business website landing page banner throughout the year.
Announced and featured via social media.
Featured on the Chamber lobby monitors as the Small Business of the Year winner.
Application Process – Small Business of the Year:
Complete and submit the online application below. Provide additional documentation that supports your application, i.e. marketing materials, press clippings, photos, testimonials, etc.
You must provide two letters of reference: one from your attorney, business banker or accountant AND one from a customer/client or vendor.
You may attach them or send by mail to the Mobile Area Chamber, 451 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602, Attn. Small Business Department.
Deadline: June 1, 2020 by 5 p.m. For more information, contact Danette Richards at 251-431-8652.
Previous Finalists & Winners:
2019 Small Business of the Year
BCM Morring Co. Inc.
Finalists: Crow Shields Bailey PC and The Stewart Lodges
2018 Small Business of the Year
BlueFish
2017 Small Business of the Year
3 Echoes Production
2016 Small Business of the Year
B&B PetStop
2015 Small Business of the Year
McAleer’s Office Furniture