In 1986 Commerce Lexington, then known as the Chamber of Commerce, began a yearly tradition of honoring small-business owners. Until 2010 those honorees were the independent professional of the year, the minority business and small business of the year. In 2010 Commerce Lexington broadened the categories. The 30th annual Salute to Small Business Awards presentation Aug. 28 recognized six category winners. (Smiley Pete Publishing, the parent company of Business Lexington, is a member of Commerce Lexington.)
Business Success
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
www.hiexpress.com/lexingtonky
Owner Manish Patel knows that customer service starts internally.
“We have a strong team,” he said. “We have a recognition program inside the hotel that makes each of our employees feel very valuable. We don’t have a GM or sales manager or VP of housekeeping; if you’re cleaning or on the front desk, it doesn’t matter what position you are, it is one playing field. When employees feel respected and appreciated, they will become more productive, more loyal and more engaged.
“For our guests that walk in every day, how do you want to treat them? It’s up to us. We go over and beyond, to make each and every stay memorable for our guests.”
Minority Business
Integrated Engineering
www.int-engineering.com
Harsha Wijesiri, president of Integrated Engineering, gives credit for this award to his wife, Wendy Wijesiri, for her unconditional support of the business, and his two business partners, Eddie Mesta and David Moses, for their perseverance, and to the company’s dedicated staff .
“They work hard every day to provide our clients with design solutions to improve our society’s infrastructure for generations to come,” he said. “Whether it is a roadway, bridge, sidewalk, sanitary/storm sewer or parking lot, it is all important to improving our quality of life.
“Client/customer service is our No. 1 priority; without clients we have no business. Each day we strive to deliver cost-effective engineering solutions to our clients in a time-efficient manner.”
Nonprofit
Downtown Lexington Corporation
www.downtownlex.com
Winning this category was quite the honor for Renee Jackson, president of DLC, and her staff.
“We spent a lot of time on the application and took it very seriously,” she said. “We tried to highlight the work we do.”
Beyond producing events such as Thursday Night Live and the Fourth of July festival, DLC advocated for the Downtown Lexington Management District.
“Customer service is one of our primary focuses,” Jackson said. “When I am interviewing people to work here, the first question I ask is, ‘Do you know how to be nice to people?’ If they can’t answer, or laugh like I’m not serious, we know how that’s going to end. I don’t want people that can’t be nice.”
Young Entrepreneur
Toa Green, owner/operator of Crank &
Boom Craft Ice Cream
crankandboom.com
“Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I am so thrilled and humbled to receive this award,” said Crank & Boom owner Toa Green, who also owns Thai & Mighty Noodle Bowls. “Small business is what gives a community its character, and I’m proud to help contribute to making Lexington so special.”
As a business owner, customer service means everything to her. “It is the sole reason we open the doors: to serve others,” she said.
“In a sense of serving our customers, but also serving our community. We are fortunate to be able to bring delicious food to wonderful people every day. We love Lexington and being a part of its growing food scene.”
Green Initiative
CDP Engineers
www.cdpengineers.com
For company president David Carter, winning the Green Initiative award has been an affirmation that implementing sustainable solutions is good business.
“Over the last several years we have re-examined everything we do at CDP, internally and externally, looking for opportunities to implement sustainable practices,” he said. “As a result, we’ve made many changes — from the way we organize ourselves, the technology we use and the way we communicate, to the solutions we offer our customers.
“We are a service business and our success is directly related to the satisfaction of customers, so customer service is very important to us. Understanding and meeting our customers’ current and future needs, delivering on time and meeting budgets is always our goal.”
Legacy Award
Milward Funeral Directors
www.milwardfuneral.com
Founded in 1825, the Milward company is 40 years older than the University of Kentucky.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for 190 years of service to our community,” said Rob Milward, the company’s vice president and a sixth-generation member of the Milward family.
Fifth-generation Milward president Bob Milward has served on the board of directors for the chamber, as did his grandfather. “We have been privileged to serve the families of this community, while at the same time serving in leadership positions with many organizations through the years,” Bob Milward said. “We have always been big believers in Commerce Lexington and its importance to a vibrant and ethical business community.”
When it comes to customer service, Rob Milward believes their company’s reputation is something to live up to, not on. “We have always tried to stay focused on each family being the most important family we have ever served,” he said.
UPDATE FROM THE PRINT EDITION:
Integrated Engineering won the overall Small Business of the Year, according to Commerce Lexington.
- See more at: http://bizlex.com/2014/09/lm-communications-wins-business-success-award/2/#sthash.tdzKiyaB.dpuf