Business Leaders Enter Wonderland For Packed Awards Ceremony
HALIFAX–It was a night that was two years in the making, but the celebration, smiles, and happy tears made the wait worthwhile.
On April 1, hundreds of business leaders gathered at the Halifax Convention Centre for the 2022 Halifax Business Awards, organized by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. It was the first in-person award show for the Chamber since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The Convention Centre was decorated in a way that, fittingly, felt like stepping into a different reality. That’s because “Alice in Wonderland” was the chosen theme.
The level of excitement for the opportunity to gather again was electric. The city’s entrepreneurs used the night not only to celebrate their wins but to also celebrate what the business community has accomplished.
“Halifax is an incredibly intoxicating place to be doing business right now,” said Kathleen Jay, SVP of Maplewave, who won business leader of the year. “We’ve become the cool kid in the country where everybody wants to flock.”
“Our lifelong secret is finally out: life is outstanding here.”
The award ceremony showed the diversity of Halifax entrepreneurs. Throughout the night, the list of winners and finalists was filled with people from varying backgrounds and ages. One finalist for the New Business category, the founder of Taya Ties, is just 12.
There were moments that highlighted the message that it’s okay to be different and still have business success. The most emotional moment came from Tiffani Young, founder of Natural Butter Bar. She created her hair-care business specifically because it was hard for Black people to find products designed for their hair types.
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As a child she begged her mom to “relax” her hair so she could fit in more with her White classmates. But on Friday she stepped onto the stage with a much different attitude.
“This is for all the young Black girls and Black boys who never felt like they were enough, who felt like they needed to change, whether it’s their hair or who they are,” said Young, fighting back tears.
The unofficial victors of the night were the restaurant and pubs in Halifax. Some of the award winners used their platform, and their speeches, to encourage support for the eateries that struggled through two years of Covid-19.
Paul Empey, the CEO of Precision Biologic (the company that won Business of the Year) said restaurant owners and workers went through “hell.” Now is the time for successful businesses to treat their employees while supporting the economy.
“Take your employees out to lunch; take them out to dinner, have some off-site meetings, get the meals and start taking care of these people,” he said.
Upon Delectable Desserts winning Small Business of the Year, Dennis Mbeba (who co-owns the business with his wife Melissa) gave a specific shoutout to one of his favourite pubs.
“I’ve got a customer I want to thank-thanks to Pilot’s Pub. That place is a rock star, it’s a place you all need to go. Run by women, and they’re rocking.”
After coming back on stage, Halifax Chamber President Patrick Sullivan replied: “This is not an audience you have to tell to go to a pub twice.”
The production of the award show was an economic stimulator in and of itself. The chamber used local creative businesses for the Alice-themed videos, animation, costumes, and décor. Brooke Rivers (Kevin Lemieux) played the role of Alice in the pre-recorded videos.
The Alice in Wonderland Theme was actually chosen prior to the pandemic, but the timing in 2022 turned out to be a perfect coincidence.
“The metaphors worked out perfectly – falling down the rabbit hole, choosing paths that disappeared as you walked on them, and finding light in the darkness,” reads a statement from the Halifax Chamber. “People seemed to really connect with the theme after two years in the unknown.”
The complete list of finalists and winners follows:
New Business of the Year
Winner: Natural Butter Bar
Finalists:
- Eunoia Lifestyle Shop Inc.;
- Jo to the Web Solutions;
- Taya Ties;
- The Highlander Spa.
Innovative Business of the Year
Winner: CarbonCure Technologies
Finalists:
- CacheFlo;
- Clean Valley CIC;
- Side Door;
- Smarter Spaces.
Small Business of the Year
Winner: Delectable Desserts Inc.
Finalists:
- Couryah Inc.;
- Lumi Studios Media;
- Red Ear Media;
- Temi Bakes.
Not-For-Profit Business of the Year
Winner: Kids Help Phone
Finalists:
- Alice House;
- Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia;
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic;
- St. John Ambulance.
Export Business of the Year
Winner: Focal Research Consultants
Finalists:
- Admiral;
- AquaClean;
- CGI;
- Smart Income.
Business of the Year
Winner: Precision BioLogic
Finalists:
- Morris East Restaurant + Wine Bar;
- Parkwood Home Care;
- The Village Veterinary Group;
- WLWP Wealth Planners | iA Private Wealth.
Business Leader of the Year
Winner: Kathleen Jay – Maplewave
Finalists:
- Ann-Marie Flinn – Champion Foundational Change Agency;
- Rebecca Cable-Munroe – Admiral;
- Paul Empey – Precision BioLogic;
- Tia Upshaw – Top Notch Cleaners & Blk Women in Excellence Society.