They may be small but they’re making waves.
The province’s best small businesses were honoured on Friday at the annual Successful You awards in Vancouver. Among those feted was Kamloops software technology company Western Industrial Solutions, which took home the award for best concept.
“Not only are we proud of the achievement, but we think it says a lot about small business in Kamloops,” said Christopher Mitra, Western Industrial Solutions director of business operations.
Western Industrial Solutions launched with three partners who break the traditional mould for entrepreneurs, said Mitra.
“The three of us, all over the age of 45, bring a combined 60-plus years of experience in the resource and IT industries.
“With great backgrounds, a strong desire to build a successful company and a winning idea, we left the security of a traditional office job and set out on our own.”
After months of development in their basements, the partners unveiled TaskSafe, which promises to bring greater efficiency and better safety awareness to a process that is often daunting and ineffective.
The software and hardware application is designed to help resource-based companies save time and money when completing their cumbersome field safety paperwork, said Mitra.
“It’s easy to use, built on first-hand experience and designed with the user in mind.”
The Successful You winners proved their excellence in six categories over 170 other B.C. businesses during the course of a five-month contest.
To be named among the best in B.C., the winners had to gain votes from the public to be shortlisted to the top 10 and submit an application detailing why they deserved to win.
Once selected as a top five finalist, they faced a panel of judges, pitching their cases as to why they should be named B.C.’s best.
The Successful You awards are supported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada and hosted annually by Small Business B.C., a resource centre that provides entrepreneurs information and guidance to build a solid foundation for their business.
“These awards shine a spotlight on the vitality and strength of B.C.’s small business community and celebrate the remarkable talents of its entrepreneurs,” says Bill Adams, vice-president, Western and Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “The winners have proven their excellence in an intense selection process.”
