Yorkton's business sector gathered in the city last Wednesday evening to pay tribute to the best of the best at a sold out Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Celebrate Success event.
Just over 80 nominations were received in 10 categories with the Business of the Year being named from all of the nominees.
This year two local businesses were awarded the top overall honor - RH Electric garnered the award for Large Business of the Year and Wagner's Flooring took home the award for Small Business of the Year.
"The overwhelming response from everybody has just been awesome," said emotional Randy Hrywkiw, owner RH Electric after receiving his award. "The response from the people of the community has just been great."
RH Electric was first born in 1983. A family owned and operated business it has grown over the years into the vibrant business it is today, serving all of Yorkton and area.
"It took a lot of courage," Hrywkiw says to get things off the ground. "We moved into Yorkton in 1983. I was on unemployment... I was looking for a job and facing reality. A person had to start up on their own because there wasn't anything to be had...
"Here we are 30 years later with the whole family involved. It's just phenomenal, there's really no words to explain it."
Coming into the province at a time when people were exiting in search of bigger and better, meant persistence and perseverance were crucial to surviving and expanding.
"They were hard times...," says Hrywkiw adding, the community lent great support, teaching the importance of giving back, something RH Electric does often.
Times are changing, the population is increasing but there are still challenges when it comes to being successful in the world of business. To would be entrepreneurs Hrywkiw says, "If they think they have what it takes... it's not an eight to five job, you have to be very committed to what you are doing and sacrifice a lot... if you can see your way through that, go for it.
"We've gone through some tough times, we're going through a really good time right now..." This is what potential business people need to understand as they travel the road to success.
Hrywkiw says he is humbled by the award he has received and he can't not say enough to express his thanks to Yorkton and area residents for all their support over the years.
Over 450 people were in attendance for the 2014 Celebrate Success Business Awards evening held at St. Mary's Cultural Centre.
The recipients of the Awards are as follows:
Diversity Leadership - Tim Hortons
Work & Family Balance - Fedorowich Construction
Community Merit - Yail Harbor; Yorkton Skateboard Park; Yorkton Sno-Riders
New Business Venture - Mr. Mike's Steakhouse Casual
Property Restoration - Logan Stevens
Community Involvement - Painted Hand Casino
Business Growth & Expansion - Royal Auto Group
Customer Service - Maple Communications
Young Entrepreneur - Dustin Nehring & Taylor Lang, NL Construction
Award of Excellence - Bailey's Funeral Home & Cremation Care; LR Future Insurance & Investments; Penguin Refrigeration
The Large and Small Business of the Year Awards were selected from all the nominations received. Receiving the Large Business of the Year Award was RH Electric while the Small Business of the Year Award went to Wagner's Flooring.
