Salute to Small Business
Forcht Bank Presents 2018 Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon on Friday, September 7th
During the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank on Friday, September 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Lexington Downtown (369 W. Vine St.), we’ll recognize our community’s top small businesses in variety of categories and help celebrate the naming of a new Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year. After we learn a little more about each of our category winners, we’ll announce the Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year, which is selected from the category award winners. You’ll want to come early and network, as the award winners in each category will be on hand to show off their products and services. The cost to attend is $50 for Commerce Lexington members, $60 for potential members. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
During the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank on Friday, September 7, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Lexington Downtown (369 W. Vine St.), we’ll recognize our community’s top small businesses in variety of categories and help celebrate the naming of a new Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year. After we learn a little more about each of our category winners, we’ll announce the Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year, which is selected from the category award winners. You’ll want to come early and network, as the award winners in each category will be on hand to show off their products and services. The cost to attend is $50 for Commerce Lexington members, $60 for potential members. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
2018 Salute to Small Business Category Winners:
Business Success Award:
BACK Construction Co. Kyle Whalen, President 965 Contract Street, Lexington, 40505 Phone: (859) 225-2225 Web: www.BACKconstruction.com Formed in 1981 by partners Billy Knight, Alvin Edge, Chuck Ross and Kyle Whalen, BACK Construction provides home remodeling and repairs in the Lexington/Central Kentucky area. When it began, the business was focused primarily on residential framing and building horse barns. In its first 12 years, BACK Construction built over 100 homes ranging in size from starter homes to large custom homes. By 1994, with only two original partners left, the company started to focus on remodeling. In 2003, Whalen purchased the rights to the company from the last original partner. Longtime employee, Rob Hundley became a principal owner in the business. In its 37 years in business, BACK Construction has survived several economic downturns, the onslaught of additional competition, and the challenges of a labor shortage in the industry. In six of the last eight years, BACK has enjoyed double-digit growth, and last year was recognized in the top 50 at #31 by Remodeling Magazine. Today, BACK Construction is considered the premier remodeler in Central Kentucky. 
Legacy Award:
Avant Travel Agency, Inc. Co-Owners Sharon Betts, Melonie Graves, and Darlene Silvestri 111 Woodland Ave., Suite 110, Lexington, 40502 Phone: (859) 233-0000 Web: www.avanttravel.com Founded in 1987, Avant Travel Agency, Inc. has been providing comprehensive travel services to both corporate and leisure travelers for more than 30 years. Started by Sharon Betts, Melonie Graves, Connie Hyde, and Darlene Silvestri, Avant began as a small, yet full-service travel agency, focusing on the needs of corporate and business travelers. Today, Avant is the only locally-owned, continuously operating travel agency in the Lexington market and serves customers from two brick-and-mortar office locations in Lexington. Over the years, the agency has adapted to changes in the industry and is now recognized as a leading resource for the planning of high-end luxury and adventure travel. Avant’s staff is comprised of seasoned travel professionals who know the business inside and out, utilizing a team approach that capitalizes on its collective resources and extensive travel experiences. |
Green Initiative Award:
GreenBox Heating & Air, Plumbing, Remodeling Gwen Riley, President & Founder 1060 W. High St., Suite 120, Lexington, 40508 Phone: (859) 278-0281 Web: www.greenboxair.com GreenBox Heating & Air was founded in 2010 by Gwen Riley. After being in the industry for eight years, Gwen felt called to serve the HVAC industry differently. She wanted to offer great service at a fair price. In particular, she wanted women to feel they had someone they could trust for home solution needs. She wanted to create a company that offered peace of mind for all home owners when it came to home repairs. Specializing in heating, cooling, air quality, plumbing, and remodeling, GreenBox simplifies new system installation, retrofit projects, seasonal maintenance, and repair. GreenBox began with just two technicians, but today averages 60 employees and has acquired four additional HVAC companies. The business offers upfront pricing for customers and always guarantees its work. GreenBox recently expanded into a 38,000-square foot historic building in Lexington that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility with energy efficient upgrades, locally sourced natural materials, and advanced automation technology. 
Minority Business Award:
Posh Salon & Spa Amael Shalash, Owner 2573 Richmond Rd., Ste. 240, Lexington, 40509 Phone: (859) 269-7674 Web: www.PoshSalonandSpa.com Established in 2002, Posh Salon and Spa is the largest operating salon and day spa in the state of Kentucky. As a Redken Elite Salon, the staff at Posh is educated and trained by national Redken artists. Its team now has five Redken color certified artists and three Redken design certified artists. Posh offers services from head-to-toe, including pedicures, manicures, full body waxing, massages, hair color and styling, and much more. After 22 years of experience in the medical field, Dr. Amael Shalash purchased Posh Salon and Spa about five years ago, and since then, the business has experienced strong growth both in its workforce and annual revenue. In early 2016, Posh completed a full salon makeover and upgrade to create a more modern look and feel. Today, the salon offers 25 full running stations, five manicure stations, five pedicure stations, three massage rooms, four facial/waxing rooms, and a microblading room. |
Nonprofit Award:
Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Lexington
Mary Cobb, Lexington Office Director
1710 Alexandria Dr., Suite 2, Lexington, 40504
Phone: (859) 226-5661
Web: www.kyrm.org
Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Lexington (KRM) is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith-based and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into the community. KRM has been operational in Lexington since 1998, and in the last five years has resettled more than 1,800 refugees in the area, including nationalities such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bhutan, Iraq, Syria, Cuba, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Rwanda. Comprehensive services to refugees include ESL and cultural orientation, employment, family and youth support, health and wellness, immigration and naturalization, and language interpretation and translation. KRM’s local success is due in large part to community involvement and support, and measured by the many refugees who have become self-sufficient.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Lexington
Mary Cobb, Lexington Office Director
1710 Alexandria Dr., Suite 2, Lexington, 40504
Phone: (859) 226-5661
Web: www.kyrm.org
Kentucky Refugee Ministries - Lexington (KRM) is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith-based and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into the community. KRM has been operational in Lexington since 1998, and in the last five years has resettled more than 1,800 refugees in the area, including nationalities such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bhutan, Iraq, Syria, Cuba, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Rwanda. Comprehensive services to refugees include ESL and cultural orientation, employment, family and youth support, health and wellness, immigration and naturalization, and language interpretation and translation. KRM’s local success is due in large part to community involvement and support, and measured by the many refugees who have become self-sufficient.
PRESENTED BY:
Forcht Bank
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
Community Trust Bank
A TOAST TO THE WINNERS HOST:
Barney Miller's Inc.
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader/Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Windstream Communications
SILVER SPONSORS:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Cumberland Valley National Bank
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications Broadcast Media Group
MCM CPAs & Advisors
Republic Bank & Trust Company
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
WUKY 91.3 FM
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSORS:
Hurst Office Suppliers, Inc.
Precision Duplicating Solutions
INVITATION, PROGRAM & SIGNAGE SPONSOR
Stablemate Creative LLC
PRINT SPONSOR:
LYNN Imaging/Monster Color
Forcht Bank
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
Community Trust Bank
A TOAST TO THE WINNERS HOST:
Barney Miller's Inc.
GOLD SPONSORS:
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader/Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Windstream Communications
SILVER SPONSORS:
Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Cumberland Valley National Bank
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications Broadcast Media Group
MCM CPAs & Advisors
Republic Bank & Trust Company
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
WUKY 91.3 FM
SMALL BUSINESS SPONSORS:
Hurst Office Suppliers, Inc.
Precision Duplicating Solutions
INVITATION, PROGRAM & SIGNAGE SPONSOR
Stablemate Creative LLC
PRINT SPONSOR:
LYNN Imaging/Monster Color
2017 Salute to Small Business Recap:
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Omni Architects Named 2017 Commerce Lexington Inc. Small Business of the Year
[August 24, 2017] - At the Commerce Lexington Inc. Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon at Keeneland presented by Forcht Bank, Omni Architects was named the 2017 Small Business of the Year. The recipient of this year’s Legacy Award, Omni Architects was chosen for the honor from eight different category winners. The company now has the opportunity to be considered for state and national recognition through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Co-founded by Sam Halley and Joe Williams, Omni Architects is one of Central Kentucky’s oldest and most accomplished architectural firms. Since 1975, Omni has been designing buildings that respond to its clients’ needs and aspirations, while enhancing the lives of the people who use them. The firm has crafted thoughtful designs that elevate the missions of its clients in the markets they serve.
Over the course of 42 years, Omni has been involved in over 900 projects totaling over one billion dollars in construction, which can be found throughout Central Kentucky. Its projects have earned more awards for design excellence from AIA Kentucky than any other firm in the state. It was also the first architectural firm to be honored twice as AIA Kentucky’s Firm of the Year.
Commerce Lexington Inc. began its small business awards program in 1986, recognizing 89 outstanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations since its inception. In 2010, the awards program was expanded from three categories to eight categories. This year’s award winners together have 165 years of service to our community.
[August 24, 2017] - At the Commerce Lexington Inc. Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon at Keeneland presented by Forcht Bank, Omni Architects was named the 2017 Small Business of the Year. The recipient of this year’s Legacy Award, Omni Architects was chosen for the honor from eight different category winners. The company now has the opportunity to be considered for state and national recognition through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Co-founded by Sam Halley and Joe Williams, Omni Architects is one of Central Kentucky’s oldest and most accomplished architectural firms. Since 1975, Omni has been designing buildings that respond to its clients’ needs and aspirations, while enhancing the lives of the people who use them. The firm has crafted thoughtful designs that elevate the missions of its clients in the markets they serve.
Over the course of 42 years, Omni has been involved in over 900 projects totaling over one billion dollars in construction, which can be found throughout Central Kentucky. Its projects have earned more awards for design excellence from AIA Kentucky than any other firm in the state. It was also the first architectural firm to be honored twice as AIA Kentucky’s Firm of the Year.
Commerce Lexington Inc. began its small business awards program in 1986, recognizing 89 outstanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations since its inception. In 2010, the awards program was expanded from three categories to eight categories. This year’s award winners together have 165 years of service to our community.
2017 Salute to Small Business Category Winners:
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Business Success Award:
GreenBox Gwen Riley, President 2430 Palumbo Dr., Suite 140, Lexington, 40509 Phone: (859) 278-0281 www.greenboxair.com GreenBox was founded in 2010 by Gwen Riley. Specializing in heating, cooling, air quality, plumbing, and remodeling, GreenBox simplifies new system installation, retrofit projects, seasonal maintenance, and repair. By combining a full range of residential and commercial services, the business offers a one-stop shop, answering the many challenges of running a smooth household and successful business. When GreenBox began in 2010, it had Gwen Riley and two technicians as part of its team. Today, it has grown to average 60 employees with 14,000 customers and become the largest Bryant dealer in the state. Over the years, GreenBox has acquired four additional HVAC companies. Legacy Award:
Omni Architects Michael W. Jacobs, FAIA, President 212 N. Upper Street, Suite 200, Lex., 40507 Phone: (859) 252-6664 www.omniarchitects.com Since 1975, Omni Architects has been designing buildings that respond to its clients’ needs and aspirations, while enhancing the lives of the people who use them. Omni has crafted thoughtful designs that elevate the missions of our clients in the markets they serve, including higher education, healthcare, worship, civic, workplace, and P-12. Over the course of 42 years, the firm has been involved in over 900 projects totaling over one billion dollars in construction, which can be found throughout Central Kentucky. Omni’s commitment to service and giving back to the community can be traced back to its beginning when founding partner Sam Halley ensured that “service to mankind” was at the core of the business. Minority Business Award:
Synergy Coach Larry Jackson, Owner/Operator 1555 Georgetown Road, Lexington, KY 40511 Phone: (859) 421-2250 http://synergycoach.co/ Led by owner Larry Jackson, Synergy Coach is a wellness incubator that focuses on individualized program design for health seekers, business development for entrepreneurs in wellness, and coaching coaches who are growing their clientele in the areas of health and wellness. Its mission is to become the ultimate guide to resolving pain, preventing injury, and optimizing tactical and athletic performance. Synergy Coach services over 50 clients and has worked with a bulk of its clients on average for five years. The business is different than other fitness operations by giving clients a road map to their results and helping them understand the impact of the choices they make through its Synergy Coach Solution program. Phoenix Award:
Lexington History Museum Foster Ockerman, Jr., President & Chief Historian P.O. Box 748, Lexington, KY 40588 Phone: (859) 721-5678 www.LexHistory.org The core mission of the Lexington History Museum is to preserve, protect and present the history of Lexington and Fayette County to all persons of every age through all media. The organization was founded in 1998 at the request of then Mayor Pam Miller. The museum itself was located in the old Fayette County Courthouse until 2011 when it was forced to evacuate due to the discovery of lead paint dust and mold. This sent the organization into disarray and after five years of bare existence, it has been revived and experienced considerable success with new offices, new exhibits and website, and a 3D Virtual Reality Museum. Work is now underway to reinventory and reassess the collections, and donors are beginning to return. |
Green Initiative Award:
Bullhorn Creative Brad Flowers & Griffin VanMeter, Co-Founders 109 E. Loudon Avenue, Lexington, 40505 Phone: (859) 258-2244 www.bullhorncreative.com Bullhorn is a branding agency that builds confident brands with language and design. It was started in the fall of 2008 with no clients and little experience by Brad Flowers and Griffin VanMeter. In 2010, they hired a project manager and a designer, and later a web developer, videographer, and the company’s first salespeople. Its clients range from local nonprofits and businesses to national and even international companies. The staff at Bullhorn takes pride in its culture and has built the business around values that every employee embraces - empathy and honesty, dissatisfaction and improvement, and creativity and decisiveness. Over the years, Bullhorn came to understand the intersection of what it was good at, what they loved doing, and what was profitable. Today, they are known as a branding company, helping clients with their identity design and language. Innovation Award:
Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass Lynn Hudgins, President 2420 Spurr Road, #150, Lexington, KY 40511 Phone: (859) 219-2423 www.jalexington.org Locally, JA of the Bluegrass was incorporated in 1963 when a group of entrepreneurs, including Warren Rosenthal, W.T. Young Sr., O.A. Bakhaus and Alex Campbell, saw the need for this program in our local schools. Today, JA of the Bluegrass plays an active role in 107 schools throughout Fayette and the surrounding counties utilizing 945 volunteers. For 2016-2017, this translates into 22,837 students in 922 classrooms. In early 2012, the JA board voted to embark on the process of building a JA BizTown/JA Finance Park, a game-changer for students in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Following approval from JA USA, a capital campaign, and the commitment of a building from FCPS, JA BizTown welcomed its first students in January 2017. Nonprofit Award:
Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass Winn Stephens, Executive Director 162 N. Ashland Avenue, Lexington, 40502 Phone: (859) 514-1566 www.kykids.org The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Bluegrass works to reduce the trauma experienced by sexually abused children by providing services to them in a nurturing, friendly and safe environment. The organization was created in 1991, following a review of the way child sexual abuse cases were being handled in Fayette County, and the Center opened its doors in 1994. In 1999, the CAC created a training program for physicians and medical providers, which also provided support for providers in Appalachia Kentucky. During the last fiscal year, the CAC conducted over 670 forensic interviews, and is on pace to top 800 interviews in the current year. The Center continues to improve its facilities and programs in order to meet the needs of child victims of abuse. Young Entrepreneur Award:
Impressions Marketing & Events Laura McDonald, President 108 Lee Dr., Georgetown, 40324 Phone: (502) 316-0347 www.beveryimpressed.com While Impressions Marketing & Events officially incorporated in 2010, it wasn’t until October 2012 that Laura McDonald began devoting time to build the business. The main goal of the business is to help nonprofit and small business clients make a lasting impression on their audiences through marketing and events. The Impressions team works with clients on specific projects to help them meet goals, and often supplements the internal marketing team at organizations on an ongoing basis. This helps nonprofits access support in a more cost effective way. During its nearly five years in business, Impressions Marketing & Events has seen consistent growth, with plans to increase employees and contractors on the team within the next year. |
