Salute to Small Business
PRESENTED BY:
2022 Award Applications Available Now
Commerce Lexington Inc. began honoring the contributions that small businesses have on our economy in 1986, and since that very first Salute to Small Business event, the impact of small businesses on the global economy has become greater than ever before. The 2022 Salute to Small Business Awards application is available ON-LINE, with completed applications due by Monday, July 11, 2022.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
There are four award categories from which to choose, including three for small businesses and one for area nonprofits.
ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS:
AWARD CATEGORIES:
There are four award categories from which to choose, including three for small businesses and one for area nonprofits.
- Business Success Award
- Entrepreneur Award
- Minority Business Award
- Nonprofit Community Impact Award (*Not eligible for overall Small Business of the Year Award)
ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS:
- Businesses must be active members of Commerce Lexington Inc.
- Businesses must have completed three (3) or more full years of operation in the local market with fewer than 150 employees.
- Small businesses can apply for ONE award category.
- Past Category and overall Small Business of the Year award recipients are not eligible to reapply for 5 years from the date of their award presentation.
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Community Trust Bank
Equity Solutions Group
GOLD SPONSORS
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
Community Trust Bank
Equity Solutions Group
GOLD SPONSORS
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
TravelHost of the Bluegrass
SILVER SPONSORS:
Bankers Title of Central Kentucky
Energy Insurance Agency, Inc.
MCM CPAs & Advisors
WUKY 91.3FM
INVITATION & PROGRAM PRINT SPONSOR:
Lynn Imaging/MONSTER Color
INVITATION, PROGRAM & SIGNAGE DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC
Bankers Title of Central Kentucky
Energy Insurance Agency, Inc.
MCM CPAs & Advisors
WUKY 91.3FM
INVITATION & PROGRAM PRINT SPONSOR:
Lynn Imaging/MONSTER Color
INVITATION, PROGRAM & SIGNAGE DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC
Photos by Shelly Petty, Mahan Multimedia.
Crank & Boom Named 2021 Small Business of the Year
At the Commerce Lexington Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank, Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream was named the 2021 Small Business of the Year. The recipient of this year’s award in the Business Success Category, Crank & Boom was chosen for the honor from three different category winners. The week-long celebration featured webinars, Facebook Live segments, and videos of the category winners.
Crank and Boom Craft Ice Cream was born from an idea to offer coconut ice cream as a dessert option at Toa Green’s family restaurant, Thai Orchid Café. As more ice cream flavors were added to the menu and people began coming to the restaurant just for the ice cream, Toa and her husband Mike realized they had something special and launched Crank and Boom in 2013. From there, Crank and Boom ice cream was served at 200-plus events across Central Kentucky, such as weddings, local festivals, and corporate outings, and by 2015, the Crank and Boom Ice Cream Lounge opened in the Distillery District.
Commerce Lexington Board Chair Ray Daniels (Equity Solutions Group), said, “Commerce Lexington’s Salute to Small Business enables us to say thank you and recognize many hardworking businesses and organizations. This past year and a half have been difficult for all businesses, but even more so for our small businesses. Despite the adversity, they have been innovative and adapted to the changing economic landscape, continuing to provide great products and services to the community. Since 1986, Commerce Lexington has recognized 106 outstanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations, and we are very proud to honor these exceptional 2021 category award winners.”
Crank and Boom Craft Ice Cream was born from an idea to offer coconut ice cream as a dessert option at Toa Green’s family restaurant, Thai Orchid Café. As more ice cream flavors were added to the menu and people began coming to the restaurant just for the ice cream, Toa and her husband Mike realized they had something special and launched Crank and Boom in 2013. From there, Crank and Boom ice cream was served at 200-plus events across Central Kentucky, such as weddings, local festivals, and corporate outings, and by 2015, the Crank and Boom Ice Cream Lounge opened in the Distillery District.
Commerce Lexington Board Chair Ray Daniels (Equity Solutions Group), said, “Commerce Lexington’s Salute to Small Business enables us to say thank you and recognize many hardworking businesses and organizations. This past year and a half have been difficult for all businesses, but even more so for our small businesses. Despite the adversity, they have been innovative and adapted to the changing economic landscape, continuing to provide great products and services to the community. Since 1986, Commerce Lexington has recognized 106 outstanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations, and we are very proud to honor these exceptional 2021 category award winners.”
