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2021 Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon

During the Salute to Small Business Awards Luncheon presented by Forcht Bank on Friday, September 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Central Bank Center, we'll recognize the “Thoroughbreds” of our small business, community in a 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 four 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 at 11:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $59 for Commerce Lexington members, $69 for potential members.  

Register Here

PAST WINNERS

2021 Category Award Winners:

MINORITY BUSINESS AWARD:

Guide Realty
1591 Winchester Road, Suite 104
Lexington, KY 40505
859-263-0305
www.guide-realty.com
Started by Phyllis Alexander and Raquel Carter, Guide Realty opened its doors in January 2008 with a vision of a small, family-owned, boutique-style real estate office. Early challenges included The Great Recession with a real estate market marred by short sales, foreclosures and restrictive lending practices and later the loss of co-founder and principal broker, Phyllis Alexander, to cancer. In 2013, Raquel took on the role of principal broker, and Guide Realty transformed its vision to a thriving real estate company focused on clients and the community. Since 2014, the company has experienced consistent sales growth and expansion. Today, the company is comprised of Carter, a team of 25 realtors, plus three full-time and two part-time administrative staffers. Guide Realty also recently opened a newly-renovated, 5,000-square foot facility that contains a professional development and community engagement space called The Compass Center. 

BUSINESS SUCCESS AWARD:

Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream
1210 Manchester St.
Lexington, KY  40504
859-288-2176
www.crankandboom.com
Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream (C&B) is a premium ice cream maker in Lexington. What started as a simple dessert option in the back of Toa Green’s family restaurant, Thai Orchid Cafe, has since grown to a business with two scoop shops, 40-plus employees, nationwide shipping through Goldbelly, and recognition through national press including PEOPLE Magazine, the New York Times, and Cooking Channel. Crank & Boom’s mission is to Create Joy, Ignite Laughter, and Inspire Compassion.  This has been accomplished through various community giving programs like FEED Backpack program and the popular Small Batch Club program that has raised over $56,000 since 2020 for local organizations.  In addition to its location in the Distillery District, Crank and Boom recently relocated its second location from The Summit at Fritz Farm to a spot on Clays Mill Road in the Stonewall Shopping Center. 

ENTREPRENEUR AWARD:

Peer House, LLC
700 Fernwood Ct., Lexington, 40514
859-407-3131
https://peerhousecpa.com
Founded in 2016 by Ozlem Eva Davis, CPA, CFE, CFF, Peer House, LLC is an accounting and consulting firm located in Lexington and serving clients around the nation.  With services including bookkeeping, controllership, internal audits, budgeting, and CFO oversight to name a few, Peer House specializes in internal control improvements, peer-to-peer benchmarking, accounting consulting, and forensic accounting and litigation support. The business currently serves clients in 55 cities covering 29 states from diverse work sectors and varying industries, including nonprofit, technology, beverage distribution, construction, legal, and education. As Peer House began to grow, Davis hired her first part-time employee in January 2020 and currently has five employees, with plans to move from a home office environment to new office space this year.  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Peer House managed to sustain its client base and revenue growth. Over the years, the business has supported a variety of local organizations.

NONPROFIT AWARD:

Lexington Rescue Mission
444 Glen Arvin Ave., Lexington 40508
859-381-9600
https://lexingtonrescue.org
The Lexington Rescue Mission began in 2001 when Jim and Becky Connell started the ministry to the poor and homeless. On November 21, 2001, services started with a Thanksgiving banquet at Broadway Christian Church. The mission then opened its doors to anyone in need of food, clothing and financial assistance, and began offering Bible studies and chapel services for guests. Over the last 20 years, the mission has grown and changed to meet the needs of those who are hurting, including the addition of programs that help unemployed people learn workplace skills and get jobs, go inside jails and prisons to teach life skills to inmates, provide re-entry support to ex-offenders when they are released, and provide transitional housing for men and women.  The organization now has four facilities (The Outreach Center, The Potter's House, The House of Hope, and Grace Place), 25 full-time employees, 11 part-time staff and hundreds of volunteers.

PLATINUM SPONSOR
Community Trust Bank

GOLD SPONSORS
Central Bank & Trust Co.
H-L Media (Lexington Herald-Leader & Kentucky.com)
Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance
LM Communications

VIDEO SPONSOR:
WesBanco Bank

SILVER SPONSOR:
MCM CPAs & Advisors

SMALL BUSINESS SPONSOR:
BACK Construction

INVITATION & PROGRAM PRINT SPONSOR:
Lynn Imaging/Monster Color
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INVITATION, PROGRAM & SIGNAGE DESIGN SPONSOR:
Stablemate Creative LLC