A Record Number of Small Businesses Nominated for The KOSBEs
November 05, 2019
Winner: 2017 New Business Excellence —C & C Restoration Inc.
Forty-Six to Vie for the Best in Small Business
KINGSPORT, Tenn., November 4, 2019 — The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) announced today that 46 businesses and 8 individuals have been nominated in the 25th Anniversary KOSBEs. Hailed as the longest running small business contest in the region, over 140 small businesses have been recognized for their individual company achievements, contributions to their communities, and local economic development since 1994.
The KOSBEs spotlight businesses across multiple categories including but not limited to Food, Retail, Service, Franchise, Veteran-Owned, Woman-Owned, Construction, Young Entrepreneur, Innovation and Manufacturing.
The nominees for the best in small business are:
- Duke & Fox, LLC
- Online Business Services by Allison R Lancaster
- Southern Roots Salon
- KT's Boutique
- AM Food Truck
- Daniele Elyse Photography
- Shipshape Solutions
- Mycroft Signs
- Frazier Ortho Labs
- Hannah Baise Fit
- Captain's Log Web Design
- Main Street Pizza Company
- TNT Sportsplex
- ARO Creative, Inc.
- Murphy's Automotive
- Flight Athletic Academy
- Kristen Clabaugh Photography
- East Tennessee Cheer and Gymnastics
- Express Oil Change
- Mimi Mae Boutique
- Advanced Physical Therapy of Kingsport
- Polish Nail Bar
- Manuel and McDavid Mowing
- Town and Country Realty (Jewell McKinney)
- Simple Elegance Tennessee
- Sisters Cravings
- Strategic Placement Group
- J Dog Junk Removal and Hauling Tri-Cities
- Action VFX
- Reedy Creek Bicycles
- Calling All Paws
- RE/MAX Checkmate Realtors, Inc. (Karissa Winstead)
- Rowan Tree Care
- Beyond Engagement
- Model City Roofing
- RCR Contracting
- Appalachian Maid Services
- Colonial Heights Dental Group
- Roan Capital Partners
- GSM Filtration
- Patterson Homes
- The Salt Oasis Kingsport
- JTB Construction
- Tri-Star Handyman Service
- EduCoach Tutoring, LLC
- Hunter, Smith & Davis, LLP
In addition, 8 individuals have been nominated for the Impact Award for their personal support of small business and entrepreneurship:
- Rodolphe Pierre-Loius – Action VFX
- Heather Cook – City of Kingsport
- Vanessa Bennett – Kingsport Chamber
- Heath Guinn — SyncSpace
- Valentina Escobar-Gonzalez – Beyond Engagement
- Jose Castillo – Spark Plaza
- Don Royston – Brown Edwards CPA
- Bob Feathers – Workspace Interiors
“Unlike other small business awards, this is not a popularity contest. The selected winners will be the companies that can demonstrate how they are setting the standard in their industry,”said KOSBE Chair-Elect Dustin Mohr of Martin Dentistry, also a former KOSBEs winner (2018). “It’s an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 46 entries we received this year.”
Next, an evaluation team consisting of five small business experts will conduct scheduled interviews with contenders. The interviews will last no more than 30 minutes – 15 minutes for the small business to present or “pitch” and 15 minutes for the evaluation team to ask questions and provide feedback.The winners will be announced and honored at a star-studded public event on Thursday, December 5th, 6 to 9 PM/EDT, at Meadowview Marriott in Kingsport. There they will have an opportunity to thank their friends, family, customers and employees that have made their success possible.
To wrap up the event, local legend Hal Carmack will be recognized at this year’s KOSBEs. Carmack will be honored with a special Hidden Gem award for his significant but quiet contributions including designing and building 26 of Pal’s distinctive hot-dog-shaped restaurants.
