Taking risks, a commitment to excellence and customer service has paid off for the winners of the 2017 P.W Enns Business Awards.
"It was such a hard decision because we really had some excellent nominations," Winkler Chamber of Commerce President Cori da Costa says. "We have so many excellent business owners in Winkler and we have so much growth and wonderful things happening."
She notes it's important to champion innovation and new ideas, "people are watching everyday to see what your service is like and what your services are."
Peter Loewen of Country Cycle and Ski will take home the award for Customer Service.
"I was glad it was that one, because that's something both Jason and myself are very aware of," Loewen says.
He notes their guiding principle is "even when it gets busy, you want to recognize a person has walked through the door... to me that's huge," adding it's important to make a personal connection with people.
On April 20, Tomm Penner of Dominion Outdoors will walk the stage to accept Business Builder for Under 10 Employees.
"I feel very honoured... overwhelmingly grateful... usually people don't see the work you put in behind the scenes over the years, but six years after we opened it's a great feeling," Penner says.
Dominion Outdoors began with a 220 sq. ft. store and has grown to its own 3800 sq. ft. location.
He credits that growth to excellent customers, "without them we couldn't have done this... I'll be up there accepting the award, but really it's on behalf of excellent employees, customers and others who have joined me in business."
For Penner, a business builder is someone who runs with a dream.
"We have a banner in the store, "many dream, few do" to me building a business is not only dreaming but doing, that's the hard part."
Penner Waste will take home the Business Builder Award in the 10 or more employee category.
Owners Jake and Barb Penner say their success is thanks to the support of the community and the passion of their 40 employees.
Jake notes growing a company also comes with taking risks.
"You have to be willing to take risks," Jake says, including acquiring and merging with Pembina Valley Containers.
"The two together just made sense, it was a perfect blend for us to merge and work on the same issues," he says.
As a leader in the industry, Barb says they are receiving international recognition.
"Companies coming to us looking advice and our expertise on how they can become greener," she says.
Taking home the Business Excellence in 2017 is Winkler Coop.
Operations Manager Evan Toews says they are proud to be an employer of choice and be a supporter of the community.
"If the community is successful we are going to be successful," he says, adding the company has continued to grow its clothing and food store departments, as well as Coop@Home.
He notes the most deserving of the award is their frontline staff.
"We try to give our best service and best products to our customers at all times," he says. "We do slip up from time to time, but give us a chance to make it right, that's what we're here for, the people."
"We're a different kind of business in many aspects and we believe it shows," Toews says. "And we want to continue that."
The 2017 P.W Enns Business Awards Gala takes place April 20.
The event's keynote speaker is David Chilton, well-known author of 'The Wealthy Barber'.
Wed, Apr 24, 4:00 PM
Skilled Trades, Full-time
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