Cary Chamber Rewards 7 Small Businesses

Cary, NC — On Thursday, May 14, 2015, at the Embassy Suites hotel, the Cary Chamber of Commerce recognized seven local businesses at their annual excellence awards luncheon.

Excellence Awards Luncheon

The Embassy Suites ballroom was packed with Cary Chamber members, board members, sponsors and local businesses at noon on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

Attendees enjoyed lunch and dessert during opening remarks by David Booth (Cary Chamber Chair), Jack Smith (Mayor Pro Tem), Howard Johnson (Cary Chamber President) and Keith Bliss of Bliss Real Estate (last year’s Innovation Award winner), among other speakers.

It’s no surprise that Cary has a large selection of small businesses that are both successful and community-focused. Still, spirits were high as Booth named a great list of the excellence awards nominees. Following the announcement of nominees, the awards presentation began.

Seven Winners

The winners of the Cary Chamber excellence awards included:

• KinderVillage Music Studio – Innovation Award
• CaryCitizen – Community Service Award
• McDonald’s (the Richards advantage) – Green Sustainability Award
• Doctor’s Express Urgent Care – Employer of the Year
• Green Hope High School – Entrepreneurial Award in Education
• Cary Family YMCA – Charitable Partners Award
• Nirvelli Day Spa – Small Business of the Year

About the Winners

Wonderful remarks were said about all the winners.

KinderVillage, the winner of the Innovation Award, has put in place a new, customer-focused payment plan that has helped their business thrive substantially, while two LEED McDonald’s that rest in Cary utilize car charging stations, natural lighting, energy efficient appliances, fry oil recycling and more to create a positive environmental impact.

Doctor’s Express Urgent Care was recognized for their hardworking, close-knit team of staff who strive to provide the best care possible to all patients. Similarly, Nirvelli Day Spa was awarded for their commitment to caring for their employees and patients.

Green Hope High School started an impressive “coffee delivery business” within the school to give occupational course of study students real experience in starting a small business, learning the importance of customer service, maintaining finances and working together.

The Cary Family YMCA helps area children and families through their affordable after-school tutorial programs, which were made possible by money raised by volunteers.

Many other special schools, charitable organizations and example-setting businesses were named as nominees and were recognized for their contributions as well.

CaryCitizen Wins Community Service Award

CaryCitizen is excited to have been recognized for our contributions to the community.

Our staff’s representation on various town advisory boards, active volunteer work in the Chamber of Commerce and in the Heart of Cary Association and participation in various town events was recognized with the Cary Chamber’s Community Service Award. Lindsey Chester, CaryCitizen’s CFO and the lead driver of our business’s work in the community, said:

We love being part of Cary, and we think it’s such a great place to live, work and do business. It’s an honor to win this award, but it’s also an honor to serve this great town that we call home.

Thank You to the Chamber & Sponsors

Although seven businesses were awarded trophies at the luncheon, the event was truly a celebration of all Cary businesses working together to make a great community. Many thanks to the Cary Chamber and to the sponsors who made this recognition possible.

Lindsey Chester shows off our new Community Service Award.

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Story by Jessica Patrick. Photos from the Cary Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.