ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) hosted its 22nd annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Tuesday in St. John’s.
The event celebrates women in business in Newfoundland and Labrador, and seven business owners were honoured for the positive impacts they’ve made in the province.
Michelle Melendy, CEO of Western Group of Companies in Corner Brook, won the pinnacle Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, sponsored by RBC Royal Bank.
Western Group of Companies is a family-owned business and consists of automotive dealerships, an autobody repair shop, a recreational dealership, and a commercial glass, door, fabrication and installation company.
“We believe strongly in the importance of team development as our competitive advantage and invest in it,” Melendy said. “The engagement of our employees is crucial for our success.”
Brittany Stanley, owner of Spotlight Events in Bay Bulls, took home the Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by College of the North Atlantic. This award recognizes an entrepreneur, 35 years of age or younger, that has owned and operated a profitable business for at least two years. Spotlight Events is a full-service wedding and event décor and planning company.
“The final piece of the puzzle will be to someday own my very own wedding venue, where I can host weddings and the wedding show,” Stanley said. “I want to grow in this industry, learn new things and amaze people every chance I get.”
Tammy Wrice-Paetkau and Michelle Penney Rowe, co-owners of Studio Coffee and Ocean View Gallery in Carbonear, took home the Economic Impact Award, sponsored by Hebron Project. This award recognizes an entrepreneur whose business has significantly impacted the local economy.
“We believe in offering the best of ourselves to our community,” says Penney Rowe. “We are deeply rooted in this town and love to share our hospitality.”
Jacqui Winter, owner of HR Project Partners in St. John’s, took home the Momentum Award, sponsored by Husky Energy West White Rose Project. This award recognizes an entrepreneur who has demonstrated significant growth and/or growth potential within a one- to three-year time span.
“I believe that the quality of service, our honesty and genuine approach, and attitude has helped us to grow,” Winter said. “Living and working our values every day and holding true to those values and keeping a high standard of service is what has helped us to grow and become a successful and respected HR service provider.”
Karen Dewling, co-owner of East Coast Glow Inc. in Bonavista, took home the Trendsetter Award, sponsored by NLOWE. This award recognizes an entrepreneur whose successful business employs innovation and original thinking in both its operational and promotional activities. East Coast Glow is a creative iceberg water cosmetics studio and manufacturing facility.
“An innate curiosity for nature is what drives my innovative ideas for developing modern, effective formulas that create connections between us and the wild,” Dewling said. “The earth will always provide for me the very best ingredients, and the product line was designed to capture the essence of the wild that surrounds us and inspires every product that we create.”
Linda Yates, co-owner of King’s Point Pottery in King’s Point, took home the Trailblazer Award, sponsored by Cox & Palmer. This award recognizes an entrepreneur who owns and operates a business that has excelled in a non-traditional industry for women-owned. King’s Point Pottery first opened in 1992 as a small pottery studio and retail space, and 27 years later it has grown into a top shopping destination in the province.
“We pride ourselves on featuring world-class quality items,” Yates said. “We want to continue to move up the ladder and see that the rest of Canada discovers our world-class shopping right here in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The awards are supported by the federal government through ACOA and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.
