Small Business Winners Announced for the 2012 Annual KOSBE Awards

Kingsport, TN, December 14, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) named the winners of the 18th Annual KOSBE Awards last night at the celebration ceremony held at the Club at Ridgefields, Kingsport.

The Winner of the Business Excellence Under 10 Employees award was Signature Properties. No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Business Excellence Over 10 Employees award was Comfort Keepers. Biggie’s Clam Bar was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the New Business award was The Bagel Exchange. CrossCountry Mortgage, Inc. was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Young Entrepreneur award was Kingsport Imaging, Inc. Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurts and Treats was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Minority Enterprise award was Carew Cuts Barber Shop. No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Woman-Owned Business award was Cindy Saadeh Fine Art Gallery. Charmed Southern Home, Gifts & Events was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Veteran-Owned Business award was Anytime Fitness. No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Home-Based Business award was Bellafina Chocolates. No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Multiple Store/Franchise award was Angry Penguin. Fish Window Cleaning was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Rural Enterprise Business award was The Rusty Nail Primitives. Toyables was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Marketing Excellence award was VIPSEEN Magazine. No Runner Up.
There was no Winner or Runner Up for the Innovation award. Honorable mentions include Beyond Engagement, SRV Global Health, and NugZee, LLC.
The Winner of the Small Manufacturer/Fabricator award was Mason Distributors (Triggers). No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Rising Star award was Haun Chiropractic. Jenkins Insurance Group was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Exceptional Performer award was Picsee Studio. No Runner Up.
The Winner of the Impact Award was Thom Crosby of Pal’s Business Excellence Institute. Rikki Rhoten of Allstate Insurance was the Runner Up.
The Winner of the Caped Crusader award was Mayor Dennis Phillips.

Each winner and runner-up received a KOSBE award on stage, will receive recognition during Kingsport Chamber and KOSBE events, digital award emblem to display on their company literature and website, spotlight on Kingsport Chamber and KOSBE websites, social media channels and recognition in the Kingsport Times-News. Past winners are often first in line for free marketing opportunities, special interviews and public relations exposure.

Also during the ceremony, Mayor Dennis Phillips, Kingsport Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Miles Burdine and KOSBE Chair Janet Callahan of Bristol Motor Speedway, presented keynote speaker Michael Quillen, Founder and Past CEO of Alpha Natural Resources, with an appreciation gift in recognition of his leadership and forward-thinking in regard to the future of America’s energy production.

The 2012 Annual KOSBE Award sponsors include:

Title Sponsor: SunTrust Bank

Platinum Sponsors: Cumberland Marketing and Dykes Trucking

Gold Sponsors: KNETIC, Sweet CeCe's, Phil's Dream Pit, The Village at Allandale and F & L Limo & Livery

Silver Sponsors: Eastman Chemical Company, Triten Insurance & Financial Services, Food City / K-VA-T Food Stores, Hunter, Smith & Davis, Wilson, Worley, Moore, Gamble & Stout PC, Pathway Lending, Thomson Metal Services and HairBenders Salon

Bronze Sponsors: Kathy Richards with AdviCoach and Charlie Dotson with TCI Group

Media Sponsors: VIPSEEN Magazine, Holston Valley Broadcasting Group, Kingsport Times News, Times Digital Group and Picsee Studios

Event Partners: Action Rentals and Sales, Express Signs, Flowers by CopperCreek, Holston Distributing Company, Ridgefields Country Club, Divine Café and Catering, Lakepointe Awards, and Pristine Springs

Entertainment Sponsor: East Tennessee Eye Care

It is the intent of KOSBE to be the go-to organization in the Tri-Cities for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to start or grow their businesses, by creating and developing the right tools and resources and cultivating the right partnerships. In partnership with Tennessee Small Business Development Centers (TSBDC) at ETSU, KOSBE can more effectively serve the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. For a complete listing of services, tools and resources, visit kosbe.org.

The cooperative agreement between KOSBE and East Tennessee State University is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Additional funding is provided by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the state of Tennessee.

To schedule your free confidential counseling appointment in a private setting by TSBDC-certified counselors in person, online by phone or e-mail call David Schools at (423) 392.8825 or e-mail, dschools@kosbe.org.

For more information about the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at ETSU Kingsport Affiliate Office and your Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE), visit tsbdc.org and kosbe.org or call (423) 392.8825. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kosbe – The Small Business Connection, Twitter, @KOSBEConnection, LinkedIn group, KOSBE - The Small Business Connection and our YouTube Channel, KOSBEConnection.