Exemplary businesses and trailblazing entrepreneurs make Sarasota stand out | Indicators
Ranked one of the best small cities to start a small business, Sarasota is booming and making a big impression. With miles of pristine beaches, low taxes, convenient flights, and an average temperature of 72 degrees year-round, every day feels like vacation. As such a great location for pleasure and conducting business, Sarasota is making a mark locally and across the country as the place to call home for work or play.
Thanks to a thriving business community, the Sarasota local economy continues to grow beyond expectations. Similarly, organizations in the community are going beyond the norm to foster Sarasota’s great national reputation. Sarasota is an outstanding city because of countless contributions by trailblazing entrepreneurs – leaders who demonstrate courage and fortitude, many putting their own capital and net worth on the line to fulfill their dream. These businesses meet our community’s needs for a vast array of goods and services and are one of the largest contributors to private sector job growth regionally and across the country.
Over 1,200 businesses are members of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, employing over 60,000 people. The cumulative impact of these employers in the Chamber and the community is immense. And while significant in the number of businesses, 90% have fewer than 50 employees. For these reasons and many others, it is essential that we honor these extraordinary entrepreneurs, and salute businesses fueling this economy.
Once a year, we honor the contributions of companies of all sizes, started by individuals with unique backgrounds who have one thing in common – being the best at what they do; employing best practices; creating an inspiring company culture; and making time for their workforce to give back in the community. These businesses are setting the bar high and making a huge impact. We will recognize and celebrate these businesses on June 23 at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s 33rd annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards presented by the Herald-Tribune.
We look forward to hosting the awards luncheon at the Hyatt Hotel in Sarasota. This year we have nine award categories with three finalists in each category. The finalists include:
· Large Business Award (150+ employees) sponsored by Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP: Dutchman Hospitality Group; First Watch Restaurants Inc.; FCCI Insurance Group.
· Medium Business Award (25-150 employees) sponsored by Boat Guys of Sarasota: DMSI; Florida Elevator Inc.; JMX Brands.
· Small Business Award (1-25 employees) sponsored by Sarasota Bradenton International Airport: Express Employment Professionals; One Stop Housing LLC; Wealth Strategies Partners.
· Community Impact Award sponsored by Kerkering, Barberio & Co.: All Faiths Food Bank; Catalist Realty LLC; Rise & Nyes.
· Minority Business Award sponsored by Bank of America: Aginto-A Digital Agency; Herrera Psychology; Jah Movement.
· Non-Profit Award sponsored by Hyatt Regency Sarasota: Education Foundation of Sarasota County Inc.; Humane Society of Sarasota County; Sarasota Ballet of Florida Inc.
· Rising Star Award sponsored by HH Staffing Services: Castle Concierge; The Breakfast Company; Town Square Sarasota.
· Woman-Owned Business Award sponsored by Herald-Tribune: BSWANKY; MakSchu LLC; Stage Door Studios Inc.
· Workforce Development & Innovation Award sponsored by Lakewood Ranch Medical Center: Children First; PGT Innovations; Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.
Businesses submitted a digital application for the awards and the top-scoring nominees in each category were selected as finalists. Each finalist was invited for an interview with a panel of judges.
Finalists in each of these categories are extraordinary examples of successful businesspeople who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit of the Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards. Mr. Berlin was a successful businessman and community leader who chaired the Chamber more than 65 years ago. This Chamber event bears his name in honor of his many years of commitment and service. We look forward to celebrating these finalists and winners on June 23!
Heather Kasten is the president/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University. She has served as the president/CEO since 2019 and serves on the board of several nonprofits. Contact her at hkasten@sarasotachamber.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: HEATHER KASTEN: Frank G. Berlin Awards salute Sarasota's business spirit
