Best Of 2023 Kickoff

BEST /best/

Adjective: of the most excellent, effective or desirable type or quality. Noun: that which is the most excellent, outstanding or desirable.

When it comes to daily living, the world is swimming with decisions. Where to eat. Where to shop. Where to get the dog groomed, your teeth cleaned, your tires rotated, a new tattoo, a wedding dress… The list goes on. Sure, you could ask around and see what the consensus is among family and friends. But wouldn’t you like to have a bigger sample size, to know that you’re working with the people, businesses and places trusted by an entire state?

You’re in luck: it’s that most wonderful time of the year for AY About You, where we call upon the expertise of our savvy readers to separate the must-go from the so-so. After taking nominations throughout January, we’ve compiled the top five nominees across 201 categories. That comes out to 1,005 contenders for the prestigious title of AY’s Best. Those categories run the gamut, covering industries and interests as diverse as the people who live here.

To put a few numbers to it: There are over 250,000 small businesses across Arkansas making up 99.3 percent of all businesses in the state. When it comes to the major players, 300 Fortune 500 companies have operations in Arkansas. With the help of our readers, we’ll tell you which businesses are the best at what they do, and which bosses are most beloved by their employees and communities.

Other categories hit closer to home – literally. Arkansas was the No. 1 state for inbound movers by ratio in 2021 and stayed in the top five for 2022, thanks in part to having one of the lowest costs of living in the country. If someone you know is eyeing a move to the Natural State (and why wouldn’t they be?), AY’s Best will tell them not only which real estate agency to call but which real estate agent to ask for when they do.

Maybe you’ve noticed the influx of new neighbors and have found yourself fielding questions about lawn care, the best bank for your bucks and which “tourist” attractions the locals love too?

Direct the newest Arkansawyers in your life to AY’s Best, and they’ll never want for a better set of recommendations. From CBD to HVAC, from whiskey bars to hair salons and the personalities, health clinics and colleges in between, AY’s Best of is the definitive guide to living in Arkansas.

It’s an honor in itself to be nominated, but it’s up to you, the AY reader, to decide which nominees will make it into the coveted top spots. The top three in each category will earn the right to be called “AY’s Best,” but only one can be named the Best Of in their respective field. If you haven’t already, start making your selections ASAP – this year, voting is open March 6 to March 26. The winners will be announced in early May with a special VIP celebration to follow.

Now more than ever, it’s time to show up and support your favorites. Your vote could be the one that secures a win for that food truck you always go to for lunch, the personal trainer helping you stick to a New Year’s resolution or even that garden center you keep on speed dial when spring rolls around.

In every corner of the state, there are people and companies representing the best and brightest of what Arkansas has to offer. At AY About You, we work to tell their stories and shine a light on their achievements. But you, the readers, do more than just follow our coverage. You’re in these places every day, putting the “tried” into “tried and true,” deciding for yourself the ones that are worth coming back to over and again. Don’t keep all that wisdom for yourself; let us know who deserves the recognition by voting for your favorites in every category from March 6 through March 26.