Three entrepreneurs receive 2016 Ben TeKamp Memorial Award BY Doreen Barnes
The Brockville Country Club was all abuzz on Tuesday, Nov 15, as the Employment and Education Centre and sponsors congratulated all those that were nominated for the second annual Ben TeKamp Memorial Award. Small businesses such as musical instruction, craft distillery, florist to vintage clothing and more represented a very diverse cross-section of the types of commerce taking place in the Leeds and Grenville area. Those nominated were High Profile Music, a provider of vocal and instrumental musical instruction; TechTutors, a Brockville-based provider of computer repair and training services; CDN Safety Training, a Kemptvillebased business which provides a variety of training services for other businesses (including confined space entry, safe chainsaw handling and lift truck training); Kings Lock Craft Distillery, a Johnstown-based craft distiller of different spirits including vodka and rum; Maven Marketing and Communications, based in Westport; this business provides marketing, communication and public relations services to businesses; Eternal Care Cremation, an Elizabethtownbased provider of lower-cost direct cremation and burial services; Mint Wellness, a Brockville-based hair care
law, acted as master of ceremonies for the evening. "As you know, Ben was a man of integrity, passion, vision and determination, leaving a huge footprint in our community and beyond." said McElrea. "He had a really neat perspective in the world of business. He believed strongly in the role which entrepreneurs and innovators play in the world of business." Through the Employment and Education Centre, the Ben TeKamp Memorial Award came into being as a way to honour TeKamp and to his role in mentoring and inspiring new entrepreneurs and people interested in starting a new business. Prior to announcing the winners, Shannon Morrison of Skyward Active Health Centre (team of therapists), the first recipient of the Ben TeKamp Memorial Award, spoke about TeKamp and what he contributed to the community. "I have continued to strive for success in business the way that Ben would have wanted," shared Morrison. "He was a true community leader." This award prompted Morrison to start a partnership with the local school to learn more about nutrition and exercise. The award is given to a worthy new or reinvented business in LeedsGrenville. The 2016 winners were an-
Doreen Barnes/Metroland
From left, Madelyn Piehl of Eternal Care Cremation, William Thomson of TechTutors and Vanessa Gonyea of Dill Flower Studios receive the 2016 Ben TeKamp Memorial Award for outstanding business at the Brockville Country Club on Tuesday, Nov. 15. facility, spa and fitness service; Dill Flower Studios, a florist located in Kemptville; Great Waterway Hearing, located in Brockville; this business provides a hearing aid clinic as well as in-home visits; Can Save Lives Treatment, a Brockville-based which offers training for first aid, CPR and AED; Victim Services of Leeds and Grenville, a Brockville-based organization which assists the victims of crisis;
River Lily Boutique, a store located in Brockville which provides unique giftware and décor items; and Sheila's Bombshell Vintage, a Brockville-based retailer that provides quality vintage clothing. TeKamp, who served as Brockville mayor and was the long-time co-ordinator of the local Self-Employment Benefit program, passed away in 2014. Greg McElrea, TeKamp's son-in-
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nounced at the gathering: Dill Flower Studios, Eternal Care Cremation and Tech Tutors. The first presentation was to Vanessa Gonyea of Dill Flower Studios, who had to reinvent herself after a spinal injury, which led her to start a floral business. "I know how hard all of you work, long hours away from your family and I just want to say thank you to everyone," said Gonyea. Following, Madelyn Piehl of Eternal Care Cremation, an alternate to the traditional cremation practices, burial and after care for estate closures, at a lower-cost was named as another recipient of this award. "This is a tremendous honour; thank you so much," said Piehl. As well, Piehl thanked the Leeds and Grenville Small Business for being supportive and assisting people in business. Sue Watts, EEC executive director, presented the last recipient of the 2016 Ben TeKamp Memorial Award to William Thomson of Tech Tutors. "Thank you! I never had the opportunity to met Ben, but would have loved to sit down with a couple of cups of coffee and pick his brain because I have only ever heard amazing things said about him," spoke Thomson. "This is a complete honour, and thank you so much. I know just where I will put this."
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Connected to Your Community A/CP/K/P/SF - 19 - Thursday, December 1, 2016