SMALL businesses have long been the great Australian dream - owning your own enterprise, doing the tough slog and hopefully turning your small business into big business.And a silent part of that dream has always been recognition as a genuine and legit
SMALL businesses have long been the great Australian dream - owning your own enterprise, doing the tough slog and hopefully turning your small business into big business.
And a silent part of that dream has always been recognition as a genuine and legitimate business success within their communities.
Because almost all small businesses start with a local product on small premises in a suburban area, support from local district councils, cities and local associations is invaluable.
The Belmont Business Enterprise (BEC) is a prime example of locals helping locals.
BEC, established in 1996, is a non-profit community association that provides free business counselling and guidance to those wishing to start a business or for those already operating to expand and improve.
For the past six years BEC has been running the Belmont Small Business Awards, to provide recognition and encouragement for the professionalism of small business in the Belmont area.
Carol Hanlon, the manager and founder of BEC, says the significance of recognising and honouring small business is extremely important.
“Small business owners never take the time to stop and look at their achievements,” said Ms Hanlon.
“The awards give them time to look and reflect on what they have done and achieved.
“It’s also important for the staff. The awards allow them to look at their work and see what it does.”
According to Ms Hanlon, when one local business wins an award or is recognised for their work, it inspires others to work harder.
“Businesses receive extra exposure and extra confidence from the awards,” said Ms Hanlon.
“Other firms then strive for excellence and this put them on a path to achievement.”
There was a time when the phrase “Small Business” brought to mind visions of the corner deli or local fish and chip shop. Today, the phrase congers images of large and successful enterprises like Cottesloe’s Dome Coffee.
In the past, small business has been overlooked in favour of the Big Boys, but efforts from enterprising West Australian businesses like Dome Coffee have solidified the thought that small business is equally as important as big business.
The Belmont Awards have certainly had their fair share of success stories. Companies like Aqua Technics, Jet Set Travel and Belvidere Quality Meats have all taken out BEC Awards in the past.
Ms Hanlon displays particular pride in the rise and rise of Belvidere Quality Meats, owned and run by local butcher Warren Hook.
Belvidere has become a mark for quality meats and meat products around the State.
“They have been a finalist in the WA Telstra Small Business award three times,” Ms Hanlon said proudly.
“Belvidere now supplies to the north west and the East Coast.
“It is an indication of the spirit of the awards that a local butcher shop can become so huge.”
In line with the services provided by BEC, the awards also help small businesses to gain a greater understanding of their clients, product, marketing and development.
“The entry form for the awards is like a mini business plan,” said Ms Hanlon.
“The questions asked in the entry form are things like: what are their strengths? What have they achieved? How do they judge customer satisfaction?”
Hanlon is quick to point out that the awards are not just about the business that earns the most or expands the fastest.
“The awards are about recognising who is working to the best of their ability. They’re about creating role models and helping others to strive to the best of their ability.”
Dinner for winners
THE winners of the 12 categories in the Belmont Small Business Awards will be announced on Thursday night. The presentation at Sandringham by the River from 6 pm to 8 pm will be followed by an awards celebration dinner. The awards are conducted by the Belmont Enterprise Centre, a non-profit community-based organisation which conducts a number of projects within Belmont.
And the finalists are…
Affix Promotions
Allcom Communications
Allyear Gas & Airconditioning
Aquabiotics Pty Ltd
Belmont Amcal Chemist
Belmont Auto Carpets
Belmont Fancy Dress Hire
Belvidere Quality Meats
Camwatch
Crave
Edealism
Fibre Packaging
Forum House of Cards
Gemini Introduction
Mariah Papaya
Harvey World Travel Belmont
Hotbods Creatures Pty Ltd
Olympia Publishing Pty Ltd
Optiman Pty Ltd
Racebreed Australia
Reading Cinemas Belmont
Regency Limousines
Squashworks
Stephania’s Beauty Salon
Surf Gear Belmont
Superline
And a silent part of that dream has always been recognition as a genuine and legitimate business success within their communities.
Because almost all small businesses start with a local product on small premises in a suburban area, support from local district councils, cities and local associations is invaluable.
The Belmont Business Enterprise (BEC) is a prime example of locals helping locals.
BEC, established in 1996, is a non-profit community association that provides free business counselling and guidance to those wishing to start a business or for those already operating to expand and improve.
For the past six years BEC has been running the Belmont Small Business Awards, to provide recognition and encouragement for the professionalism of small business in the Belmont area.
Carol Hanlon, the manager and founder of BEC, says the significance of recognising and honouring small business is extremely important.
“Small business owners never take the time to stop and look at their achievements,” said Ms Hanlon.
“The awards give them time to look and reflect on what they have done and achieved.
“It’s also important for the staff. The awards allow them to look at their work and see what it does.”
According to Ms Hanlon, when one local business wins an award or is recognised for their work, it inspires others to work harder.
“Businesses receive extra exposure and extra confidence from the awards,” said Ms Hanlon.
“Other firms then strive for excellence and this put them on a path to achievement.”
There was a time when the phrase “Small Business” brought to mind visions of the corner deli or local fish and chip shop. Today, the phrase congers images of large and successful enterprises like Cottesloe’s Dome Coffee.
In the past, small business has been overlooked in favour of the Big Boys, but efforts from enterprising West Australian businesses like Dome Coffee have solidified the thought that small business is equally as important as big business.
The Belmont Awards have certainly had their fair share of success stories. Companies like Aqua Technics, Jet Set Travel and Belvidere Quality Meats have all taken out BEC Awards in the past.
Ms Hanlon displays particular pride in the rise and rise of Belvidere Quality Meats, owned and run by local butcher Warren Hook.
Belvidere has become a mark for quality meats and meat products around the State.
“They have been a finalist in the WA Telstra Small Business award three times,” Ms Hanlon said proudly.
“Belvidere now supplies to the north west and the East Coast.
“It is an indication of the spirit of the awards that a local butcher shop can become so huge.”
In line with the services provided by BEC, the awards also help small businesses to gain a greater understanding of their clients, product, marketing and development.
“The entry form for the awards is like a mini business plan,” said Ms Hanlon.
“The questions asked in the entry form are things like: what are their strengths? What have they achieved? How do they judge customer satisfaction?”
Hanlon is quick to point out that the awards are not just about the business that earns the most or expands the fastest.
“The awards are about recognising who is working to the best of their ability. They’re about creating role models and helping others to strive to the best of their ability.”
Dinner for winners
THE winners of the 12 categories in the Belmont Small Business Awards will be announced on Thursday night. The presentation at Sandringham by the River from 6 pm to 8 pm will be followed by an awards celebration dinner. The awards are conducted by the Belmont Enterprise Centre, a non-profit community-based organisation which conducts a number of projects within Belmont.
And the finalists are…
Affix Promotions
Allcom Communications
Allyear Gas & Airconditioning
Aquabiotics Pty Ltd
Belmont Amcal Chemist
Belmont Auto Carpets
Belmont Fancy Dress Hire
Belvidere Quality Meats
Camwatch
Crave
Edealism
Fibre Packaging
Forum House of Cards
Gemini Introduction
Mariah Papaya
Harvey World Travel Belmont
Hotbods Creatures Pty Ltd
Olympia Publishing Pty Ltd
Optiman Pty Ltd
Racebreed Australia
Reading Cinemas Belmont
Regency Limousines
Squashworks
Stephania’s Beauty Salon
Surf Gear Belmont
Superline
