Seven women, one man claim this year's Small Business Awards
By Anne Keisman
Tony Howard, president of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, said he wanted to add a little glitz to this year's Small Business Awards.
He got his wish. The Nov. 7 event at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport hotel had several things in common with the Academy Awards: a red carpet, a plethora of evening gowns, even ecstatic acceptance speeches peppered with thank you's for everyone from God to mothers to business partners.
The gala attracted more than 500 people to celebrate the top entrepreneurs in Loudoun County. A blue ribbon committee of business leaders and industry experts chose eight winners out of 31 finalists, who were chosen from an initial pool of 255 nominees.
From horse facilities to camouflaged cell towers, the awards demonstrated the wide range of enterprises that make up Loudoun's ever-growing business community.
The winners
Agri/Equine Business of the Year
Winner: Fox Chase Farm
Description: A year-round events facility catering to horse shows, clinics, events, temporary horse board, dog shows -- all things equine
Contact: 540-687-5255
Web site: www.foxchasefarm.net
Home-based Business of the Year
Winner: Lighthouse Concepts
Description: Graphic design/ promotional products firm
Contact: 703-779-9617
Web site: www.lhconcepts.com
Product of the Year
Winner: Let's Dish!
Description: Meal preparation retail outlet
Contact: 703-858-7900
Web site: www.letsdish.com
Retail Business of the Year
Winner: Flintstone Marble & Granite
Description: Cuts and installs marble and granite kitchen counter-tops, vanities, bathtubs, bar tops and fireplaces
Contact: 571-223-2970
Web site: www.flintstonemarble.com
Service Business of the Year
Winner: StagedRite/TAH-DA! Inc
Description: Service that stages homes to be more competitive on the housing market
Contact: 540-550-1033
Web site: www.tah-dastaging.com
Technology Business of the Year
Winner: Invisible Towers
Description: Provider of camouflaged wireless telecommunications towers
Web site: www.invisibletowers.com
Entrepreneur of the Year
Winner: Catherine Thomas of Kinetix Technology
Description: CEO of an IT consulting and staffing services firm
Contact: 703-689-0055
Web site: www.kinetixtechnology.com
Small Business of the Year:
Winner: Dulles Golf & Sports Park Center
Description: Family recreation center that offers a golf range, an 18-hole miniature golf course, batting cages and white sand beach volleyball courts
Contact: 703-404-8800
Web site: www.dullesgolfcenter.com