Four Tarrant County companies received the 2016 Small Business of the Year Award from the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce just prior to Mayor Betsy Price’s State of the City address on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The four winners are:
Emerging Business – Ventavia Research Group LLC – clinical research company that conducts trials for new medications developed by pharmaceutical companies;
1-10 Employees – Blue Jean Networks LLC – IT service provider to small and mid-sized businesses;
11-50 Employees – The Baker Firm – Fidelity National Title – residential and commercial title services;
51-150 Employees – Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage Inc. – moving company that specializes in moving, packing and crating, shipping, receiving and short- to long-term storage.
“These outstanding businesses are models of entrepreneurial vision, courage and spirit that define Fort Worth,” said Bill Thornton, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Chamber. “Small businesses continue to drive our local and national economy, and with 87 percent of our 2,100 members being small businesses like these, the Chamber is committed to support their success and recognize their impact.”
Recipients were categorized by either emerging business or number of employees, and judged on business growth and performance, sound business strategies and practices, customer service strategies, business challenges, unique and innovative approaches, and community involvement.
The winners were chosen from a record-breaking field of 125 nominees and a total of 12 finalists in four categories. Each finalist was judged on their written application and a site visit by business owners and professionals who are members of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, most of them past SBOY award winners. Top students from TCU’s Neely School of Business were also among the judges.
The 2015 Small Business of the Year awards program is presented by Northstar Bank of Texas. Additional sponsors include BB&T, TCU’s Neely School of Business, Tarleton State University, Wells Fargo, Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel and Fort Worth Business.
Additional information on the 2015 Small Business of the Year Award Winners
EMERGING BUSINESS
Ventavia Research Group LLC
Kristi Raney, CFO & Olivia Ray, COO
817-348-0228
www.ventaviaresearch.com
Ventavia Research Group LLC is a clinical research company that conducts trials for new medications developed by pharmaceutical companies. Olivia Ray and Kristi Raney founded the company in October 2013 and combined their experiences, skills, and passion for healthcare to improve the future of medicine with the highest industry standards. With a team led by the first and second place winners of the 2010 PharmaTimes’ US Clinical Researcher of the Year award, Ventavia serves as a comprehensive, multi-therapeutic research organization for inpatient and outpatient trials. The clinical studies provided by the company offer the opportunity to get new medications to market.
1-10 EMPLOYEES
Blue Jean Networks LLC
Sunny Lowe, President & CEO
817-231-0222
www.bluejeannetworks.com
Blue Jean Networks LLC is committed to remarkable IT service to small and mid-sized businesses. They not only build great networks, but they also give ten percent of profits to charitable organizations and have sponsored Fort Worth’s Turkey Trot for four years. Employees enjoy serving local clients like YMCA Fort Worth (all locations), McDonald Law Firm, Newark Energy, and Terrace Energy, LLC. They are on a fantastic growth curve due to the people and organizations surrounding the company. The company has received multiple honors from Fort Worth Business: Honorable mention in the Best of 2012 Awards and recognition as one of Fort Worth’s largest IT providers in 2014.
11-50 EMPLOYEES
The Baker Firm – Fidelity National Title
Troy Moncrief, President
817-377-4100
www.fidelity-usa.com
The Baker Firm – Fidelity National Title was established July 1, 2012 by a group of ambitious individuals with years of experience in the industry. The Texas Department of Insurance, (TDI) governs the title business with stringent guidelines that must be adhered to, such as state dictated rates and premiums. With such stern rules and no tangible goods to sell, service is their product. They pride themselves on providing impeccable customer service, which has afforded them the title of the number one fee office for Fidelity in DFW from their inception.
51-150 EMPLOYEES
Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage Inc.
Derrick S. Potter, President
817-737-7800
www.FirefighterMovers.com
Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage Inc. is a full-service moving and storage company with locations in Fort Worth, Dallas and Houston. Founded and operated by firefighters, they specialize in delivering exceptional customer service from a dedicated and professional staff. They offer a wide range of services from moving, packing and crating, to shipping, receiving and short- to long-term storage. They have received Move for Hunger’s “Mover of the Year” award, the Better Business Bureau’s “Torch Award,” Pro Patria Award by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and have attained the status of Pinnacle Mover and ProMover.