Small Business of the Year Award finalists named for 2016

It was a record year for award nominations and applications for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 Small Business of the Year Award, presented by Northstar Bank of Texas.

Winners will be announced at a reception prior to Mayor Betsy Price’s Annual State of the City address February 16 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The annual Small Business of the Year Award salutes those that operate with exemplary Best Practices.

“This year’s finalists are an impressive group that reflects the diversity of Fort Worth’s business base, including pharmaceutical, technology, manufacturing and professional services,” said Chamber President and CEO Bill Thornton. “The judges have their work cut out for them because these are all excellent contenders.”

Finalists were selected from 125 nominees and 45 written applications by a group of business professionals, MBA or Entrepreneur Center students at TCU’s Neeley School of Business and past award winners who are members of the Chamber’s Small Business Council Committee. Site visits by judges to the finalists’ business locations will determine the winners.

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Finalists, by category, are:

Emerging Business (in business less than 3 years):

• Alpha Industries LLC – fabrication, construction welding, industrial construction, global logistics, and team-management for industrial and energy clients

• Cowtown Cycle Party LLC – eco-friendly 16-person party bike to exercise while sightseeing in downtown and the Near Southside

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• 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 to small and mid-sized businesses

• M-Pak, Inc. – industrial packaging and tactical clothing/uniform supplier to private and government businesses

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• SYNERGY HomeCare – non-medical homecare services for people who need assistance with activities of daily living, including companionship, homemaking and personal care

11-50 Employees:

• CMIT Solutions of Fort Worth – managed IT and computer consulting services

• Sutton Frost Cary LLP – full-service certified public accounting firm

• 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, to shipping, receiving and short- to long-term storage

• Sellmark Corporation –high-quality outdoor lifestyle products featured in top-tier retailers and more than 50 countries

• Simplifi Holdings, Inc. – leader in localized programmatic solutions for digital business

Additional sponsors for the 2016 Small Business of the Year Award program are TCU’s Neeley School of Business, Tarleton State University, Wells Fargo, Renaissance Worthington Fort Worth Hotel, and Fort Worth Business. -k Robert Francis, rfrancis@bizpress.net

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