The Fort Worth Chamber has expanded its annual Small Business of the Year competition beyond Tarrant County to Parker, Denton, Wise, Hood and Johnson counties. Nominations and applications are being accepted August 1 through October 15.
The Forte Awards recognize for-profit businesses with fewer than 150 employees that have demonstrated “Best Practices” of entrepreneurship, such as sound business planning, fiscal responsibility and work process innovation in five categories – emerging business, consumer/retail, technology, professional services and manufacturing / distribution. Fifteen finalists will be chosen and five will receive a Forte Award in January 2020.
“Almost 90 percent of Chamber members are small businesses, some of them from neighboring counties and all critical to the Fort Worth region’s economy,” said Jarred Howard, senior vice president of Small Business and Entrepreneur Support. “We want to showcase these businesses and share their stories with others who are on the same journey of realizing their dreams of success.”
To qualify, businesses must to be financially stable and operational for a minimum of three years with the exception of those in the emerging businesses category. Judges will measure business growth and performance, sound strategies and practices, customer service strategies and practices, business challenges, unique and innovative approaches, community involvement and contribution, and employee relations.
To nominate a business or apply, visit fortworthchamber.com/forms/sboy-nomination/