Small Business of the Year Awards

The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce’s twelfth annual Small Business of the Year Awards, held Friday May 8th, recognized the outstanding contributions that 42 local companies have made to the business community. At a gala event that attracted more than 400 business people and civic leaders to the Wyndham Lisle, eleven local companies earned top honors in the annual competition.

Naperville Running Company earned overall Small Business of the Year honors, as well as Outstanding Business in the 6-30 employees category.

Lellbach Builders won Outstanding Business in the 1-5 employee category.

Hursthouse, Inc. won Outstanding Business in the 31-99 employees category.

Visiting Angels/DuPage County Region won Outstanding Business in the 100+ employees category.

Outstanding Members whose businesses are under five years old were recognized for their entrepreneurial savvy and contributions to the community in the 5 Under 5  Category.  This year the nominees in this category were so impressive, that the winners couldn’t be limited to just five.  The six winners were: Dogs Love Running,   Innovative Orthodontic Centers,  Paul Gregory Media,  Nona Jo’s Creative Consultants,   Ink Station, and  Naperville Dental Specialists.         

The winner of the Not-For-Profit was Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry.

The Blue Ribbon Committee judged all of the nominees on their unique or innovative approaches toward customers, remarkable achievements, community involvement and other attributes that set their business apart.

The Chamber also presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Ray Jones of Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home.

Started in 1998, the 2009 Small Business of the Year Awards program was presented by Harris N.A. and sponsored by Esser Hayes Insurance Group, BP America and Exelon Nuclear.

All-time Small Business of the Year Award winners (overall winners only):
    2009: Naperville Running Company
    2008: Newman Architecture
    2007: Belgio’s Catering
    2006: My Chef Catering
    2005: Brennnan & Brosnan, LLC
    2004: john greene, Realtor
    2003: BBM, Inc.
    2002: Colbert Custom Framing
    2001: Eleganté Salons & Day Spas
    2000: FASTSIGNS
    1999: UNETY Systems
    1998: Hitchcock Design Group