The Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce handed out its annual Clovie awards Nov. 15, honouring the best of East Surrey businesses.
Scott Wheatley, the Chamber’s executive director, said the iconic emerald-green trophies were awarded at an “amazing” gala dinner at the Northview Golf and Country Club.
“Again this year the Clovies celebrated the achievements of the people and businesses serving Clayton, Cloverdale, and Campbell Heights,” Wheatley told the Cloverdale Reporter. “What was fascinating was how many of the winners have roots in Cloverdale and how other winners had influenced them.”
Wheatley added there was a good vibe at Northview that night with laughter, great speeches and an overall feeling of goodwill at the “pre-Christmas season” event for Cloverdale businesses.
“It was an interesting night this year because there was a lot of different connections between the different winners,” noted Wheatley. “Many had connections through Lord Tweedsmuir, in that they either went their, worked there, or currently work there.”
He said the interconnectedness of the winners created a buzz that permeated the night.
Wheatley said one his highlights of the night was the awarding of the Chamber’s first ever Indigenous Business of the Year Award to WELL KEPT Sustainables.
“Troy Derrick had a pretty inspiring speech when he accepted the award,” he added. “It was pretty powerful.”
Derrick posted on WELL KEPT Sustainables Instagram page that he was overwhelmed with the win.
“I don’t really know how to share about this as I wasn’t expecting anything like this,” Derrick wrote. “I can say that most anything I do with #wellkeptsustainables has been a therapy for me. Simply being able to share has been the reward.”
Derrick also wrote he didn’t feel he deserved the sole honour and thanked several others for helping him along the way through both friendship and support.
“The community in general has been the inspiration.”
For Wheatley, another highlight of the night was when the Chamber conferred the Community Builder Award on Turkey Kielesinski.
“Turkey deserved it for all he’s done for the community,” Wheatley explained. “One of his best buddies, for over 50 years, came up and talked about him and he had the whole place just mesmerized. But the funniest part was Turkey had no idea it was happening. He’s very humble. He’s just that type of guy. He didn’t think anybody would ever honour him.”
Wheatley added Mayor Brenda Locke enjoyed hearing about Turkey’s life too.
“She said she was enthralled with the speech,” Wheatley revealed. “She said she was on the edge of her seat listening to all about Turkey.”
The Clovies online auction generated more than $5,000 for the Chamber this year, which is their highest amount ever.
Wheatley said now that the 2023 Clovies are over, it’s back to square one for him as he begins to plan for the 2024 awards gala.
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NOMINEES & WINNERS
Here are this year’s categories and nominees with winners noted in bold.
Business Excellence Large Business (20+ Employees)
Honours a larger business that exemplifies superior customer service while embracing innovation and providing a positive work environment for its employees to grow and develop.
• BSL Security Services
• Clayton Heights Sports and Therapy Center
• Miracon Developments
• Southridge Building Centre
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Business Excellence Medium Business (10 – 19 Employees)
Honours a medium business that exemplifies superior customer service while embracing innovation and providing a positive work environment for its employees to grow and develop.
• Surrey Digital Printing
• SWR Drain Service LTD
• Volleybox
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Business Excellence Small Business (1-9 EMPLOYEES)
*Retail
Honours a small business that sells goods and merchandise directly to consumers whether through a bricks and mortar storefront or online.
• Mason’s Cloverdale Home Furnishings
• Nana’s Antiques
• Thrive Greenery & Gifts
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*Services
Honours a business in the service sector requiring special training and may require holding professional degrees and licenses.
• Allyson O’Brien Nutrition & Advanced Aesthetics
• Diabolikal Ink Tattoo Parlour
• Ola Fit For Life
• Rammy Rose Hair and Beauty
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New Business of the Year
Honours a “start-up” with a minimum of six (6) months to a maximum of twenty-four (24) months since incorporation and is achieving outstanding results in a short period of time.
• Allyson O’Brien Nutrition & Advanced Aesthetics
• Digital Vision
• Nest Clothing
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Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Recognizes a young “rising star”, 39 years of age or younger with entrepreneurial instincts, who is making a difference within his/her organization and the community.
• Vansh Sobti, Nest Clothing
• Bill Haggerty, Elevated Music
• Ola Alagboro, Ola Fit For Life
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Citizenship Excellence Award
Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the well-being of the community through their commitment and dedication.
• David Balfour
• Ken Schoepp
• Walter van Halst
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Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year
Honours a non-profit organization, which may include a charity, community association or society, that is making significant strides within its sphere of influence and adding value to the community.
• Royal Canadian Legion - Cloverdale
• Cloverdale Rodeo Youth Initiative Foundation
• Guru Nanak Food Bank
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Indigenous Business of the Year
Honours an organization that is majority Indigenous owned and is making strides putting reconciliation into action and supporting youth.
• Pacific Rim Group Inc
• RWC Industries
• WELL KEPT Sustainables
• Steveston Glass Ltd
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Excellence in Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity
Honours an organization that has made commitments to address societal disparity and injustice, and established or expanded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for their current and future workforce.
• Clayton Heights Sports & Therapy Center
• Universal Access Design
• Kwantlen Polytechnic University
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Bill Reid Memorial Business Person of the Year
Recognizes an individual with proven business acumen, who promotes the community at every opportunity and is an inspirational leader within his/her organization.
• Jared Cotterill, Surrey Digital
• Ryan O’Shea, Miracon Development
• Debbie Dore, Nana’s Antiques
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Community Builder
Awarded to an individual for lifetime achievement in helping to build up the community and for making Cloverdale a better place. The award is not given out yearly and there are no nominations. Granted at the discretion of the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce.
• Turkey Kielesinski
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