Small But Mighty
Every year, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce honors businesses of 25 employees or fewer for their success and overall impact on the community through its Small Business of the Year Award. This year, despite the pandemic, brought in an impressive class of finalists. Chamber members nominate businesses that then complete a comprehensive application. Six judges […]
Homegrown and Family Owned
Five small businesses receive chamber honors and Boone County Lumber grabs the top prize. Boone County Lumber 2019 Small Business of the Year On any given day at Boone County Lumber, you might find owner Brad Eiffert answering the phone, serving customers in the lumberyard, or driving a forklift — whatever it takes to grow […]
Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Small Business of the Year
Ragtag Film Society A little more than 20 years ago, a “ragtag crew” of community members, including David Wilson and Paul Sturtz, began screening independent films at The Blue Note in downtown Columbia. Throughout the years, thanks to the incredible support of the Columbia community, the group became the Ragtag Film Society, which then built […]
Small Business of the Year finalist: Kilgore’s Respiratory Services
Licensed respiratory therapist Kelly Bietsch always knew she needed more from her career than working for someone else. So when the opportunity arose in 2003 for Kelly and her husband, Fred Bietsch, to open a respiratory center, they jumped at the chance. They started in the Chapel Hill location of Kilgore’s Pharmacy, which is owned […]
Small Business of the Year finalist: Plaza Dental Group
In the seven years since it opened at 303 N. Keene St., Plaza Dental Group has grown from only having one general dentist to hosting 35 employees including doctors and serving 105 to 120 patients a day. Dr. Walt Pfitzinger and Dr. Kyle Lisenby, who both provide services at the office, own the dental practice. […]
Small Business of the Year finalist: Manor Roofing and Restoration
Manor Roofing and Restoration doesn’t want customers coming back for more. They want to use products that will last a long time. Sustainability is the focus of the business, and it’s earned Manor a finalist spot for Small Business of the Year. “The highest percentage of our customers have been through at least one other […]
Small Business of the Year finalist: TrueSon Exteriors
Five years ago, TrueSon Exteriors founder Barry Roewe decided he wanted to go into business for himself. After consulting his wife and receiving the support he needed, the couple took the money they’d saved and started TrueSon Exteriors out of their Ashland home for three and a half years before moving to their current located […]