Seven outstanding St. Croix small business owners who are seriously intent on delivering quality service and growing were given awards Thursday by the V.I. Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration along with the University of the Virgin Islands.
The awards ceremony was held in conjunction with the VISBDC’s Small Business Week, which began Sunday. The ceremony took place at the Carambola Beach Resort and Spa.
The theme of 2013 Small Business Week is "Small Business: Persevering and growing your business one day at a time."
Denise Bennerson, owner of Homeland Collections Portrait Gallery, selected by VISBDC as the 2013 St. Croix Nascent Small Business of the Year has grown her business one day at a time bringing innovation and creativity to the business.
Bennerson, an educator and author, started her photography business 17 years ago. She has continued to learn new things and is on the cutting edge of photography using the latest techniques and tools. Her newest business venture is in the publishing of “Elegant St. Croix Weddings” a high-quality glossy magazine and online publication promoting St. Croix as the best wedding destination in the Caribbean.
“In your own business you can create and recreate and set your own standards,” Bennerson said. She thanked God for being able to always reinvent herself to keep her business growing.
Kimberly Jones, chief operating officer of Salt River Marina, was awarded the 2013 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Jones said her daughter was her inspiration to leave her mark in a male-driven industry.
PC Landscaping co-owners Peter Clifford and Theresa Clifford received the 2013 Entrepreneurial Success Award. They employ 16 workers providing landscaping, backhoe services, water delivery and debris removal. Theresa said she loves interacting directly with customers and giving them quality service. She added that as a business owner she can set her own schedule and spend time with her family.
Quality Electric Supply received the 2013 St. Croix Small Business of the Year award. The company’s president, Karl Bauknight, accepted the award.
Sinclair Fleming, of SF General Maintenance, received a Procurement Certification. Charles King, president of Delta Electric and Construction Co. Inc., got a HubZone Certification.
Award committee evaluations are based on continuity, management, growth and sound business practices.
Leonor Dottin, VISBDC state director, said everything small business owners do is special and it is an honor to recognize them. She added only a few people take the risk of running their own businesses. “As a community we come together to celebrate accomplishments,” Dottin said.
Carl Christensen, senior area manager of U.S. Small Business Administration, presented Tracy Sanders of Continuum Care Inc. and Herbert Sanders with the St. Croix Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Tracy Sanders said she has always loved to take care of others and realized home health care was her niche. Eventually her business grew and expanded to provide end-of-life hospice care.
“It takes a team,” Sanders said. “We’re always set for improvement to provide quality care. This is a work in progress.”
Christensen also recognized Scotiabank as Bank of the Year on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
The keynote address was given by the Rev. Robert V. Lee, founder and chief executive officer of Fresh Ministries and by Andrew Harold of A. Harold and Associates LLC.
Other speakers included Aesha Duval, legislative assistant to the V.I. Delegate to Congress; Camille McKayle, provost at University of the Virgin Islands; and Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis.
