The Premier’s People’s Choice Award celebrates BC’s amazing entrepreneurs by recognizing a small business that is at the heart of their community.

Using any imaginative, creative, or traditional tactics available, interested businesses apply for the award and engage their customers, clients and neighbours to vote for them. At the end of the process, whoever has the most votes wins; It’s as simple as that!

Last year, Munday Media & Design exemplified this community involvement, rallying the community of Oliver behind them to clinch the prize. Who will follow in their footsteps in 2020? Here are your Top 10 Semi-Finalists for the 2020 Premier’s People’s Choice Award:

AirRAYS Drone Service, Fort Fraser

AIRRAYS is a family owned and operated business located in Fort Fraser B.C. We are proud to say we hold the highest drone licence currently available in as of Transport Canadas rules that took effect June 1st 2019. The Drone Industry is an area that has always intrigued me. Last year I was involved with fighting the local Forest Fires. This experience showed me how truly helpful drones could be. After many hours of research and studying I became qualified in the Industry.

Boteco Brasil, Vancouver

At Boteco Brasil, we’ve created a vibrant venue that brings people together for food, drinks & shared culture. Many report making new friends & often return knowing they’ll see familiar faces. This happens for Brazilians who meet new people from their own towns & also between patrons of other backgrounds. Live Brazilian music is a key factor in supporting these new connections.

Catoro Café, Vancouver

Catoro Cafe was created not be a novelty business in the city, but to be an institution in the community to promote animal welfare, mental wellness, and climate control by means of waste recycling. Everyday, Catoro engages with the community in new ways by offering programs that support local artists, people with mental illness, students, and many more. Most recently, Catoro is about to launch Catoro Cat Academy, where they will focus on educating children and young adults on various aspects about cat care and animal rescue.

Elegant Studios, Surrey

Elegant Studios is located on 68th and 129th in Surrey. We are professional, driven and dedicated team of Artists that go beyond to help our clients achieve the look they want for their special event and big day. We are very detail oriented and passionate about our work along with ensuring that you look elegant, beautiful and radiant.

Flax Sheep, Vancouver

Flax Sleep is a Vancouver-based company offering 100% French linen bedding and home goods online, direct to consumers, at prices significantly lower than traditional retail.

Griottes Polyglottes, Vancouver

Griottes Polyglottes offer fun and creative ways based on acting and storytelling to help adults and kids practise and master French speaking. During these workshops you will speak in context using fun games and improvisation which will considerably increase your confidence and help you memorize the vocabulary easily!
Avec les Griottes Polyglottes, vous osez, vous parlez et vous vous amusez !

Meikle Studio, Salmon Arm

ESCAPE The Everyday! The Social Art House Meikle Studio has an art class for all ages and skill levels, and a paint party for every occasion too. Stop by, they are based in Downtown Salmon Arm.

Reuse Bags, Port Moody

Reuse Bags are mesh bags for produce, made as an alternative to single-use plastic bags. Take them to grocery stores and reduce plastic consumption! Our project started from an interest to provide an alternative to single-use plastic bags for produce. Our bags are hand-made by a group of women in Mexico.

Skwalwen Botanicals, Brackendale

My ancestral name is Styawat and I am from the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation. Sḵwálwen (skwall – win) is an Indigenous business creating small batch botanical skin care products. Honouring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, we incorporate wild harvested plants and organic, high quality ingredients. Our wild plant ingredients are harvested in a sustainable and respectful way and each product has a Squamish name to honour the place where this plant knowledge comes from.

Sue’s Clotheslines, Creston

We have been in business since 2003 and for the last 6 years, we have chosen our Ministerial Christmas Hamper Fund as our Charity of Choice. Throughout the year we do fundraisings for by selling pocketbooks, selling crafts that we have made having garage sales and more. With the support of fellow merchants and residents of Creston, we also have a silent auction each year. When all of the fundraisers are done for the year we total up the dollars and the store matches the donations. We then add our silent auction amount to that.

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The Small Business BC Awards Gala will bring together over 600 small business owners, supporters, providers and government officials to network at a glittering reception and enjoy a three-course dinner, as we announce the winners of this year’s awards. The event takes place Friday, February 21, 2020 at Vancouver’s iconic Convention Centre.

Hosted by a special guest Emcee, this is THE event where small businesses are acknowledged for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their community and the BC economy.

Join us as we raise a glass in honour of the small businesses, on their night to shine on the podium.

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