Celebrate Excellence & Innovation: Enter your Business today!
Family businesses, bloggers, sole traders, companies, non-profits, and individuals. Leaders, groundbreakers, disruptors, passionate, purpose-led, individuals focused on a bigger mission that inspires others. Our aim is to honour local people for their achievements. Nominate and enter yourself or nominate someone you know.
An independent judging panel will adjudicate the awards each year. Select a category and enter below. If you nominate a fabulous person you know, our team will contact them to advise of their nomination and invite them to enter. You can enter as many categories as applies to you.
Join us in cheering on the creative, hard-working, innovative individuals in small business.
Business Categories
Passion & Perseverance Award
This award honors a business that demonstrates relentless dedication and passion in their pursuit of success. It celebrates the spirit of resilience and the drive to overcome challenges.
Who should enter this award?
Startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who have faced significant hurdles and shown unwavering commitment to their goals.
One to Watch - Innovator, Fresh Ideas Award
This award celebrates an emerging business or entrepreneur who is introducing fresh, innovative ideas and solutions. It highlights those who show great potential for future success and influence.
Who should enter this award?
Startups, new businesses, and entrepreneurs with groundbreaking products, services, or business models.
Maverick Entrepreneur Award
This award celebrates a bold and innovative entrepreneur who has taken unconventional paths and shown extraordinary creativity and risk-taking in their business endeavors.
Who should enter this award?
Entrepreneurs and businesses known for their unique approaches, disruptive innovations, and willingness to challenge the status quo.
Summit Seeker Award
This category is for the best small business of the year with
up to 5 years trading.
Criteria:
If you've overcome challenges and achieved remarkable milestones early in your journey, this is your platform to shine as a true summit seeker.
Who should enter this award?
Ideal for retailers, online businesses, professional services, practitioners, creative industries, media industries, arts, technology, designers, therapists, home-based businesses.
If your business is under or at 5 years of trading at the time of entering.
Sponsored by Australian Tapping Institute
Solo Trailblazer Award
Recognising Micro-Business Innovators
This category celebrates remarkable sole-operator businesses that are blazing a trail all on their own. If you're driving your business forward single-handedly, this award is your chance to shine.
Criteria:
We are looking to recognize sole operator businesses that are developing their business/concept all on their own. These business owners have no permanent or part-time employees, however, may utilize online contractors.
Who should enter this award?
This category is for a sole trader, Someone who works alone in their business, a micro-business who works with contractors or entirely on their own. Ideal for bloggers, consultants, copywriters, therapists, and home-based businesses.
Sponsored by Susan Templeman MP
Dynamic Duo Award
Celebrating Longstanding Business Partnerships
Criteria:
This pair/group have been through highs and lows together, and are building a business from the ground up. They have put everything on the line for what they believe in and have been challenged and tested in their small business experience.
Who should enter this award?
This award is dedicated to couples or partnerships within small businesses who have journeyed together for 3+ years as of 2024.
If you've stood the test of time as a dynamic duo in business, this is your recognition.
Sponsored by HerSmile
On My Way Award
Best New Start Up Business
This category is best new business or start-up. A new business that has been operating under two years (as of January 2024)
Who should enter this award?
This category is for any new business that commenced trading from 2022. Ideal for: Retailers, leisure and tourism businesses, foodies, online businesses, professional services, practitioners, creative industries, construction, media industries, arts, technology, designers, therapists, home-based businesses.
Sponsored by Affordable Web Solutions
Wellness Warrior Award
This award honors a business or individual dedicated to promoting health and well-being, creating products or services that enhance the quality of life for their clients and community.
Who should enter this award?
Health and wellness companies, fitness centers, mental health advocates, and businesses focused on holistic well-being.
Coaching Excellence Award
This award recognizes a coach who has demonstrated outstanding skills in guiding individuals or businesses toward success, growth, and personal development.
Who should enter this award?
Business coaches, life coaches, mentors, and organizations offering coaching services.
Business Excellence Award -
Growth & Transformation
This award celebrates a business that has demonstrated remarkable growth and transformation, showing significant improvements and achievements over time.
Who should enter this award?
Growing companies, businesses that have undergone successful transformations, and those showing exceptional business development.
Business Excellence Award -
Professional Services
This award recognizes a business that provides outstanding professional services, demonstrating expertise, reliability, and excellence in their field.
Who should enter this award?
Legal firms, consulting agencies, marketing companies, and any business offering professional services to clients.
Money Maestro Award
This award celebrates a business or professional excelling in financial services, demonstrating expertise in managing, advising, or innovating within the financial sector.
Who should enter this award?
Financial advisors, accounting firms, investment companies, and businesses providing financial management services.
Voice of Influence Award - Podcast & Publishing
This award recognizes a podcast or publishing entity that has made a significant impact through compelling content, thought leadership, and engaging storytelling.
Who should enter this award?
Podcasters, authors, publishers, and media companies creating influential and inspiring content.
Customer Care Champion
This award honors a business that excels in providing exceptional customer service, ensuring customer satisfaction, and building strong, loyal customer relationships.
Who should enter this award?
Retail stores, service providers, hospitality businesses, and any company with a strong focus on customer care.