Spark and Torch Award Recipients Honored by BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston

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Recipients of the BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston’s Business of the Year Torch Awards and Spark Awards were named at a ceremony held on Wednesday, November 01, 2023 at Seawell’s.

BBB Serving Central SC and Charleston presents the Business of the Year Torch Award each year to companies that exemplify ethical behavior and display integrity in all aspects of their operations. The Torch Awards are open to all businesses located within the Midlands and Lowcountry regions. Nominees are offered the opportunity to submit an entry to the BBB, where a panel of judges from SCORE review the entries and choose the winners. SCORE’s mission is to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.

The Spark Award honors eligible social entrepreneurs, startup founders and new business owners that embody and cultivate the Three C’s of Trust: Character, Culture and Community. Businesses located within the Midlands and Lowcountry regions must be in operation for at least 6 months but not more than 3 years at the time of application. Nominees are reviewed by the SCORE panel of judges.

Please join us in congratulating the following businesses on being named the 2023 BBB Business of the Year Torch Award Recipients and the 2023 Spark Award Recipient.

Small Business: Palmetto Freight Carriers
Medium Business: Timmy Hayes Moving
Large Business: Galeana Automotive Group
Spark Award: Oceanview Heating & Air Conditioning Repair

“This is always an inspiring event”, said Chris Hadley, President and CEO of the BBB serving Central SC and Charleston. “BBB is committed to its principles of Trust and Ethics in the marketplace. We appreciate the ongoing support from all our Accredited Businesses. BBB is especially pleased to highlight the outstanding work of our Business of the Year Torch Award Recipients and the Spark Award Recipient.”

More than 100 business owners, employees and community leaders attended the ceremony. Cherelle Turner performed the National Anthem to kick off the event. The Featured Speaker for the Awards Dinner was U.S. Army Major General Jeff Jones, who discussed the sacrifices our military heroes make each day to allow us to live in the land of the free. Major General Jones shared his message about remembrance, respect, responsibility, and trust.

Photography was provided by Jessica Hunt Photography, and photos will be made available once they have been provided to BBB.

The evening also featured the election of new Officers for the Board of Directors for 2024:

Chris Morrison, Chairman Terratec
Gwendolyn Rivers, Vice-Chair Caro-Smart Financial Solutions
Rick Durkee, Treasurer Coastal Financial Planning
Matt Thompson, Secretary Splash Omnimedia
Tom Moses, Legal Counsel Southeast IP Group
Edgar Alewine, Past-Chair Jim Hudson Automotive Group
Harris Eckstrom Carolina Business Equipment
Tom Moore Edgewater Sports Marketing
Tommy Miles

SPARK AWARD SPONSOR: LOVE PLUMBINIG AIR & ELECTRICAL

Sponsors for the event were: Caro-Smart Financial Solutions, Charleston Animal Society, Coastal Financial Planning Group, Deserved Comfort House Cleaning, DOOR TO DOOR FLOORS, Jim Hudson Automotive Group, Splash Omnimedia, and Terratec

Thank you to the businesses who were nominated for the Spark Award:

Dirty Chimney, LLC
Girl Go Hustle, LLC
Janet Accounting LLC
Lactation Station & More
New Life Financial, LLC
Oceanview Heating and Air Conditioning Repair
Our Town Magazine
Palmetto State Exteriors
Peak Exteriors, LLC
Springdale Cleaning Services
Wright Security Camera Services, LLC

Thank you to all businesses who were nominated for the Business of the Year Torch Award:

Large Business Category
Finkel Law Firm, LLC
Galeana Automotive Group
Great Southern Homes
Holy City Heating & Air, LLC
Midlands Landscape & Lawn
Palmetto State Armory

Medium Business Category
Booze Pops
CIS Patrol Services, LLC
Crosby Roofing Columbia
Daniel Wealth Management
Dorchester Paws
Gymnastics Academy of Charleston
International Construction Services, Inc.
Mt. Pleasant Auto Service Center
South Crescent Construction
Stewart Law Offices
Synergy Spray Foam & HVAC
Timmy Hayes Moving
Zenergy Games and Collectables