The Portage la Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce held their best business awards on November 21, and several local businesses took home awards. 

The five awards were Outstanding Contribution to the Community, Outstanding Not-for-Profit, Outstanding Entrepreneur, Best Urban Indigenous Business, and Outstanding Business of the Year.

The event brought together some of the best and brightest in the city, and an enjoyable time was had by all in attendance.

Outstanding Contributions to the Community:

The first award of the night saw Apex Aesthetics, Olina Group of Companies, and Vanstone Nurseries being nominated. When the announcement was made, Apex Aesthetics were named the winners.

Rhonda McCallister took the stage to accept the award and says just being nominated was an honour.

"I heard at a different event that I was nominated, and I burst into tears because it meant so much to me to be recognized by our community because I love this community so much. I just think this is a very wonderful event and I'm completely honoured and humbled by the nomination."

She adds that winning wasn't just a personal achievement.

"Honestly, I was just so proud for my team. I believe when you support a team and love them and take great care of them, they're going to take great care of your clients. We believe in supporting our community, so any time we have an opportunity, we're always trying to think of ways we can support our community. We hire local people because we want to be part of this community, we love this community, raise our families here. So, honestly, we couldn't be more honoured, especially for that category."

Outstanding Not-for-Profit:

The next award saw three deserving local organizations, Portage la Prairie Revitalization Corporation, Portage Hurricanes Volleyball and Soccer, and Prairie Pregnancy Support Centre vying for the award. A video presenting the three organizations was played before the award winner was named, which named Prairie Pregnancy Support Centre the winner.

Mary Loewen, Executive Director for the centre was present to accept the award and says the award isn't something they take lightly.

"We've been open for six years, and I have met so many people in our community that are really, honesty trying to help people, and so I've been so blessed to meet people from different agencies, and we're starting to see more and more referrals from other agencies, as well as us getting to know them. That's one of the things we want to do, is to find places where we can send our clients. We can't do everything, and so, to know that there are different agencies that are also trying to help women in places where they have an unintended pregnancy. That's usually one piece of their struggle, there's a whole bunch of other things. So, it just feels good to be a part of this community, to be honoured by them and to work with them."

Outstanding New Entrepreneur:

Coco Nails Spa, Grey Phoenix Photography, and Rosts and Toasts were the nominees for the Outstanding New Entrepreneur, but the video on the screen announced Roasts and Toasts as the winner. Kellie Verwey, who was running the bar at the event, accepted the award with her fiancée, Travis Lundy.

Verwey says she was glad to have 

"Thankfully, at the back of the room, no one could see my reaction, I suppose, but I would say it was surprised. Thankfully, I had Travis beside me there to share that moment with and it was special. I don't think it's something we'll soon forget."

She continued by shouting out their supporters, noting, "We wouldn't be where we are today without the support of the community."

Best Urban Indigenous Business:

In the award's second iteration, three local businesses were in consideration. Artist Annie Beach, the Bannock Hut, and Soleful Footcare & Reflexology were nominated, and Annie Beach was presented with the award.

She notes that it was a bit of a leap of faith to get her business started in Portage.

"It was definitely a shock. To know that I've only been here for a couple of years, but I've connected with the right people, I've put in that hard work to make sure that the stuff that I'm doing here in Portage is having a lasting impact. So, it definitely was surprising, super honouring as well, I'm super grateful to even be considered."

She adds that she was prepared to put on the 'gracious loser' reaction, but that she was relieved to hear her name.

"I put a lot of faith into moving out here, and to move from my home of Winnipeg, to start my family here and to just trust that my business was going to find footing here. So, I'm definitely relieved that the work that I'm doing is paying off, it's having an impact, and it's growing."

Outstanding Business of the Year:

The final award of the evening saw another group of three businesses nominated. RHCS I.T. Services, Shewfelt's Plumbing and Heating, and The Farm Pet Retreat were in the running, and with some great videos outlining why each business deserved their nomination, RHCS I.T. Services was proclaimed the winner.

Richard Henderson received the award on the companies behalf and says find out about their nomination came f

"It was very unexpected. I actually heard it from a bunch of people I didn't know before I found out directly myself, so that was an interesting part, but I was very humbled to even be nominated."

Henderson adds that he got more and more nervous as the night went on, that by the time he was called up to accept the award, he had forgotten what he intended to say. He says the award is a testament to their desire to serve the residents of Portage la Prairie.

"I don't even know what to say. It's not something I was expecting, but it's such a huge honour and accomplishment for us. We're just getting started. We're really starting to dig our feet in to Portage and just help out anybody we can with their technology needs. Obviously, people are enjoying our services, and I just hope it grows even more from here."