16th Annual Awards Honor East Bay Small Businesses

Nearly two hundred people joined the East Bay Leadership Council in Concord on Friday to celebrate the 16th Annual Small Business Awards in conjunction with National Small Business Week.
 
The Awards were hosted by the EBLC, along with Title Sponsor Wells Fargo, and honored twelve small businesses selected by their local Chamber of Commerce that exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship, hard work, and community.
 
“Today we honor a law firm, two auto shops, a theater company, a pharmacy, a clothing boutique, and many more. Each different but all grounded in the desire to help the community,” said Kristin Connelly, President & CEO of the EBLC. “The diversity represented by these businesses highlight the diversity that makes the East Bay so dynamic.”
 
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL LIST OF HONOREES
 
Honorees were recognized for inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, enduring a recession thanks to sheer determination and brilliant marketing, providing much needed services to the vulnerable, bringing world-class performances to our backyard, getting to know each of their customers by name, serving the best pasta in town, and caring deeply for the communities they serve.
 
We are thankful to have many innovative businesses and growing opportunities here in the East Bay—something recognized by Alex Wilcox, the CEO of JetSuite, who provided the event’s keynote address.
 
JetSuite X, the newly-established program of JetSuite, chose Concord’s Buchanan Field as the location to help launch their new service.
 
“By far, the East Bay opened its arms the widest,” said Wilcox.  “The community made clear that they wanted JetSuite X here and they did everything they could to help us bring commercial flights to Concord after more than 20 years.”
 
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier also took the stage and shared his unique perspective as both a longtime elected official and a former small business owner.
 
“Small businesses create more than 50 percent of the jobs in California, but they are also a very important part of the cohesiveness of a healthy community,” said Congressman DeSaulnier as he reflected on his time managing restaurants across the Bay Area.
 
The EBLC could not agree more with Congressman DeSaulnier. These determined, creative, and community-driven businesses make the East Bay an incredible place to live and work and we were thrilled to help honor them.
 
“And though she be little, she be fierce,” said Honoree Susie Falk of the California Shakespeare Theater during her acceptance speech.
 
A line worth repeating as Small Business Week comes to a close and we continue to honor the small businesses that make such a big difference in our community every day of the year.