Chamber’s IMPACT Award recipients offer inspiring stories
The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce honored 10 small businesses Thursday at the Phoenician resort as its 2010 IMPACT Award recipients.
Full profiles of each appear on the chamber’s website but, in a nutshell, here are some of their stories:
2010 Business of the Year: Re/Max New Heights Realty
Victor Vidales launched his firm to lift the people and community of South Phoenix. It’s a family operation with his wife and three sisters, and it now employs 23 people. He works with the entire community to make the area a better place for all.
IMPACT for Innovation: AArrow Advertising
You’ve seen these guys around town, spinning large arrows in front of businesses to get drivers’ attention. It was started six years by high schooler Robert Graham. He now has an army of spinners deployed across the United States, in Canada and in South Korea. He calls the firm the largest guerrilla marketing company in the world.
IMPACT for Community Involvement: InMedia
Formerly Media Publishers Group, InMedia creates print, digital and film content for its clients. CEO Rick McCartney was praised for his service on non-profit boards and the company’s support of fundraising activities.
IMPACT for Company Culture: David and Sam PR
David Eichler and Sam Alpert set out five years ago to create a workplace they would enjoy coming to. With a staff of six, the duo operates a business on trust, independence, flexibility, concern and fun.
IMPACT for Responding to Adversity: Arizona Air Boutique
Angela and Mario Lepore like to say they enjoy passing gas. That attitude reflects the fun and spontaneity they promote with their helium balloon displays. When some promotional budgets were cut, they diversified into other gases, like CO2 for some restaurant chains and nitrogen for tire shops and breweries.
IMPACT nominee: 1800 Automotive
Bogi Lateiner studied to become a lawyer but soon went back to her passion, auto repairs. She launched her business at 7th Avenue and Minnezona in Phoenix with the intent of creating a shop 180 degrees from what you expect. She looks to educate customers, particular other women, on how vehicles operate, what might need to be fixed and why, and how not to get taken.
The overall flavor of the event was one of entrepreneurship, ambitions, facing challenges and working toward success.
Tagged as IMPACT, Phoenix Chamber, small business
Categorized as Business
Thanks so much for the mention on your blog! Angela (the owner) and I were talking about how it’s such an honor to be recognized among the best in the Valley with so many other wonderful small businesses.