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Chamber of commerce recognizes businesses and entrepreneurs

The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce recognized Desjardins Caisse Populaire des Voyageurs as its company of the year at its annual Bell Business Excellence Awards gala Thursday night.
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The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce recognized 10 local businesses and entrepreneurs at its annual Bell Business Excellence Awards gala Thursday night. Photo by Jonathan Migneault.
The Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce recognized Desjardins Caisse Populaire des Voyageurs as its company of the year at its annual Bell Business Excellence Awards gala Thursday night.

The chamber of commerce recognized 10 businesses and entrepreneurs for their excellence and success in the community.

“Although from different sectors, this year’s award recipients have common elements that define their success,” said Geoff Jeffrey, chair of the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce. “They are visionary leaders and organizations that inspire, they embody a mindset of excellence and service and promote a workplace culture committed to innovation.”

The chair's award went to Moran Mining & Tunnelling Ltd., while the entrepreneur of the year was Rob Tkachuk, the owner of the Canadian Tire in Hanmer.

“We've been in Sudbury for quite a while. It's a family owned business and we work hard through the good times and the bad,” said Jason Moran, Moran Mining and Tunnelling's vice-president of operations. “It kind of feels nice that people see we've been supporting the local economy for so many years. It's a nice pat on the back.”

Tkachuk, who built the Canadian Tire in Hanmer eight years ago, gave credit to his staff for his recognition as entrepreneur of the year.

“They're the ones who do the real hard work and present our store the way it's presented on a daily basis,” he said.

Other awards recipients were TownePlace Suites by Marriott, for service excellence; Adoro Olive Oils & Vinegars, for new venture; Stack Brewing, for business start-up; New Day Wellness, for small enterprise; Jannatec Technologies Inc., for innovation; Legacy Events Inc., for hospitality; and Danièle Gervais, the owner of Optimum Health Center, won the award for young entrepreneur of the year.

Gervais said she fell into entrepreneurship by accident when she had trouble finding work in her field after university.

“I thought I would get a nice cozy job but I found it really challenging to find something I was passionate about,” she said.

To stay in Sudbury she started Optimum Health Center, which provides a wide range of athletic therapies.

This year, the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce received more than 70 nominations for local businesses around Greater Sudbury.

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Jonathan Migneault

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