The Greensboro Chamber of Commerce does more than just try to bring together and aid Greensboro area businesses; the organization also takes time each year to recognize those businesses that are really contributing to the community.

To that end, on Thursday, May 8, the Chamber hosted its annual Small Business Awards event at Piedmont Hall at 2409 W. Gate City Blvd.

 The affair brought together a myriad of Greensboro businesses and members of the business community to honor and celebrate the achievements of local small business owners who’ve excelled and whose companies are really cooking.

According to the chamber, this year’s event spotlighted “the exceptional creativity, dedication, and community impact demonstrated by the many nominees.”

Thousands of votes were cast in support of the winning entrepreneurs.

Here are the various award winners for 2025.

Drum roll please…

  • Community Contributor Award: ALT HR Partners. This award pays tribute to an organization or individual that makes a big difference in the lives of the area’s small business community – contributing to its success as an advocate, champion, and tangible resource.
  • Culture Creator Award: Core Technology Molding Corporation. “Creating a company culture is not just for large corporations,” the chamber notes. The recipient of the Culture Creator Award is a small business that’s “intentional in creating and demonstrating a culture of inclusivity and equity.” They also continually invest in the “development and well-being of their employees.”
  • Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Steven Bell of Bell Partners. The Entrepreneur of the Year honor recognizes a person, or company, whose entrepreneurial success has brought about a thriving and sustainable business. This winner “continues to contribute in meaningful ways to our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
  • Ignition Award: Carson Creative. The winners of this award should be innovative, early-stage businesses according to Chamber officials, and be on everyone’s “Watch List.” They are deemed to be companies already thriving and contributing to the local economy as well as helping the city reach greater heights. Companies in this category must have launched in the past three years and must have already “ignited positive impacts on our community.”
  • People’s Choice Award: The Well Mind. This award is chosen by a popular vote of all of the nominees for Small Business Awards.

And last but certainly not least…

  • Small Business of the Year Award: New Garden Landscaping & Nursery. The winning company, according to the Chamber, exemplifies leadership in both the area of business and in giving back to the community. Community involvement, management practices, and overall financial performance are the primary criteria for the winners in this category.

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