The Australian Small Business Champion Awards were held in Sydney over the weekend, with NSW companies winning 31 out of the 50 categories on the night.
Australia’s ‘better for you’ beverage brand, H2coco, was named ‘Champion Manufacturing’ with founder and CEO David Freeman also a ‘Small Business Champion Entrepreneur’ finalist at the awards.
“It’s truly an honour to accept the Champion Manufacturing award and be recognised nationally with this prestigious accolade,” David Freeman, H2coco founder and CEO said.
“Winning this award is a huge privilege and acknowledges the significant team effort involved in building the H2coco business into what it is today and taking it to the next level. I’m proud to have developed a company that is making strides in the ‘better for you’ category and extending it beyond coconut water. This recognition will assist us with our plans for further global expansion.”
North Sydney fresh food grocer, Forestway Fresh in Terrey Hills took home the top award in the Fresh Food category, while the award for best Pharmacy went to Kingswood Compounding Pharmacy.
The family run pharmacy has been in operation for 14 years offering a unique service with medicine tailor made to suit individual patient needs.
Pharmacist Adam Kennedy told Inside FMCG that the win was a “humbling experience”.
Kennedy said that the business is planning to grow its service to a wider range of people with Australia-wide delivery.
“Prices in the pharmacy haven’t gone up in 14 years. Price improves compliance,” Kennedy told Inside FMCG.
The award for best New Business went to hair care company Happy Hair Brush, which was set up by sisters Jen and Kate to make it easier to brush kids’ knotty hair.
“We are so thrilled to have been acknowledged for Champion New Business in such a prestigious National Award,” Jen Harwood, CEO and founder of Happy Hair Brush told Inside FMCG.
“Our business was started in very humble beginnings to solve the problem my sister and I had with our primary school girls knotty and always tangled hair. Now we are selling our brushes all over Australia and internationally too! Who would have thought a hair brush could change the lives of so many people?”
“If anyone is thinking of starting their own business, and they are on a mission to add value to humanity, not just to make money… then we say, go for it! The world needs your contribution!”
The Australian Small Business Champion Awards program recognise outstanding Australian small businesses and encourage high standards of excellence in small business practice. The awards are presented by Precedent Productions and supported by NOVA Employment and Castaway Forecasting.
“The Australian Small Business Champion Awards is a way to recognise the efforts of small business people whose efforts contribute to the prosperity and vitality of communities across Australia,” Steve Loe, managing director of Precedent Productions and founder of the awards said.
“As a small business owner myself, I know the vision and dedication to excellence required to succeed. These traits have been displayed in abundance by all of our 2019 Small Business Champions.”
