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Women entrepreneurs dominate the 2023 list of Small Business BC Awards winners

Each champ will receive $10,000 in cash, plus business services.

By Rushmila Rahman /

Credit: Small Business BC Awards 2023

Each champ will receive $10,000 in cash, plus business services

Small businesses are resilient by nature, especially in B.C. With competition flooding nearly every industry in the province, all ventures, big and small, have to ride the innovation wave to keep their heads above the water. And that’s exactly what this year’s winners of the Small Business BC Awards are doing, if not more. 

To celebrate its 20th year honouring B.C.’s top small businesses, Small Business BC (SBBC) held a gala on June 2 to award the winners. Prior to the event, the Vancouver-based nonprofit picked five finalists out of 613 nominees from 84 communities in B.C. based on 74,000 public votes and responses. Like last year, each finalist pitched their businesses to a judging panel that selected a winner for four different categories: the premier’s people’s choice award for community impact and loyalty; the e-commerce experience award for frictionless customer experience online (sponsored by the Canada Digital Adoption Program); the business impact award for social responsibility; and the best youth entrepreneur award.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” said the Honourable Brenda Bailey, minister of jobs, economic development and innovation, in a release. “They provide jobs, drive innovation, and create opportunities for people living in British Columbia.” 

Some 6,000 businesses have participated in the competition over the last 20 years. Women entrepreneurs dominated this year’s list of winners, each of whom will receive $10,000 in cash plus advisory services from Small Business BC and professional videography from Vancouver-based media company (and SBBC’s awards partner), True Calling. 

The results are as follows:  

  • Business Impact Award Winner: Brittany and Matt Giesbrecht, The Speckled Sow Butchery & Market, Vanderhoof 
  • Best Youth Entrepreneur Winner: Jackie Rhind and Christina Witzel, Ovry, Revelstoke 
  • E-Commerce Experience Award Winner: Robyn Mair and Monika Scott, Mint Cleaning, Uclulet 
  • Premier’s People’s Choice Award Winner: Leslie Hanes, Discovery Fabrics, Campbell River  

“For 20 years, the Small Business BC Awards has offered a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their drive and determination while receiving the recognition they so greatly deserve,” added Tom Conway, CEO of SBBC. “These are some of the most creative, passionate and resilient people, and it’s truly our honour to share their stories through the Small Business BC Awards.”