Entrepreneurship is a hard thing to get right. Yet 86% of our membership at the Chamber represents small businesses in our economy. If that isn’t a testimony to a strong entrepreneurship mindset in Halifax, I do not know what is.
We want to start the year off right, and we want to make sure we celebrate our entrepreneurs that are making a mark in their industries. For those who were nominated, who became finalists, and those who will win on our magical night at the 2023 Halifax Business Awards, know that we see you, we recognize you, and we celebrate you all.
To my friends in the non-profit sector: your tireless work making our communities what they are is not forgotten. We may be entrepreneurs, but we also reside in the communities you make better for us all, and we celebrate you as well. Your work in our community is tireless; know that we appreciate all you do, and we look forward to celebrating you as well.
To the leaders defining what Halifax is and will be, salutations! You are our very best and you will be joining a long list of leaders that have helped shape the Halifax you live, work, and play in today. Cheers to you, those who support you, and those you uplift!
Recognizing oneself is not easy. We coined a phrase in our early days at WeUsThem: “Be Humble, Not Shy.” Humility is great, but don’t forget to take a bow. You deserve it, and we want to hear about it.
I want to use this space to thank everyone who made the 2023 Halifax Business Awards possible. Thank you to our Judging committee (who read and adjudicated over 100 applications this year), our dedicated Chamber staff (who oversee the submission process and plan our annual gala), and the businesses who took the time to submit. A special thank you also goes to our dedicated sponsors. Thank you to our Presenting Partner RBC and to our Category Partners: BoyneClarke, CN, Invest Nova Scotia, Medavie, Dalhousie University Rowe School of Business, BDC, and Grant Thornton. You make it possible to celebrate the best Halifax has to offer and your continued support of these awards are a testimony to your recognition of the life blood of our economy.
To those who attend the gala, I want to thank you for coming to celebrate the best Halifax has to offer. I also have an ask of you: it has been a tough time for business, so let’s make it a night to remember. Cheer as loud as you can and use your social media fingers to show your love online with the hashtag #HBA2023. They deserve it and more. My thanks again — your attendance reaffirms what I have always known: our community always comes together to celebrate each other.
While there will be a lot of cheering on the night of the event, I will also be looking to cheer you on in Business Voice magazine. I look forward to connecting with each one of you as I continue to learn about the wonderfully diverse organizations and individuals that make our city great.
With that, make sure you get your outfits in time from a local designer or business, calm those butterflies, and see you at the gala! Share your thoughts and recommendations with me at weusthem.com.
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