Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce presents annual awards

The Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Awards Dinner on March 10 at Grand Meridian in Appleton. 

The night was all about celebration and applauding the individuals and businesses who have inspired others, demonstrated a commitment to our community and exhibited a vision that goes beyond business as usual. 

They recognized 10 outstanding members, who have exemplified the best of the best in the Heart of        the Valley business community throughout 2021.

Highlighting this year’s award recipients would not be possible without the support of event partners including presenting partner Community First Credit Union.

 

Inspiring Business Person of the Year

Dr. Chris Berkers

This award is given to a Chamber member who actively encourages and perpetuates business innovation, freely shares ideas, donates their time and talents and is a catalyst for the future of business. 

This year’s award recipient began his dental career while serving in the U.S. Navy. His pride for serving his country continues through his involvement with Northeast Wisconsin Old Glory Honor Flight where he serves as the president and medical coordinator. He operates a growing and successful dental practice and opened a new state of the art facility in Kaukauna in 2017. He is truly a servant leader who continuously looks to find ways to enrich our community and show compassion for those who are most vulnerable. He has impacted hundreds of families by volunteering    his talents at the Tri-County Community Dental Clinic, a volunteer clinic that since its inception has provided more than $31 million worth of dental services and has recorded over 120,000 patient visits.

He is an unparalleled champion to our veterans and an unwavering advocate for community health. 

This award recognizes an up and coming business and entrepreneur who exhibits a unique blend of vision, energy and the talent it takes to launch a new business. 

The award recipient lives and works by a simple motto of “Give, Serve, and Add Value.” This business was started in 2018 with a vision to embolden each client to live their best life and guide them on a journey of self-improvement and healthier living. In three short years, this business was positioned to grow and in 2021, this entrepreneur moved her business to Kaukauna where she found the space that was needed to take their work to the next level. 

Today this business has grown into a collective of nine health and beauty professionals operating under one roof and serving more than 600 clients. This year’s honoree has become emersed in the Heart of the Valley community and in addition to leading her team, she is a champion of small and local businesses. One client had this to say “Sydney has an incredible vision for what Wellness 360 is, will be, and what it can inspire others to do. They are on the way to being a titan in this community…I can’t wait to see what they do next.” 

 

Community Partner of the Year Award

Kimberly High School

This award recognizes a business, organization or public agency that has demonstrated a commitment to work with the chamber and the local communities to solve problems and enhance the future of the Heart of the Valley. 

About three years ago two business education teachers had a dream to bring entrepreneurship into the classroom and inspire a new generation of collaborators, communicators, and problem solvers. They had recently come across an “outside the box” program being offered at a few schools throughout the region that encouraged students to think and act like entrepreneurs and they made it their mission to bring that opportunity to our community. 

In 2020, with excitement and support from their school district, the wheels were in motion to launch the class in 2021. The first 25 students walked through the door this past September and into the first semester of the INCubatoredu program. 

The class is designed along the lines of Shark Tank, giving students an opportunity to develop their own business, learn essential steps to starting a business, and then ultimately pitch their business to a panel of judges/sharks to see whose idea reigns supreme.

In partnership with the Heart of the Valley Chamber, more than 30 small business owners and business professionals were gathered to bring their expertise and experience to the students through regular visits to the classroom where many volunteered to serve as coaches on business topics, while others devoted time throughout the semester to mentor and guide a team of students. This class is now in its second semester and is an exceptional model of how a partnership between our schools and business community can foster and inspire our next generation of entrepreneurs.

 

Small Business Achievement Award for Service

Clever K9s

This is a prestigious award that recognizes a business that is locally owned and demonstrates success and exceptional performance in business practices, customer service and community involvement. 

This local business began in 2007 and was founded on the proverb that every dog has his day. From the start, this entrepreneur has had a strong vision for his business beginning with customer service and being a true leader to his staff. His passion for his work carries over and is mirrored by each of his 40 staff members. As his business continued to grow and take shape, he began remodeling their building by adding new siding, roofing, windows and worked tirelessly to transform the building into an energy efficient, multifaceted building that serves hundreds of the four-legged residents of the Heart of the Valley. The improvements to the building have resulted in more robust services and now holds a grooming parlor, an agility course, classroom, retail area, boarding suites, fenced in play yards and a brand-new swimming pool. Service and community are values that are apparent in every interaction you have with this award winner. As a true community partner this business owner stepped forward as a member and leader of the City of Kaukauna’s K9 officer fundraising committee and rallied his employees and clients to raise funds which allowed them to donate the first full year of dog food for both of the city’s K9 officers. Longtime customer Kristi Strelchek had this to say, “The culture that Adam has built really shows in the tenure of both his employees and his customers. Providing jobs that people enjoy is invaluable and I can’t even put a price on knowing that I have a safe place nearby for our precious dogs. 

 

Business Partner in Education Award 

Nutritional Healing

This award recognizes a business that demonstrates an unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the Heart of the Valley by sharing their expertise and providing education to local school districts, nonprofit organizations, fellow businesses and the community as a whole. 

When it comes to perfect health, there are no shortcuts. This business was built from day one with a commitment to changing lives through health education and a scientific approach to nutrition. Over the past 12 years this company has been giving people throughout the Fox Valley a voice when it comes to getting their health back. Each and every employee operates on a core value of giving back to the community and using their expertise to inspire healthier families, schools and businesses. The dedication to their mission is evident is in the more than 100 educational partnerships they have established. Serving as a nutritional educator at assisted living facilities, teaching in high school classrooms, consulting with local nonprofits and designing corporate wellness programs is just the tip of the iceberg. The company offers a full you tube library devoted to health education and regularly appears on Fox 11’s Living with Amy to offer expertise and inspiration to the community, helping thousands to be more health conscious and reach their health goals. 

 

Small Business Achievement Award

Cradle to Crayons Learning Center

When an entrepreneur sees a need in the community they take action. This is exactly what this small business owner did in 2008 when she saw a local need for more licensed childcare options. Over the past 13 years this small business has been meeting that need and has been offering a level of learning and care that has resulted in continued growth and an enrollment that has seen a 300 percent increase in recent years. In 2021 and throughout a pandemic, that growth did not stop, and the business launched into a new phase of expansion, adding additional classroom space and updating their outdoor learning environment. 

Being a business owner in Kimberly and a Kimberly High School alum, giving back to the school district and community is a part of her passion. Over the past 10 years, she has welcomed students who are interested in the child care industry into her center to learn and train and has mentored more than 20 students. Many of those students have gone on to work in our community as educators, pediatric nurses and early childhood teachers. Working outside the walls of her business is just as important to this business owner and this shines through in her work on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, as an advocate creating public policy, a mentor to other childcare providers and a partner and resource to fellow businesses within the community. The chamber applauds this business for its continued growth in their field and for its corporate citizenship and investment in the Heart of the Valley. 

 

Large Business Achievement Award

Vande Hey Company

This award recognizes businesses with more than 50 employees that have demonstrated excellence in business affairs, while adding to the quality of life in the Heart of the Valley. 

As a member of the Heart of the Valley business community for over 70 years, this company is synonymous with spectacular outdoor living. They are an industry leader in creating customized outdoor spaces and one of the first to bring us many amenities including athletic courts, water features, outdoor kitchens and patios that serve as an extension of our homes.

Spanning more than three generations, this family business has been growing and innovating since their start in 1950. Together their traditional values and cutting-edge services have solidified a reputation that sets them apart from the competition. Their success has come from their vision to double down on customization and build divisions that allow them serve as experts in almost any service both residential and commercial. They have taken great care to build a team of professionals with the ability to deliver exactly what their clients ask for and oftentimes even more then their clients ever dreamed. 

 

Entrepreneurs of the Year

313 Dodge and 

Janel and Kyle Megna

This award recognizes an unstoppable local business owner who embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and isn’t afraid to take risks and drive their business forward.

The entrepreneurial spirit needed to flourish in times of uncertainty burns bright in this year’s award recipient. When the pandemic rocked even the most experienced business owners in 2020, this business had only recently celebrated its one year anniversary. With no blueprint to navigate the next 18 months this business exhibited a will to innovate and create a new business model that was both financially successful and provided our community with a safe outlet for entertainment centered around food, beverages and music. Over the coming months, not only did they survive, they thrived. This creativity was first seen in their execution of a new “Walk Up Window” pioneering a move to give customers the ability to purchase to-go craft cocktails. In addition, they reimagined the use of their driveway and patio to create a heated option for outdoor entertainment and developed an e-commerce site to keep up with the demand for takeout. Their social media accounts have captured the hearts of thousands and could be used as a case study in customer engagement. Their loyal fan base continues to grow and costumers look forward to their weekly unique cocktails creations and small plate dining options. 

This hard work and vision has put their business on the map making it a destination and attracting patrons from across the state. 

 

Cornerstone Award

Unison Credit Union

This award is not given out every year. Occasionally there is a special business or person that displays extraordinary achievements in business and in their community. They exhibit high moral and ethical values that have set a standard of excellence in the community and significantly improved the image, character and business climate of the Heart of the Valley. 

This business has roots that run deep in the Heart of the Valley and is one of the longest standing members of the Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce. This year’s recipient embodies a philosophy of people helping people, a value that shines through in everything they do. From community involvement, philanthropy, commitment to education as well as their reputation as a trusted financial institution and resource to their members. Their commitment to the community is mirrored by their employees and evident in their volunteerism, charitable giving and visibility in the community. A significant number of employees have over a 20 year tenure which speaks volumes not only to their culture and integrity as an employer but also to the expertise and knowledge that their employees bring to table while serving their members.

Their advocacy for financial literacy is second to none and each year their willingness partner with local elementary, middle and high schools to provide innovative programming and financial education grows. This honoree also believes inspiring future generations to give back to their community and provides annual scholarships to students who exemplify service to the community. 

 

Nonprofit of the Year

Volunteer Fox Cities 

This award is given to a nonprofit organization in recognition for creativity and innovation in building a sustainable organization and finding creative solutions to community challenges. 

This year’s award recipient is being recognized for its role as a leader in connecting nonprofits, businesses and volunteers in the Fox Valley. Volunteers are lifelines to nonprofit organizations and play a vital role in helping them to succeed in their missions. This organization has been a leader in shaping the spirt of volunteerism in the Fox Cities and supplies volunteers to more than 100 nonprofits in our area who could not operate without the time and talents of these crucial supporters. They work with more than 50 businesses to develop and customize corporate social responsibility plans and implement their community engagement programs. 

Throughout the uncharted waters of 2021, this organization has not only continued to grow but has helped many of the Fox Cities nonprofits to survive and thrive throughout the pandemic.