You selected Customer Connection

You selected Doing Good

You selected Going Green

You selected Rising Stars

You selected Staying Power

Category description

These businesses are building strong relationships in unique and impactful ways and making their mark with their customers. Examples of how your business may be a fit for this category include:

• Offering fully personalized products, communications or experiences to your customers;
• Customer service practices that put your customer at the forefront – whether that’s speedy response times, unique ways of resolving customer pain points or something entirely new that is shaking up the customer experience;
• Innovative ways of rewarding customer loyalty that keeps your customer base coming back time and time again.

Category questions

You will have 500 words to answer the below questions

1. Please describe your business – what products or services do you offer, and share what motivated you to start it?
2. What business practices have you implemented to create an impactful customer experience that drives customer loyalty?
3. Please share an example of a customer interaction that highlights your dedication to excellent customer service?

Category description

These businesses have a positive impact on the lives of Canadians in their community and beyond. Examples of how your business may be a fit for this category include:

• Offering products or offering services tailored to uplift and empower members of your local community or the country at large;
• Implementing business practices such as hiring practices or local engagement efforts to support, enable and uplift Canadians;
• Creating products or delivering services focused on empowering specific communities (ex. BIPOC, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+, etc)

Category questions

You will have 500 words to answer the below questions

1. Please describe your business – what products or services do you offer, and share what motivated you to start it?
2. What business practices do you implement to positively impact your community and/or your employees? For example, do you engage in charitable initiatives, offer mentorship opportunities, or support local suppliers.
3. Please share an example of how your business’ actions align with your community goals. 

Category description

These small businesses have shaped their business around protecting the environment and prioritizing sustainability in all they do. Examples of how your business may be a fit for this category include:

• Creating sustainable products whether they be made from recycled goods, upcycled, reusable, compostable or otherwise environmentally friendly;
• Offering services focused on reducing environmental impact with your business and community;
• Implementing and adhering to business practices focused on reducing the environmental impact of your business such as purchasing carbon offsets, sustainable shipping practices and/or product recycling programs to recover used packaging.

Category questions

You will have 500 words to answer the below questions

1. Please describe your business – what products or services do you offer, and share what motivated you to start it?
2. How does your product or service support sustainability, and how do you track its impact?
3. Please provide an example of how your business supports protecting the Canadian environment?

Category description

These businesses are less than two years old and seeing immense growth, on track to being the next big thing. Your business fits this category if you began operating on or after April 14, 2023.

Category questions

You will have 500 words to answer the below questions

1. Did you launch your business on or after April 14, 2023?
2. Please describe your business – what products or services do you offer, and share what motivated you to start it?
3. What actions, such as marketing, partnerships, or product offerings, played a key role in driving fast growth and early success for your business? 
4. Please provide examples that showcase the results of how the actions from question 3 contributed to your business success. 

Category description

These businesses have been supporting their communities for over two years through their resilience, commitment, and evolution. Tell us how you’ve had to adapt your business, respond to challenges on the road to where you are now. Your business fits this category if you began operating before April 14, 2023.

Category questions

You will have 500 words to answer the below questions

1. Did you launch your business before April 14, 2023?
2. Please describe your business – what products or services do you offer, and share what motivated you to start it?
3. What steps have you taken to solidify your business over the years such as expanding or refining your product offerings, improving your services, or expanding your customer base?
4. Please share an example of actions you’ve taken to drive growth and build a strong brand.