Strictly Business recently honored the winners of the first-ever Community Distinction Awards (CDA’s) on April 2nd at our inaugural CDA banquet and fundraising event held at Charlie’s on the Lake.  We were truly privileged to host and recognize such an amazing group of elite businesspeople who have all positively impacted the Omaha community and contributed to the success of so many others along the way.

Last year we set out to shine a light on those who go above and beyond to make a difference in their respective industries as well as in the community and as we suspected, there were no shortage of worthy nominees to choose from.  We greatly appreciate the opportunity to have considered many individuals and businesses as nominees, and feel very fortunate to have assembled such an amazing group of candidates who exemplify all of the qualities we sought to honor.

The nominees were judged by a panel of esteemed professionals on their ethics, community involvement and client/employee relationships.  Special thanks to our judges:  Larry Gomez, former Director of Small Business Services for the Greater Omaha Chamber; Karen Gibler, President of the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce; Sara Tangdall, Education Cordinator for the Business Ethics Alliance; Jenni Chelboun, President of the Western Douglas Chamber of Commerce; and Tara Lea, President of the Ralston Area Chamber of Commerce.

We’d also especially like to thank our event partner Limelight Expressions as well as all of our 2015 CDA event sponsors:  Cox Business, Stilettos Dryclean Delivery, McGill Restoration, Norm’s Door Service, Charlie’s on the Lake, and Vicky Lea Designs.

The event was held in support of The Hope Center for Kids, a local nonprofit organization who strives to faithfully inspire hope in North Omaha youth and children through education, employability, collaboration and faith.

The Strictly Business team extends our congratulations to this year’s winners and our thanks to everyone who contributed to making this year’s event a success!

So without further ado, we are proud to present the winners of the 2015 Strictly Business Community Distinction Awards:

Best in Construction/Real Estate Services – Absolute Customs Inc. www.absolutecustomsinc.com “Our greatest accomplishment would have to be that year over year we’ve seen growth.  Even during the recession we grew 127 percent every year.  In a recession people look for the best value for their dollar and we believe that our growth proves that we give outstanding quality.  We always stay true to our beliefs and business model.” – Larry Schroder, President of Strategic Operations, Absolute Customs Inc.

Best in B2B/B2C Services – Two Men And A Truck www.twomenandatruck.com “I am most proud of our 96% referral rate.  That means 96 out of 100 customers would recommend our services.  Moving is stressful, so we strive to exceed every customer’s expectations before, during and after the move.  We have a grandma rule: ‘To treat everyone the way you would want your grandma to be treated.’ It is a unique principal by which we live at Two Men And A Truck.” – Ronnie Buggs, Sales and Marketing Manager, Two Men And A Truck

Best in Financial/Banking Services – Benefit Professionals, Inc. www.benefitprofessionals.net “Most of our employer contacts have many roles and jobs they do for their company, and we feel it is our job to make the benefits side easier for them–not just once a year at renewal but every single day.  This allows them to keep their focus on maintaining and growing their business.  We handle the renewal, the employee communication and the everyday questions, whether they come from the business owner or the first day on the job employee.”  Lisa Daniels, Vice President, Benefit Professionals

Best in Senior Health – Elk Ridge Village Active Retirement Community www.elkridgeseniorliving.com “Each client is different and has their own individual expectations and needs, and every family has different needs and requires different attention.  We do our best to accommodate every client and his/her family.  Our director is big on finding the best resolutions and making sure everyone’s voices are being heard.” – Kristina Krumme, Director of Marketing for Independent Living, Elk Ridge Village

Best in Products – Headsetters  www.headsetters.com “Our greatest accomplishment and what we are most proud of is being a small business that has now been going strong and growing for 25 years.  We have several competitors that are ten times our size and by having great employees and continuing our product education we keep adding clients and are able to compete with the larger companies.”  Chelley Baack, General Manager, Headsetters

Best Networker – Michelle Schrage “I really, really enjoy getting to know as many people as I can – not for my own professional gain, but because I love knowing who I have the privilege of sharing this time on Earth with.  I find every person I meet interesting and I honestly have become a better person (even if just a little) from every person I get to know.” – Michelle Schrage, Marketing Director, Brokers Clearing House

Best Mentor – Gerry Phelan “Mentoring success is measured in the real progress and achievement made by others.  As a mentor I prefer to be challenged each time so that rather than teaching, I am learning along with the mentored person.  The role of a mentor does not require that you know the right answers but it does require that you ask the right questions.  The process should assist the mentee in his/her journey of discovery so that the individual learns how to succeed without you.”  – Gerry Phelan, Owner, Midwest Woodworkers, Inc www.midwestwoodworkers.com

Best Entrepreneur – Bryson “We started our tour business by giving rides to cancer patients, and ten years later, we are still able to pay it forward and give our Airboat Tours away at no charge to cancer patients and their families.  When I reflect on our ten years in business, giving rides to cancer patients with not much time left on this planet continues to be what I am most proud of along with our mission to go above and beyond for each and every one of our customers.  Business is just like the circle of life and the more you give out the more you will get back.” – Bryson, Owner, Bryson Airboat Tours  www.brysonsairboattours.com