It’s Time recognized as Business of the Year

Michelle Gerrard (left) presented Ineke Mack, owner of It’s Time Fashion and Gifts with the Business of the Year award at Monday’s Neepawa & District Chamber of Commerce AGM and gala evening.

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

On Monday, the Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting and gala dinner. The evening included two special awards recognizing the Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.
The Business of Year award was given to It’s Time Fashion and Gift. Michelle Gerrard, owner of Tru Hardware, presented the award to It’s Time owner Ineke Mack. Gerrard explained one of the reasons Mack was recognized is that her business is succeeding and growing where other small, independent clothing retailers are closing.  Her business is continuing to branch out into other areas including health and wellness.
Gerrard called Mack “a tech-savvy, innovative marketer” and praised her ability to successfully market her business using social media as well as traditional forms. She added that Mack is “a true entrepreneur, she has a vision and puts it into action”.
Mack was also recognized for her involvement in community boards.
Accepting the award, Mack said, “I’m so honoured.” She thanked her staff and family saying, “I can’t run my business by myself.”
Neepawa’s volunteer fire department was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.
During the AGM portion of the meeting, board treasurer Marvin Beaumont presented the financial report.  Beaumont explained that income was up, driven by a $2,000 increase in membership revenue.  Expenses were in line with previous years although wages were up as the Chamber office is now open two days a week as opposed to the one day a week it was open previously.
Beaumont also talked about Neepex, which generated $35,624 in income and had $40,011 in expenses.  The shortfall was made up by using the over $13,000 in seed money given to the Chamber by the Town of Neepawa from a surplus funds from Manitoba Homecoming.
Chamber president Amanda Naughton-Gale said in her report that the board has refocused on meeting the needs of the organization’s members, which has included efforts to engage members in education and training opportunities.
Naughton-Gale also talked about plans for Neepex 2012.  She explains, “We took feedback [from Neepex 2011] into consideration.” One of the bigger changes will be the elimination of an admission fee, booth costs will increase slightly to offset the loss of admission income. There will also be half-hour demonstrations put on by participants.
The Saturday night concert will feature Trooper.
She concluded by challenging the Neepawa business community to “think big, we’re on the cusp of rapid growth, we need to capitalize on the opportunities surrounding us”.
Board members for 2012 are Amanda Naughton-Gale, Jason Epp, Don Dufort, Al Gingles, Ken Waddell, Sheri Grant, Brad Bednarek, Troy Mutch, Ineke Mack and Marvin Beaumont.