Beacon: 2023 Toast To Trusted Leaders

Toast To Trusted Leaders

Toast to Trusted Leaders

Thank you for celebrating BBB’s ‘Toast to Trusted Leaders’ event with us and honoring businesses and students exemplifying integrity, trust, and leadership within our community. Tonight, we raised our glasses to those who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to ethical conduct and community engagement.

Tomorrow and in the future, please continue to support these exceptional leaders whose outstanding contributions inspire a future built on Trust.

About BBB Center for Character Ethics

BBB’s Center for Character Ethics is a non-profit organization focused on serving businesses, social enterprises, startups, and non-profit organizations. Our mission is to provide assessment, training, and recognition programs for current and future leaders who are intentional about character, culture, customers, and community.

BBB Torch Awards for Ethics were established to publicly recognize local companies that have practices in place that elevate their commitment to ethical business. This year, 27 finalists were chosen for BBB Torch Awards for Ethics:

Acloché

Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, Inc

Ahola Payroll & HR Solutions

Behaviorist Perspective, Inc

Body Ache Escape Massage Center

Color World Painting

DPG Senior Signature Solutions

Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC

Technicians

Enduring Minds the Foundation

HazMatOhio, LLC

J Money, LLC

KatBro, Ltd

Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

JUDGES

Tracey Fate

Adam Koos

Shannon Lee

Marchelle Moore

Parag Shah

Ohio Basement Authority

Ohio Family Dentistry

Petland, Inc

Precision Slate and Tile Roofing Company

Real Music Records, LLC

Reliable Staffing Resources

Richardson Marketing Group, LLC

Sights Unseen Travel

Snappy’s Automotive

The Law Office of David G. Bale

The Law Office of Dmitriy Borshchak

Universal Windows Direct of Columbus West Ohio Tool Co.

Wood & Brewer, LLC

BBB Torch Awards for Ethics winners demonstrate a high level of Character; foster an authentic Culture; generate trust with their Customers; and make an impact with their Community. These “four C’s” are the basis for the Torch Awards selections.

Acloché provides HR services, employee training, and innovative staffing solutions for regular and temporary employment in a wide array of business environments. With more than 50 years of experience as a fullservice workforce solutions agency, Acloché connects local employers and job seekers throughout central Ohio. “At Acloché, we know people.”

Acloché’s core vision and business function revolve around three essential relationships: clients, associates, and employees. Clients perceive Acloché as an indispensable extension of their businesses, relying on them as experts in workforce recruitment and development. Acloché is committed to going above and beyond just “filling an order” for their clients and is intentional about gaining a thorough understanding of each client’s goals.

Associates consider Acloché an advocate for their career goals, matching them with suitable positions and providing career advancement. Acloché ensures that associates know their worth and are paired with a compatible employer that provides growth for their future. Internal employees find Acloché a place for professional development, with rewards tied to solving client challenges. Acloché is committed to sustainable and intelligent expansion, focusing on success and profitability, and aims to be a model of high performance, with a clear structure, collaboration, and technology investment driving its vision forward.

Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, Inc takes pride in being central Ohio’s trusted HVAC Trane Dealer. Their expertise lies in the installation and maintenance of both residential and commercial HVAC Systems, including advanced solutions like Geo-Thermal, Navien, and Generac Generators. With a commitment to excellence, Advanced Heating and Cooling Services prioritizes doing what’s right for consumers, tailored to their specific needs.

Their motto? “Don’t just repair the furnace - make the area around it cleaner than before, polish the furnace, take the trash out for the customer. We have had calls from people who have seen our vans stopping to help people in accidents. Sometimes they just might listen to an elderly customer talk for a bit and we make sure we don’t charge that customer for the time.”

Community support is at the heart of Advanced Heating and Cooling Services, proudly sponsoring various local events, from the Summer Concert Series to the Hospice Halloween Ball, to organizing events like Good Neighbor Day for town clean-ups, and participating in philanthropic activities like Bowl for Kids Sake, Festival of Trees, and the Carr Center Cake Auction. Their community commitment also extends to preventive maintenance for the local Battered Women’s Shelter Transitions, sponsoring the Salvation Army Red Kettle, and offering scholarships for skilled trades education.

Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians provides round-the-clock live answering, convenient online scheduling, and reliable, expert services in plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling, water heater repair, drain and sewer, and water treatment throughout greater Columbus and central Ohio.

Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians employ various strategies to unite their team around their mission and core values, fostering a sense of purpose and understanding among team members. Visual aids display the company’s mission statement, core values, and guarantees, serving as constant reminders of their goals and commitment. Internal communications are a crucial aspect of their company culture, with regular one-on-one and quarterly conversations between team members and managers. Company meetings and morning huddles communicate long-term and short-term goals, foster motivation, and celebrate achievements while maintaining transparency and empowerment.

Eco Plumbers University is an integral dedicated training program designed to educate and empower the company’s new plumbing professionals with high level technical training on Eco’s unique service system, creating both a rewarding career and well educated and responsible services to consumers. The company also emphasizes celebrating individual and company achievements, utilizing tools like Bonusly to recognize and reward team members for their contributions and customer reviews. These practices contribute to Eco’s strong organizational culture, alignment, motivation, and commitment to their mission and core values, ultimately fostering individual and collective growth within the company.

Petland, Inc. began in 1967 as a single pet store on South Paint Street in Chillicothe, Ohio. Since then, it has evolved into a global organization, spanning over 300 operations across eight countries, including the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, El Salvador, and Saudi Arabia, as well as nearly 24 U.S. states. At the heart of Petland’s mission is the commitment to match the right pet with the right customer, nurturing the unique bond between humans and animals. This vision was the brainchild of its founder, Ed Kunzelman, who aimed to create a positive and enriching experience for visitors to his store. Petland’s mission now extends to enhancing the knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond for those who already have pets.

Employees are recognized for their achievements in sales, community engagement, and customer service. Through Petland Charities, the organization and its employees actively champion various causes, including ending inhumane breeding practices in the pet industry, supporting rescues and shelters, combating pet homelessness, and facilitating meaningful connections between pets and people. Petland has made a substantial impact through initiatives such as granting nearly 1000 “Make a Wish” requests for children, supporting service dogs for veterans, providing for police K9 service dogs, aiding abandoned or unwanted pets, and raising significant funds for St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Petland’s commitment to community service is integral to its corporate-owned stores, with employees and teams regularly engaging in activities that support local charities, animal rescues, and shelters. This dedication to both its customers and the broader community underscores Petland’s mission to promote the well-being and happiness of pets and their human companions.

BBB Spark Awards recognize entrepreneurs 35 and under or those in business for three years or less who demonstrate high character, authentic culture, and connect with the community.

This year’s winners are:

Abundant You Chiropractic & Wellness

E&E Tea Co.

Third Street Digital WayMakers Restoration

JUDGES

Nevin Bansal

Lauren Edwards

Maggie Humphrey

Manny Larcher

Jay Lindner

Esther Salata

Congratulations Spark Award Winners

JUDGES

Founder & CEO, StartBlox, Inc.

Abundant You Chiropractic & Wellness is not just a healthcare provider. They’re a vital force, nurturing the well-being of their patients and community. Their commitment to character, transparency, and ethics, combined with their focus on continuous improvement, has created a trusted and patient-centered chiropractic office.

Mike Cook Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, RevLocal

Their active involvement in the community reflects their dedication to promoting health and well-being beyond their practice - creating a story of transformation, impact, and wellness.

Derek DeHart Head of Product, battleface

Lauren Edwards Principal, Next Step Business Consulting

Abundant You offers complimentary services such as spinal screenings and educational workshops, donates to local charities, and pursues strategic community partnerships. The clinic actively collaborates with local organizations, healthcare providers, and wellness professionals to address community health challenges, promote preventive care, and provide comprehensive support systems for individuals in need.

Adam Koos President, Sr. Financial Adviser, Libertas

Katie Robinson Co-Founder & CMO, Fortuity

Renter Mentor*

Prescription Bliss

Fonte Cucina*

Veteran Companion Animal Services*

Branch Insurance

E&E Tea Co., the purveyor of high-quality organic loose leaf and herbal teas, exemplifies a winning blend of character, culture, and community engagement. The company’s leadership, steeped in transparency and a commitment to personal growth, fosters a culture of trust and continual improvement. They actively seek feedback from team members, contractors, volunteers, and customers, showcasing their genuine desire to provide the best for all involved.

Their dedicated small team, including family members and supporting entrepreneurs, collaborates to achieve common goals and give back to various communities. E&E Tea Co.’s focus on healing and well-being extends through their support of organizations like Enduring Minds, the Black Magic Burlesque show, Pilot Dogs Inc., ROX Ruling Our Experience Girls group, and Fallen 15. E&E Tea Co. doesn’t just offer a perfect cup of tea; they infuse their positive impact and dedication to holistic well-being throughout the central Ohio community.

2021 SPARK CLASS

Congratulations Spark Award Winners

Third Street Digital is a pioneering all-women digital agency with standout commitment to a people-first approach. The agency’s exceptional character and culture are underpinned by 11 core values: Trust & Transparency, Education, Community Impact, Innovation, Data & Analysis, Partnership, and Evolution. These values are the foundation for its unique environment of trust and open communication. Their dedication to internal growth, including educational stipends and a balanced work-life approach, has been instrumental in fostering a thriving team. Their physical office space serves as a hub for camaraderie, embracing flexibility and autonomy while promoting accountability, further strengthening their culture of trust.

What truly sets Third Street Digital apart is their unwavering commitment to the community. Actively engaging with non-profit organizations and local efforts, they offer their digital expertise to create meaningful impact. The organization’s own Pixie Partner Program is a unique initiative supporting minority-owned businesses, non-profits, and organizations by providing education, training, and strategic guidance related to digital advertising and marketing. Third Street digital’s culture embraces giving back, with many team members volunteering with various organizations, showing that community focus is not just an initiative but an integral part of their daily operations.

Waymakers Restoration is a distinguished emergency services restoration company specializing in emergency water and fire cleanup in Central Ohio. At the company’s heart is a profound commitment to character. Their leader sets a powerful example, emphasizing the importance of serving and loving people. They embrace values like transparency, honesty, and going the extra mile, which are not just words but the foundation of their identity. The company’s unique hiring mantra, “Don’t lie, don’t steal, be loyal,” ensures that their team is aligned with their character-driven approach. This focus on character extends to relationships with clients, where they treat every customer as family, regardless of circumstances, ensuring lasting impressions and outstanding reviews.

This focus on character not only translates to the high-quality service they provide but also to their commitment to the community. The company’s WayMakers Foundation helps single parents, widows, domestic violence survivors, and individuals in need by providing essential items. They also conduct blanket drives, school supplies drives, and volunteer to assist veterans. Waymakers Restoration’s success is not just about what they do but who they are as a company, embodying the spirit of being a true WayMaker.

The BBB Students of Integrity Scholarship recognizes 10 local high school seniors who exhibit high character through leadership, community service, integrity, and academic performance.

Each of the following students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice:

Alexa Morales-Lopez, Bishop Ready High School

Arya Chabria, Columbus Academy

Connor Fulton, London High School

Emma Lucas, Federal Hocking High School

Kaitlyn Hughes, Grove City High School

Kaleb Randall, Fredericktown High School

Kenzie Hannahs, Northridge High School

Nathaniel Palaia, South-Western Career Academy

Reese Cordonnier, Marysville High School

Trinity Gayle, Metro Early College High School

Congratulations students!

JUDGES

Erin Ensign

Janet Tressler Davis

Scott Failor

Jacqueline LaMuth

Hillary Bates

Theresa Potter

Congratulations