The KOSBE’s 25th Anniversary

from VIPSEEN February 2020

MLK Walk in Bristol 2020

AUNDREA WILCOX AND DUSTIN MOHR AUSTIN AND KATIE WILLIS MOMMA MOLASSES (ELLA PATRICK) PAL BARGER WITH DAUGHTER, CHRISTY STOUT

The KOSBE’s 25 th Anniversary

EVENT COVERED BY LINDA COFFEY

A large crowd gathered to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of KOSBE Awards. The event took place on December 5th at MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center. As guests arrived, they enjoyed music provided by local favorite, Momma Molasses.

Aundrea Wilcox, Executive Director of KOSBE, welcomed the crowd and introduced the popular segment, “Couch Interview”. This year, Scott Robertson of the Business Journal, interviewed Jane Hillhouse and Jenny Kontos of Hillhouse Creative. The business began in 1984 as a means for Ms. Hillhouse to have a flexible schedule. She stated that “unintended consequences” caused growth in the early years. Jenny Kontos and family moved to the area from Pennsylvania, and after a few years of freelancing, a partnership between the two women was formed. The graphic design company is the oldest, continuously running creative marketing company in the Tri-Cities Region.

After an intermission, Ms. Wilcox began the Awards Ceremony by introducing the Crazy Coding Girls. A team of middle-school girls have formed an all-girl robot drone league.

The winners of the 2019 KOSBE awards were selected by an outside panel in order to maintain the integrity and quality of the competition.

Manufacturing Excellence – GSM Filtration Marketing Excellence – Beyond Engagement Impact Award – Don Royston New Business Excellence – The Salt Oasis Kingsport Retail Business Excellence – Duke & Fox LLC Woman-Owned Business Excellence – Flight Athletic Academy Service Business Excellence – Appalachian Maid Services LLC Construction Excellence – Patterson Homes Innovative Excellence – Action VFX Propel Surge Award – Taylor’s Martial Arts Academy Veteran-Owned Business Award – Rowan Tree Care Food Business Excellence – The Main Street Pizza Company Pillar of Excellence – Hunter, Smith & Davis Young Entrepreneur Business Excellence – ARO Creative Incorporated Gazelle Business Excellence – Mycroft Signs Hidden Gem Award – Hal Carmack

The Hidden Gem Award was a special moment with many employees of Pal’s, including Pal Barger, came forward to honor a local legend, Hal Carmack. Mr. Carmack has done tremendous work in the community, including designing and building twenty-six of Pal’s distinctive hot-dog -shaped restaurants. A standing ovation was given to Mr. Carmack for the guidance and support he has shared with many.

KOSBE is already looking forward to 2020 and will be introducing a new Small Business Rocks Video Competition during May, which is National Small Business Month.

AUDREA WILCOX WITH CRAZY CODING GIRLS