BOISE METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES THE 2011 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

BOISE, ID – (June 29, 2011) The spirit of the Small Business Awards is to recognize those businesses that have a history of outstanding business practices in the Boise community.  This award honors the entrepreneurship, sustainability, productivity and effort put forth in a small business.  The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2011 Small Business of the Year Award Winners: 

• The Car Park
• Episciences
• Ladd Family Pharmacy

All three companies are great examples of the entrepreneurial spirit so vital to the success of small business throughout the Boise metro area.  The Chamber of Commerce applauds their hard work, perseverance, and contributions to the community.
Judging criteria:

• Staying power
• Growth in number of employees
• Increase in sales and/or unit volume
• Innovativeness of product or service offered
• Response to adversity
• Contributions by company to aid community-oriented projects

Company Bios:

The Car Park - Owns, manages and leases parking lots and garages, provides valet parking and offers consulting services to a wide range of clients across the U.S. The company was founded in June 2003 through the acquisition of 8 parking lots from AMPCO Parking.  They currently own, manage and leases 101 parking facilities in four cities, comprising just over 12,000 parking spaces and over $4 million in gross customer parking services. For more information visit www.carparkusa.com.

Episciences , Inc.- Founded in 2002 and based in Boise, Episciences, Inc, integrates twenty-plus years of research into the development of a highly effective cosmeceutical, non-prescription, dermatological product line. This breakthrough product has been proven effective by over 12 independent clinical studies to reverse and prevent the effects of visible skin aging and certain common skin diseases. Epionce® is a comprehensive and innovative skin wellness line designed to optimize the appearance and health of the skin by working at the core of the skin's own protective and reparative systems. For more information visit www.epionce.com.

Ladd Family Pharmacy - Offers complete pharmacy services including prescriptions, medication compounding, counseling and consulting. Seeing a gap in local pharmacy services, pharmacist Elaine Ladd jumped at the chance to open a full-service independent pharmacy in Boise in July 2008. They pride themselves on building relationships with customers and adding value through advice on health and wellness. The pharmacy's location is at 1109 S. Broadway Ave., Boise, and more information can be found at www.laddfamilyrx.com.

Nominations for next year's winner begins in April 2012.

BOISE METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES THE 2011 NONPROFIT "MAKING A DIFFERENCE" COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNER

BOISE, ID – (June 29, 2011) The Nonprofit “Making a Difference” Community Service Award is designed to showcase the most innovative examples of how Boise Chamber nonprofit member companies “do well and do good” in contributing to the social and economic well-being of the Boise community. The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2011 award winner is the Women's and Children's Alliance (WCA). The Chamber of Commerce applauds their hard work, commitment and contributions to the community.

The Women's & Children's Alliance (WCA) has been in the forefront of providing services to women, men and their children escaping domestic abuse and sexual assault. The WCA’s crisis program has evolved into one of the most vital, unduplicated, comprehensive programs in our community and region. The WCA is proud to be a community leader in providing critically needed services to women and children victimized by domestic and sexual violence and is currently celebrating 100 years of providing a safe place to live for women in our community. For more information visit www.wcaboise.org.

Nominations for next year's winner begins in April 2012.