By Marina Gomide
SMALL business owners and employees from across Glasshouse Country and surrounds were recognised for their exceptional innovation and customer service at the Glass House Small Business Awards 2022 last night (August 23).
The ‘Glassies’, an initiative of Glasshouse MP Andrew Powell, was held at Hinterland Hideaways in front of dozens of business owners and special guests.
Montville’s Clock Shop took home the Gold Business Award with husband and wife owners Holly and Daniel Hoffman telling GC&M News that winning the award was a lovely pat on the back for all their hard work.
“I was shocked at first and then went on to choking back tears because it was just such a gratifying and heart-warming feeling knowing all the struggles were worthwhile,” Holly said.
Holly and Daniel bought the shop off Daniel’s parents two weeks before COVID-19 lockdowns began in 2020, leading them to spend two years struggling to maintain the family business afloat. Now it seems to have recovered and is taking flight, celebrating its 30th anniversary next year.
The other winner handpicked by Andrew Powell, receiving the Gold Employee Award, went to Kerri Sneddon from Woodford Barber Shop and Colour Bar.
First-time nominee Kerri said that she was honoured just to be amongst all the other amazing nominees and never expected to win a Gold Award on her first ever nomination.
“I’m just over the moon with how awesome this community is, and this is definitely a highlight of my career,” she said.
Being a qualified hairdresser, Kerri has helped advance the business by expanding from barber shop to colouring bar, building her own little salon room in the back of the shop. She also runs a women’s wellness group outside of work, dedicated to women’s emotional, physical and mental health.
Amongst the Silver Award winners of the night, selected by the Chamber presidents, was Maleny’s most popular pizza maker Jennifer Bernasconi, from Jens Woodfired Pizza.
While being one of two winners unable attend, Jen said that waking up to the news she won the Silver Employee Award was surreal.
“It’s so cool and exciting because I never thought I had a chance and am actually wondering why they would pick me,” she joked.
Jen opened her business eight years ago, after a friend asked her to take over a small kitchen inside Finbars. Being a free-spirited hippie, Jen agreed, even with no pizza making experience. Now, she and her small team make over 400 pizzas from Thursday to Friday, sometimes having a wait time of two hours.
These are just some of the amazing winners of the Glassie Awards.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
For a full list of winners, see below:
Gold Award Winners
Gold Business Award: Clock Shop Montville
Gold Employee Award: Kerri Sneddon – Woodford Barber Shop
Glasshouse Region
Silver Business Award: Mooloolah Newsagency
Bronze Business Award: Tamara Hazelden Freedom Property
Silver Employee Award: Jodie Pember – Mooloolah IGA
Bronze Employee Award: Cassi Nuske – McGrath Real Estate Beerwah
Maleny Region
Silver Business Award: VIP Wildlife
Bronze Business Award: Maple Street Co-op
Silver Employee Award: Jen Bernasconi – Jens Woodfired Pizzas
Bronze Employee Award: Jemma Mays – Goodstart Early Learning Maleny
Montville Region
Silver Business Award: Crystal Multiverse
Bronze Business Award: Montville Pharmacy
Silver Employee Award: Rachele Coates – The Barn on Flaxton
Bronze Employee Award: Shaile Wilson – Homegrown Café
Moreton Bay Region
Silver Business Award: Rayview Produce
Bronze Business Award: Alina K Aesthetics
Silver Employee Award: Brendan Craig – Woolworths Woodford
Bronze Employee Award: Katreena Lucas – Kids Capers Wamuran
Photos courtesy of Sunshine Coast Foodie, Basset Barks Pty Ltd and Andrew Powell MP
