Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year

Nomination Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber Small Business Committee will recognize the Small Businessperson of the Year in the BradleyCounty area at a luncheon on Monday, May 8, during Business Development Week. Each year the nation recognizes individuals who own and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The winner of the Cleveland/Bradley County award can choose to compete at the state and national levels. All nominees, in order to qualify for the state and national Small Business Week awards, must be residents of and employed in the United States and will be subject to background checks. Small businesses owned and operated by nominees must comply with federal civil rights laws for further competition.

GENERAL CRITERIA

Nominations will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Definition: A small business is considered to be one that employs fewer than 200 full-time employees and is locally owned and operated (within the Chamber's service area of Cleveland and BradleyCounty).
  • Eligibility: The nominee must be a current member in good standing of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and must have joined same for at least one year prior to the deadline for nominations.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The nomination must contain all information requested as well as written paragraphs for all areas so noted. The required criteria covered in the nomination must include the following:

STAYING POWER—A substantiated history as an established business. Minimum of three years in business.

GROWTH IN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES—A benchmark to judge the impact of the business on the job market (maximum of 200 full-time).

INCREASE IN SALES AND/OR UNIT VOLUME—An indication of continued growth.

CURRENT AND PAST FINANCIAL REPORTS—Substantiate the financial position of the business. This information will only be requested of the three finalists for the award. The nominee shall submit a profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for the last three complete years as verified by either the accountant, attorney or banker for the business. All nominations should have the financial information prepared for submission within three days of the close of nominations. The P&L and balance sheet will be viewed only by the selection judges and will remain confidential.

INNOVATIVENESS OF PRODUCT OR SERVICE OFFERED—Illustrations of the creativity and imagination of the nominee. Attach a paragraph of 500 words or less titled “Innovativeness” describing same.

RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY—Attach written documentation of examples of problems faced by the nominee's business and the methods used to solve them (no more than 500 words).

EVIDENCE OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE NOMINEE TO AID COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS—Attach a list of the nominee's involvement in or contributions to civic/community, charitable, religious and professional organizations. Include evidence of the nominee's effort to assist other small business.

Definitions: Involvement = Volunteer time

Contribution = Donation of funds, goods or services and/or other evidence of the nominee's effort to assist other small businesses.

FORMAT

The nomination should be in narrative form and must contain the following

  1. Cover Sheet: The cover sheet or introductory page must include:
  • Nominator Information: Name, address, and telephone number
  • Nominee Information: Name, address and telephone number. Name and type of nominee's business.
  • Statement: A clearly articulated statement of why the nominee deserves to be selected and recognized.
  1. Nomination Information: All selection criteria points outlined must be addressed.
  1. Letters: No more than two (2) letters of endorsement may be included.
  1. Financial Information: Must be submitted in sealed envelopes upon request within three days of the close of nominations.

Previous Winners: 1994—Ron Braam, Manufacturers Chemicals; 1995—Susan Shelton, Bradley News Weekly; 1996—Mel Bedwell, Cleveland Business Machines; 1997—Larry McDaniel, Town Squire; 1998—Reba Garrison, State Farm Insurance; 1999—Jim Duggan, Robinson Building Centers; 2000—Cathy Boettner, Cleveland Tubing; 2001—Dan Cooke, Cooke’s Food Stores/Panera Bread; 2002—Kay Jenkins-Cowan, Jenkins Deli; 2003—Kenny Higgins, Santek Environmental; 2004—Loye Hamilton, Coldwell Banker/Hamilton & Associates; 2005—Ross Tarver, Tarver Distributing.

DEADLINE

Mail or hand deliver the nomination by April 12, 2006:

Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award
Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Inc.

225 Keith Street, SW

P.O. Box 2275

Cleveland, TN37320-2275

REQUIRED INFORMATION
MEL BEDWELL

SMALL BUSINESSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Name of Nominee______

Sponsor:______

Include this form, immediately following the cover sheet, with the nomination. Please fill in any blanks as indicated and attach narrative information as indicated.

  1. STAYING POWER—Minimum of three years in business.

Date Business Formed:______

Number of Years Continuous Operation:______

Form of Business (give dates for all that apply)

Partnership: from_____to_____

Proprietorship: from_____to_____

S Corporation: from_____to_____

Corporation: from_____to_____

If business has not been in continuous operation, attach a paragraph titled “Staying Power” (of 100 words or less) to explain any gaps.

  1. GROWTH IN NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES (maximum of 200 full-time)

Number of employees in first year of operation: ______

Current number of employees:______

  1. INCREASE IN SALES AND/OR UNIT VOLUME—An indication of continued growth.

Attach a statement indicating the growth of the company.

4. CURRENT AND PAST FINANCIAL REPORTS—Substantiate the improved financial condition of the business. This information will be requested of the three finalists for the award. The nominee shall submit a profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for the last three complete years on the attached form as verified by the accountant, attorney, or banker for the business. (The P&L and balance sheet will be viewed by the selection judges and remain confidential.)

  1. INNOVATIVENESS OF PRODUCT OR SERVICE OFFERED—Attach a paragraph of 500 words or less titled “Innovativeness” describing same.
  1. RESPONSE TO ADVERSITY—Attach written documentation of examples of problems faced by the nominee's business and the methods used to solve them. ( No more than 500 words)
  1. EVIDENCE OF CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE NOMINEE TO AID COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS—Attach description of the nominee’s efforts in this area.

Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award
Financial Information
(only required of finalists)

First Most Recent Year / Second Most Recent Year / Third Most Recent Year
Gross Receipts
COGS/COS
Gross Profit
Operating Expenses
Other Income
Net Profit Per Books
Current Assets
Fixed Assets (Net)
Other Assets
Total Assets
Current Liabilities
Long-term Debt
Total Liabilities
Equity

Verified by:______

Title:______(must be your accountant, attorney, banker.)

1