The Neepawa and District Chamber of Commerce has recognized an innovative business and a crew of selfless volunteers.
It's Time - the store with small town hospitality and big city results - and Neepawa's volunteer firefighter brigade were honoured at the Chamber's annual general meeting Monday night.
Getting recognition as Business of the Year, It's Time owner Ineke Mack and staff were applauded for building from the ground up to establish a successful business for Neepawa and area consumers.
Starting with an embroidery operation, Mack and It's Time expanded to a much larger store featuring stylish clothing, footwear and jewelry, among other offerings.
It's Time had quickly became a successful business, but it continued to evolve to improve service and increase its customer base.
The business has taken over its building's basement space with a wellness concept, offering yoga with health products. Mack was also recently able to sell her embroidery operation after establishing it so well.
"It was a small, small business to start with and she turned it almost into two or three businesses," presenter and nominator Michelle Gerrard said of It's Time. "She sees opportunities and goes for them. She is fearless in what she does."
In being chosen, Mack's innovative approach to ownership and operation was also credited as being what helps her stand out amongst a strong business community.
"She's very innovative. She was already using social media years ago to improve her business," Gerrard said. "She sees trend and she uses them to her business benefit."
Mack was also credited for her community involvement, volunteering on the Roxy Theatre, Lily Festival, Chamber and Manitoba Homecoming boards, as well as being involved in Neepex concert planning, to name a few.
Gerrard also credited Mack's whole family for being extremely community-minded.
Meanwhile, the community's Neepawa Fire Department was recognized as group winner of the Volunteer of the Year award.
The department, which currently has about 22 members, is volunteer-based.
Presenter Jim Cockburn, who directed his comments as "a tribute to firefighters" pointed to a variety of reasons the firefighters were deserving of the award.
"The diversity to where they come from, their dedication to the community as public servants; and firefighting itself is very dangerous work," Cockburn told The Neepawa Press. "And there is the commitment the men and women give to the job."
Neepawa's volunteer brigade is literally called into action on a moment's notice, with its members willing to drop whatever they have planned to help protect their community.
For incidents ranging from fires to car accidents, Neepawa's firefighters give their time day and night.
Cockburn also pointed out these volunteers' employers, who are understanding enough to allow their workers to leave mid-shift, are allowing them to provide these services and should be commended.