The Top 15 companies in Southwest Michigan with 15 employees or less
Hi, this is Pat Moody! Join me and local business leaders as we identify fifteen dynamic small businesses making a difference in our community.
Introducing the Fifteen Under 15, a prestigious new recognition program reserved exclusively for the best small companies and organizations in our midst who have 15 or fewer employees.
The Class of 2020:
Every Town Needs a Good Hardware and Buchanan’s is Redbud Hardware
When the community of Buchanan watched as its last hardware store closed its doors on East Front Street in town 20 years ago in 2000, the gap it left on the local retail scene was seriously tangible.
From Garage to Greatness, JD’s Marina Motors Into the Winner’s Circle
We’ve all heard the Silicon Valley stories about high-tech start ups that were born of ideas hatched in one’s garage. Well, one of the Fifteen Under 15 winners for 2020 here in Michigan’s Great Southwest actually originated
True Love is When You Admire the Company You Work for So Much You Buy It
The ultimate testimony of dedication to your place of business is when you so deeply admire the company that you buy it for yourself and take over the reins. Such is the case of Fifteen Under 15
Biggby Coffee, Doing Well by Doing Good in Michigan’s Great Southwest
There’s an old adage that says, “You’ll do well, by doing good.” That concept has certainly paid dividends for Jim and Julie Thomsen at their Biggby Coffee shop in the Courthouse Square where they also own and
Advanced Family Eyecare: Preserving the One-on-One Dr./Patient Relationship
Sixteen years ago, Dr. Jeffery Scieszka, peered through the looking glass at the sector the health care industry that he had undertaken, and excelled at, and set his sights on the simple principle of preserving the one-on-one
Adams & Son, Inc. Heating & Cooling, the Coolest Company in the Field
While Adams & Son, Inc. Heating & Cooling was in the running to join the 2020 Class of the Moody on the Market Fifteen Under 15 Small Business Enterprises with 15 or fewer employees in Michigan’s Great
REQUIREMENTS:
Starting Friday, September 11, 2020, you will find a nomination form here at MoodyontheMarket.com.
Do you know a powerhouse small business that is making a positive impact in our community? Fill out the nomination form and submit it. Nominations go to a committee who will select the Fifteen best small companies with 15 or fewer employees for 2020. Nominations will be taken through October 4, 2020 at Midnight. In late October, we will unveil the Fifteen Under 15 on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM and 98.3 The Coast, and detail each company being recognized and honored in a special section inside MoodyontheMarket.com. Plus, all of the Fifteen Under 15 companies and their teams will be invited to a cocktail reception where they’ll be recognized and receive a handsome wall plaque for display at their business.
Eligibility Requirements
The Fifteen Under 15 recognizes the type of small business that everyone would like to be – they’re the companies that are going above and beyond for their team and the community, setting the gold standard for others to aspire to.
No matter the industry or sector, we’d love to hear about those stellar companies among us with 15 or fewer employees that are making a difference at their workplace, excelling in their industry and making valuable contributions to betterment of Michigan’s Great Southwest. These companies clearly stand head and shoulders above all others in the region and have been able to excel at what they do regularly. Those selected for representation in the Fifteen Under 15 will be those that set the tone for what every good company or organization should ascribe to in Michigan’s Great Southwest.
To nominate a business or organization, please keep reading and pay attention to the pointers below for a successful and competitive nomination. Nominations close Sunday, October 11, 2020, at 11:59 PM (EXTENDED from original deadline of October 4).
To submit a nomination, click the link during the nomination period above on this page to go to an online survey where you will be asked to answer a multitude of important questions about the business being nominated. Be sure to read the following information, which explains requirements and eligibility. Don’t forget to share about your nominations and spread the word about this program on social media using hashtag #Moody15Under15!
Before clicking the link to fill out the nomination form, please read the following requirements and tips for a successful nomination:
– Nominations close Sunday, October 11, 2020, at 11:59 PM.
– Nominee companies or organizations must be headquartered in the following Southwest Michigan counties: Berrien, Cass and Van Buren.
– In order to be considered eligible, nominee companies must have 15 or fewer employees.
– Selected companies are expected to provide a high resolution logo, and additionally be available for a short Q&A-style interview for the recognition on Moody on the Market.com in mid-October; failure to make time to complete these assets will result in disqualification from the program.
– Self-nominations ARE permitted for this program, but all entries will be scrutinized for completeness, correctness, and honesty, and decided by the committee.
– Nominations that are not substantially fully completed or that simply feature incomplete or cursory information will be at minimum given less than full consideration or at worst, be removed from consideration completely.
– One single nomination for your nominee company is requested. Multiple entries do NOT enhance a company or organization’s chances. Nominations featuring identical responses will be removed; please refrain from repeatedly submitting the same nomination or asking others to so on your behalf.
– Only one company nomination is permitted in each questionnaire. If you wish to submit more than one company or organization, you must submit separate nominations for each entry.
– It is highly encouraged to submit nominated companies that are actively engaged in best practices, have outside interests in the community that they are passionate about, and include any information you have on achievements and recognitions they have been honored for elsewhere in the community, in their industry, or among their peer groups as evidence of their own drive for excellence.
– Each essay question should be answered in complete sentences. Do not use bulleted or hyphenated lists unless they are appropriate to the question asked.
– Companies and organizations may only be selected for a single Fifteen Under 15 program within a 12 month period and may not be selected for the same program more than once. If a company or organization is chosen for this program, then they are automatically ineligible for any follow-up Fifteen Under 15 recognition in the future.
– Nominations must be submitted through this online process only and will not be accepted via email, or any other format under any circumstances.
– Nominated companies or organizations will be contacted by the selection committee to verify their willingness to participate, and to see if they can attend the reception in November.
Judging:
– A panel of independent judges will review each nomination submitted and assign a score to each entry. This is done privately, and the judges do not share information. The scores are totaled and compared to all entries submitted to help the selection committee determine the 15 honorees.
– Sponsors of this program are eligible to win provided they meet all eligibility requirements. Paying sponsors will not be weighted any differently or given any automatic ability to win this award. They will be judged or selected equally with all business nominations.
If your company or organization is chosen:
– Those who are chosen as the 15 honorees will be notified within 2-4 weeks after the entry deadline. All companies or organizations will be invited as guests to the Fifteen Under 15 Cocktail Reception (virtual or in-person) where they will have a table of eight reserved in their honor and be presented with their award. In addition the winners will be recognized in advertising promoting their recognition across Mid-West Family Broadcasting media properties.
The 2019 Fifteen Under 15
Click a photo or title to read the business profile.
A State Street Storefront That’s “A Hidden Gem”
Here’s a rhetorical question of sorts. How can you be “A hidden gem downtown St.Joseph!” when you’re anchored on the busiest street in the community’s central business district and directly across the street from the red hot
It’s the Golf Course for the Rest of Us
A small and scenic 18 hole public, family-owned and operated, golf course in rural Berrien County founded along Naomi Road outside of Eau Claire, that has survived tumultuous economic times, yet continues to prevail in an industry
Flooring the Region for Three Generations
The intrigue is piqued when the opening line reads, “It is hard to find a nicer, more honest guy, than Justin Mattson.” As you continue to read, however, empathy takes over when you learn that Justin recently
From Basement to Boardroom, Building the Brands of SWM
The annals of business history are riddled with stories of entrepreneurs who captured the essence of an idea and gave birth to their resultant companies in basements, garages, and even at the kitchen table. Scott Schonschack has
Way More Than Just a Local Gym and Growing by the Day
Back in the day a healthy dose of Special K cereal was purported to be an excellent start to your day, but a couple of other special “Ks” proved that you really need to do more than
A Clear Cut Choice Bolstered by the Right To Farm Act
It’s not terribly often that a start-up business actually faces roadblocks from the very municipality they select to be their future home. While some would have folded up their tent and disappeared into the night, a couple
The 2018 Fifteen Under 15
Click a photo or title to read the business profile.
The Hometown Brewery That Kick-Started a Watervliet Renaissance
It’s not at all uncommon to see a craft brewery bearing a BYOF sign. However, when you do, you might want to tip your hat to Dave Coyle and Ed Nash. Those are the guys who largely
Advocating For Children is Both Heart Wrenching & Rewarding in SW Michigan
Established in 1976, the Berrien County Council for Children (BCCC) was formed by individuals concerned with child welfare in Berrien County. Today, they are known as the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan and the incredible work
Eurisko is Greek For “I Discover,” and They’re Opening a Lot of Eyes for Job Seekers
Eurisko derives from the Greek language meaning, “I discover.” You could probably suggest no more perfect name for the small counseling, training and recovery company anchored at 2500 Niles Road in St. Joseph bearing that same name.
Even Times Square Tourists Have Seen the Handiwork of St. Joe’s Holt Bosse
Visitors to New York City likely have no clue who David Holt or Patrick Bosse are, but as another dynamic young team selected for inclusion in the ranks of the Top Fifteen Under 15 businesses in Michigan’s
Risking It All For a Dynamic New Business Model At Family Physicians of St. Joe
When it comes to healthcare, and primary care in particular, it has become increasingly difficult to remain successful as a small, independent practice. Larger companies now dominate the healthcare landscape, yet through innovation and a dedication to
A Health Care Provider With an Eye for Excellence
Anybody connected with or related to virtually any aspect of the health care industry today knows that the most distinctive challenge facing everyone in business and the rest of the community as well stems from changes in