The spirit of the CanadianSME Small Business Awards is to celebrate the power of dreams, layered with the personal determination and ambition that turns those dreams into reality. As a 2022 judge for The Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, I was inspired by the incredible new ideas and initiatives put forward by small business owners across Canada. In celebrating these ideas and success stories, we support and encourage resilience and creativity among Canadian small businesses, and GoDaddy is proud to support entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to help them feel confident at every step of their journey.

I was privileged with the opportunity to participate as a judge for the SME Awards for 2022. It was such an empowering opportunity to learn about all of the fantastic entrepreneurs and some of their journeys. I am humbled to have been asked to help select winners from amongst this group of outstanding contributors to Canada. The stories I encountered have created so much optimism that our future is bright.

Canadian SME Magazine is a must read for all Canadian business owners. I am honored to be able to learn about so many great businesses as a judge for the Canadian SME Business awards, and I encourage all businesses to both subscribe to the magazine and to apply for the awards every year.

The CanadianSME National Business Awards is such an important event where entrepreneurs, innovators and small business owners alike are recognized and celebrated for their contributions to Canada’s economy. I was fortunate to be a judge this year and it was such an amazing experience to be able to witness the passion and dedication of many Canadian entrepreneurs. It’s very important to support entrepreneurs as they have such a positive impact in their communities while fueling the Canadian economy through their determination and innovative ideas and I’m honoured to be involved with this event.

The Experience as a judge was so insightful and learning about the amazing entrepreneurs which make up our current Canadian landscape was inspiring. I was amazed at the innovative solutions that were implemented by many of the competitors and how so many creative thinkers were showcased as participants. The winners did have their work cut out for them! It was tough competition the winners can certainly be proud of their accomplishments.

At Xero, we’re passionate about technology that makes the lives of small businesses easier and their operations more efficient. We were honoured to sponsor the Technopreneur of the Year category in this year’s awards. Being the judge of this category allowed me to see the innovative ways small businesses are embracing technology to drive growth and it was truly impressive. I’m really excited by each and every business that entered and encourage those that are contemplating entering to submit next year as it’s a brilliant way to build awareness about your business and meet peers in the industry. Congratulations again to all the winners and nominees.

As a judge in the Annual CanadianSME Small Business Awards, I was deeply moved and inspired by the ingenuity, creativity, and impact displayed by Canada’s small businesses. The innovative ideas and courageous spirit of not only the winners, but all the participants, have not only transformed their own businesses but also left a profound mark on the Canadian economy. These businesses embody the essence of entrepreneurship, inspiring us all to dream bigger and make a positive difference in our communities. I am in awe of their unwavering dedication and applaud their exceptional achievements in shaping a brighter future for Canada. I am honoured to have been part of this experience and I hope to get the pleasure to do it again.

As a judge, I was honored and humbled to have the opportunity to learn about so many incredible business ventures, start ups, business leaders across Canada. Also, the Canadian SME team was so helpful and responsive with any questions or clarifications I needed to ensure I could do the best job. My most memorable moment was meet my fellow judges and meeting the nominees at the awards ceremony.

As a returning judge for the CanadianSME Small Business Awards 2022, I was again inspired by the remarkable experience. The event brought together a diverse range of SMEs, each presenting their innovative ideas and solutions. Witnessing the dedication and passion of these entrepreneurs left an indelible mark on me. The positive effects of supporting these businesses were evident, not only in their growth but also in the wider communities they operate within. One standout moment was witnessing the transformative power of a leader whose ideas gained such commanding traction in their market, they had to promptly scale up by investing in relationships with trusted advisors to help shape their future. It was an honor to be part of such an impactful event for small businesses in Canada.