Tanjee Lane, Tyler Marion, Ning Tinsley, Jessica Johnston and Nickie Hartsock of SPARCC were an event finalist.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Sarasota
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As this year's Frank G. Berlin Sr. Sarasota Business Awards began, there were patriotic colors in the room with performers wearing feathers the colors of the American flag.
As the event began, Heather Kasten, president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, compared the spirit of the country's founders to that of business leaders in the community.
"That same entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here in Sarasota, represented by the finalists that we get to celebrate today," she said.
The annual awards luncheon, held June 26 at The Ora, recognized 10 winning businesses from among a total of 30 finalists across all categories.
Recipients highlighted the determination and hard work required to run a business, including DeAnna King, who accepted the Breakthrough Business of the Year award for her business, King HR Services Inc.
She said although at one point she felt discouraged about moving forward with the business, not knowing how to scale it to the next level, she eventually realized that all she needed to do was make use of the resources she had available.
She called receiving the award "amazing, a bit overwhelming," adding that, "all of the hard work that I put into the business, and being in the community and helping the clients is paying off."
She said of the award, "I think that it shows other entrepreneurs or business owners that you can do it, and to just keep on going."
Tatiana Hernandez and Gina Wojciechowski bring some patriotic colors to the reception.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Singer/performer Rob Kevlin sings "America the Beautiful."
Photo by Ian Swaby
Emily Shaw, Jennifer Manzanilla Dolgetta, Andy Roberts, Olivia Turpening and Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County, gather at a table.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Bayan Sabermanesh, director of operations at The Ritz-Carlton, accepts the Hospitality Business of the Year award from Erin Duggan, president and CEO of Visit Sarasota County.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Aginto founder Chris Williams reads out the winner for the Large Business of the Year award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kevin and Melissa McLin of Blue Collar Roofing speak about receiving the Medium Business of the Year award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Heather Todd of Teen Court shares enthusiasm about the organization having become a finalist, with Mitch Lomazov, a keynote speaker and certified coach.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Frances Vives and her husband Jaime Vives of Vives Digital, a finalist for Woman-Owned Business of the Year; Tim Solomon and Jan Solomon of Key Sailing, a finalist for Breakthrough Business of the Year, and official America250 artist Jing Herman, gather together.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Patti Flores and Mayelin Rios enjoy the meal.
Photo by Ian Swaby
James Minor of Harvest House speaks about the organization receiving the Non-Profit of the Year Award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Children First CEO Philip Tavill accepts the Workforce Development & Innovation award from Josh Matlock, President and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Chris Fitzgerald and Mya Giles of Tommy's Express Car Wash speak about receiving the Large Business of the Year award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kaitlyn Perez of Kaitlyn Perez Communications speaks about receiving the Rising Star award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Luke Hatanaka and his girlfriend Kayla Huff of Jesse's Garage European Auto Repair, a finalist for the Medium Business of the Year award, pose together.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jill Athridge of Stage Door Studios accepts the Small Business of the Year award from Josh Talkington, director of communications with the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
Photo by Ian Swaby
The event celebrated America's 250th anniversary.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Heather Kasten greets DeAnna King of King HR Services Inc., recipient of the Breakthrough Business of the Year award.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Chris Voelker, owner of State Street Eating House + Cocktails, accepts the award for Woman-Owned Business of the Year.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Phillip Lanham, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, recipient of the Community Impact Award, speaks as award presenter Eric Troyer of Kerkering Barberio & Co. Heather Kasten, president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, look on.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ruby Rug and Aydar Rakhmatullin welcome visitors in the lobby.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ed Hill, vice president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, speaks during the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kimberly Bleach of Bank of America reads out the recipient of the Breakthrough Business of the Year award, as Heather Kasten, president and CEO at The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, looks on.
