2019 Small Business of the Year Awards
At the Small Business Forum hosted in Brenham on June 5, six local businesses received an impressive distinction, having been selected as the “Small Business of the Year” for 2019. The awards were given out in two categories: businesses with 1-25 employees and those with 26-100. The Small Business Forum was co-hosted by the Brenham/Washington County Chamber, Burleson County Chamber and Navasota-Grimes County Chamber.
For the Washington County awards, Chamber president Wende Ragonis remarked that it was a difficult selection process. She explained that both of this year’s winners “truly stand out for their commitment to excellence and growth in their industries and for providing their customers with amazing products and services.” LJ’s BBQ and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative are this year’s award winners.
The first award (business size 1-25) was presented to LJ’s BBQ. LJ’s is a local family owned and operated restaurant that started with hard work and the support of other Washington County small businesses. Their humble beginnings started as a pop-up/food truck at such places as Home Sweet Farm Market and Biergarten, Brazos Valley Brewing Company, and Roux Street, then opening a temporary location at Corner Liquor Store. They are now located at 1407 West Main Street. Corey and Leah Cook were raised in Brenham, and Matt loved visiting his grandmother (the original “LJ) and family throughout his life, finally moving here in 2015.
LJ’s has generously contributed to the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Lions Club, CASA for Kids, Grace Lutheran School, Brenham ISD Arts & Appetizers, the Brenham and Burton PTOs, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Day School, Washington County Domestic Task Force, and many more community organizations. They were happy to feed the Texas National Guard when they were staged in Brenham during Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. They are huge supporters of the Cubs and Cubettes.
LJ’s mission has always been and continues to be to serve a quality product to the great people and visitors of Washington County while providing exemplary customer service. This great BBQ and great service earned them a spot on Texas Monthly’s Best BBQ Bites in 2018. They welcome visitors from all of over and will treat each and every one of them like locals and are sure to point them in the right direction toward all the other local businesses.
The second Small Business of the Year award (business size 26-100) was presented to Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and their Member Services Center staff, linemen and crew in Washington County. Bluebonnet Electric has been in this community since 1939 and is committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable power to 14 Central Texas counties. As they celebrate 80 years of service to its members, they will also be celebrating reaching another milestone of 100,000 meters, more than 14,000 of those in Washington County.
Six principles guide Bluebonnet and provide an ethical foundation for everything the organization does. These six principles are: Safety, Courage, Respect, Reliability, Community and Love.
Bluebonnet has supported: Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Burton Chamber of Commerce, Chappell Hill Chamber of Commerce, Burton ISD, Brenham ISD, Brenham Education Foundation, Washington County Fair, , Faith Mission, Washington County Little League, Brenham Maifest Association, Washington on the Brazos State Park Association, Burton Heritage Society, Brenham Heritage Society, Chappell Hill Historical Society, Texas Cotton Gin Museum, Blinn College, City of Brenham, Camp For All Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, , Brenham American Legion, Burton Volunteer Fire Department, Brenham Arts and Music Festival and many, many more.
General Manager Matt Bentke was recently recognized as a Distinguished Alumni of Brenham ISD, is an Executive Member of Washington County Economic Development Foundation and Scott and White Board of Director.
Their Brenham Member Services Center is located at 2401 US Hwy. 290 W.
The two winners of the Burleson County Small Business of the Year awards were Double Creek Crossing and Evers and Sons. Sarah Horne of Edward Jones and Vice President of the Burleson County Chamber presented the awards.
Double Creek Crossing is an outdoor wedding venue and reception hall located amidst an abundance of majestic oak trees, colorful gardens, and fountains surround the 25 acre property. Ronnie and Leah Smith’s love for Caldwell, TX and each other goes way back. Before opening Double Creek Crossing in 2009, they grew up in Caldwell to eventfully marry in 1974. Living in North Texas, Ronnie served as a BNSF Railway dispatcher, while Leah lived her life as a nurse and a mother to three beautiful children, Jennifer, Jerry, and Kelsey. After planning her children’s weddings and the blessing of inheriting land, Leah researched Burleson and Brazos County outdoor wedding venues. In doing so, it sparked a new passion and they knew it was time to head home to Caldwell to follow their dream of opening a one-of-a-kind event venue. Double Creek Crossing broke ground in 2009 and hasn’t slowed down since.
Evers and Sons was founded in 1981. They have developed a reputation for excellence, experience, service and efficiency in oil and gas construction. As one of the leading process facility/pipeline contractors, Evers & Sons is committed to exceeding expectations for their valued clients. They are licensed as an oil & gas contractor in Texas to work in more than 30 states across the U.S. and have over 80 master service agreements in place with the nation's leading energy companies.
The winners of the Navasota-Grimes County Small Business of the Year awards were Taqueria La Escondida and Mid-South Synergy. The Chamber Executive Director Johnny McNally presented the awards.
From a modest opening at the back of a western wear store, the owners of Taqueria La Escondida have built a thriving business, already having expanded once. And now they are working on a second expansion. This is all over a period of a few short years.
McNally stated that the owners, Aracely and Javier Saenz, are a pleasure to work with. They’ve been sponsors of youth events, High School Football at Navasota, the Chamber of Commerce, and their Cinco de Mayo festival. Taqueria La Escondida appears at nearly every city event to cook, and they make an excellent product.
Next awarded were Mid-South Synergy. They are involved in every community and youth activity in Grimes County. From the county fair, to local car shows, to education, certainly the Chamber of Commerce, toy drives, food drives, scholarships, etc.
This is on top of their primary responsibility of providing power to thousands of Grimes County residents. In this capacity, they have an excellent reputation for customer service and dependability.
Mid-South recently invested further in their community by building a solar panel field that allows its customers to opt into solar power for their homes. This is not only cost-effective but is ecologically beneficial. It is this cutting-edge, forward thinking that has made Mid-South a great community partner.
Speakers were featured at this event included Matt Prochaska of the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation; John Romero from the Texas A&M Cyber Readiness Center; Mark Winchester from US Small Business Administration; Ashley Freeman from PricewaterhouseCoopers; Dr. Nathan Bryan from Baylor College of Medicine; and Tee Dippel of Brenham National Bank, who served as M.C. for the event.
Headline sponsors included Brenham National Bank, Citizens State Bank, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, plus there were exhibitors and table sponsors.
Another Small Business Forum will be held in June 2020, and nominations will be sought in the spring for next year’s Small Business of the Year awards.